The Odessa High coaching staff likes to tell its players, win or lose, that sun is going to come up the next day.
The Bronchos were happy to see the sunrise Saturday and the day got much brighter following the news about quarterback Diego Cervantes.
Cervantes exited Friday’s loss to Midland Legacy midway through the first quarter, injured on an innocuous tackle as he tried for extra yards to keep the drive alive.
“It’s more of a sprain,” Odessa High head coach Dusty Ortiz said. “It was a third-and-long play and he just gave that extra effort; that’s just Diego being Diego.
“He put his arm on the ground to get some extra yardage and twisted his elbow. We talk about it, every time he gets hit we all cringe, I know I cringe.”
At that point, it was next man up for Odessa High and wide receiver Jaylien Jones went behind center and struggled.
He was followed by Ivan Carreon, who also struggled. Jones went back in when the Bronchos decided to sit Carreon as well and finished the game.
“Jaylien showed some really good things in practice and he didn’t play that bad,” Ortiz said. “Getting thrown into that situation would have been tough for anyone.
“When he came back to the sideline, we made sure to talk to him about what he was doing well and to make sure we kept encouraging him.”
There were other cringe-worthy moments for the Bronchos (3-5 overall, 1-3 in District 2-6A) as kicker Camilo Nicolas, for the second time this year, was injured making a tackle on special teams.
Running back Javonte Delce added to the increased heart rate when he didn’t immediately get up from a rush over the right side nearing the midway point of the second quarter.
After talking with the OHS training staff, Delce set his helmet aside and become a spectator for the final 30 minutes.
“Delce could have returned,” Ortiz said. “He took a hard hit and that was our call, given the situation.”
The situation was that, with just under seven minutes remaining in the first half, Midland Legacy already led 44-0.
The Rebels (6-1, 3-0) amassed 459 yard of offense in the first half, with running back Makhilyn Young running up 140 yards rushing on eight carries, with three touchdowns.
Midland Legacy quarterback Marcos Davila was 13-of-15 passing in the opening half for 274 yards and three scores as the Rebels stomped on the gas and never looked back.
“Legacy is a very good football team,” Ortiz said. “They were very physical and made all the right plays.
“They have the ability to play with the teams from Fort Worth.”
Odessa High has just two regular-season games remaining and must win both to have a chance to make the postseason.
The Bronchos will travel to face Abilene High next week before hosting Wolfforth Frenship on Oct. 29 at Ratliff Stadium.
Odessa High’s bye week is Nov. 5, the final night of the regular season.
“We talked about having to win 2 of 3 to make the playoffs and that hasn’t changed,” Ortiz said. “The easy solution is that we go to Abilene High and take care of business if we want to control our own destiny.
“They (the players) are pretty upbeat, up at the fieldhouse working out today (Saturday). We talked to the after the game that it was time to stop focusing on Legacy and to start focusing on Abilene High.”
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Midland Legacy 65, Odessa High 0
Midland Legacy…… 30.. 21 14 0 — 65
Odessa High…………. 0…. 0 0 0 — 0
SCORING SUMMARY
First Quarter
Legacy: Makhilyn Young 9 run (Gunner Meade kick), 8:26. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:21. Key play: On third-and-6 as the Rebels 44, quarterback Marcos Davila hit wide receiver Donny Bishop ono the right side for 27 yards to the OHS 29.
Legacy: Makhilyn Young 7 run (Addison Akbar run), 3;40. Drive: 7 plays, 72 yards, 2:19. Key play: On third-and-7 from the OHS 44, running back Makhilyn Young swept around the left side for 29-yard gaine to the 15.
Legacy: Nate Suttle 28 pass from Marcos Davila (Gunner Mead kick), 2:38. Drive: 1 play, 28 yards, :11.
Legacy: Makhilyn Young 71 run (Addison Akbar kick, :02. Drive: 1 play, 71 yards, :12.
Second Quarter
Legacy: Donny Bishop 47 pass from Marcos Davila (Gunner Meade kick), 8:40. Drive: 2 plays, 58 yards, :22.
Legacy: Addison Akbar 3 run (Gunner Meade kick), 7:01. Drive: 4 plays, 28 yards, 1:37. Key plays: Back-to-back first downs to open the drive put the Rebels on the Bronchos’ 4.
Legacy: Deonta Sonnier 68 pass from Marcos Davila (Gunner Meade kick), :21. Drive: 86 yards, 2 plays, :42. Key play: After the Bronchos were assessed a personal foul penalty that moved the ball to the Rebels’ 32, quarterback Marcos Davila found wide receiver Deonta Sonnier in the middle of the field and he outran the defense to the end zone.
Third Quarter
Legacy: John Washington 37 interception return (Gunner Meade kick), 11:45.
Legacy: Makhilyn Young 23 run (Gunner Meade kick), 7:01. Drive: 6 plays, 67 yards, 2:58. Key play: On second-and-5 at the OHS 23, running back Makhilyn Young took the handoff over the right side, bounced out toward the sidelne and raced to the plyon for the score.
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TEAM STATISTICS
Legacy Odessa High
First Downs…………………… 27…………………. 6
Total Yards…………………. 611……………… 171
Rushes-Yards………… 42-288…………… 34-97
Passing……………………… 423……………….. 74
Comp-Att-Int…………. 19-23-1…………. 7-24-4
Fumbles-Lost………………. 4-4………………. 1-1
Punts-Avg……………….. 2-27.5………….. 7-34.5
Penalties-Yards…………. 6-47…………….. 4-30
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INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Midland Legacy: Makhilyn Young 12-184, Addison Akbar 3-29, Mason Daehling 7-30, Faustino Salazar 7-26, Donny Bishop 3-7, Logan Kinne 1-3, Marcos Davila 2-(-1).
Odessa High: Terrance Samuel 1-24, Dajuan Green 6-17, Marcos Marichalar 7-17, Adrian Madrid 1-16, James Fogle 6-15, Jaylien Jones 2-8, Diego Cervantes 2-4, Javonte Delce 6-(-2), Ivan Carreon, 3-(-2),
Passing
Midland Legacy: Marcos Davila 15-17-0—297, Mason Daehling 3-5-0—255, Addison Akbar 1-1-0—1.
Odessa High: Jaylien Jones 2-11-4—43, Diego Cervantes 4-6-0—29, Ivan Carreon 1-7-0—2.
Receiving
Midland Legacy: Donny Bishop 3-82, Nate Suttle 5-73, Deonta Sonnier 3-73, Makhilyn Young 2-50, Drew Martin 2-23, Michael Valles 2-20, Addison Akbar 1-10.
Odessa High: Terrance Samuel 2-42, Adrian Madrid 3-14, Ivan Carreon 1-10, Ethan Alvarado 1-8
Interceptions
Midland Legacy: John Washington 3-72, Angelo Canderlaria 1-0.
