The Odessa High football team is taking its show on the road.
For the first time in 2022, the Bronchos will occupy the visitors’ side of the scoreboard when they travel to face Amarillo High at 7 p.m. Friday at Dick Bivins Stadium.
Head coach Dusty Ortiz is looking forward to seeing how his team travels, along with how well it responds from last week’s loss at the hands of Keller High.
It was the first loss of the season for the Bronchos (2-1).
“That score was self-inflicted,” Ortiz said. “When you look back at the video and we don’t get any points, twice, inside the red zone and we extend two of Keller’s drives with penalties; the score didn’t reflect the whole game.
“When you play a team like Keller you are going to learn a lot about yourself and that’s what we took away from the game. We are going to improve on what we learned and I fully expect us to play better this week.”
Odessa High will be the third District 2-6A team that the Sandies (1-2) have faced this season.
Amarillo High opened its schedule with a loss to Midland Legacy, lost in Week 2 to Cleveland High of Albuquerque, N.M., and then defeated Midland High last week, 27-8, to get in the win column.
Quarterback Mason Graham leads the Sandies, having completed 44 of 72 passes for 598 yards and six touchdowns, with four interceptions.
Running back Pius Vokes has 31 carries for 169 yard and two scores and defensive back Creed Perkins leads the team with 34 tackles through three games.
Ortiz understands what the Bronchos are getting ready to face.
“They are a spread team,” he said. “They are going to come out quick and they have a lot of tight-end formations.
“Amarillo made Midland High put the ball on the ground and that’s what you have to do against that offense. So, taking care of the football is important.”
>> FINALLY, A FRIDAY: The Odessa High football team opened its 2022 season on Friday, Aug. 26, with an overtime victory against Lubbock Monterey at Ratliff Stadium.
Since then, the Bronchos have played back-to-back Thursday night contests, against El Paso Americas and Keller High.
They won the first won and struggled in the second.
Odessa High is back on Friday this week.
“It’s nice to play on Friday again,” Ortiz said. “We got that extra day of practice and were able to let them (the players) know that all of our goals are still intact.”
The Bronchos, however, shouldn’t get too comfortable on Friday.
Next week’s game against Schertz Clemens will be played at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, at Ratliff Stadium.
The Bronchos will then be off for their bye week on Sept. 30 before opening District 2-6A play against Permian on Friday, Oct. 7.
>> IT’S BEEN A WHILE: The Bronchos haven’t faced Amarillo High since a 28-21 victory in 2017.
Before that, the Sandies had been riding a seven-game winning streak against Odessa High, winning each matchup from 2010-2016.
The Bronchos set the program’s single-game mark for offense (700) during a 55-31 victory against Amarillo High in 2008 that clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 1997.
>> LOWER LEVELS: The Bronchos didn’t have any junior varsity or freshmen games due to the Thursday varsity contest against Keller High.
>> Follow Lee Scheide on Twitter at @OALeeScheide
ODESSA HIGH PLAYER OF THE WEEK
IVAN CARREON
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 195
Class: Jr.
Position: WR/P
Last Week: Carreon caught nine passes for 188 yards and one touchdown and rushed five times for 10 yards and two touchdowns. 147 of his reception yards came in the second half.
This season: Has 23 receptions for a state-best 579 yards and six touchdowns and has rushed seven times for 20 yards and three touchdowns.
GAME DAY
ODESSA HIGH (2-1) AT AMARILLO HIGH (1-2)
7 tonight, Dick Bivins Stadium, Amarillo
Series: Odessa High leads, 30-21
Last Season: Did not play
Radio: FM-99.1 (KHKX)
Web: kicks99.net
Live updates:
On Twitter at OALeeScheide
KEYS TO VICTORY
>> NEED TO RESPOND: Last week against Keller High, the Bronchos found themselves behind on the scoreboard after the visitors’ opening drive and never recovered. Odessa High has an offense that can move the ball, but little mistakes got the Bronchos off track against the Indians.
>> NEED THE EXTRA POSSESSIONS: The Bronchos have yet to force a turnover in 2022 and that has kept their defense on the field for long stretches.
>> WHEN IN DOUBT: Bronchos’ quarterback Jaylien Jones has learned early that when plays break down, looking downfield for wide receiver Ivan Carreon seems to work as the duo already has connected 23 times for 579 yards and six touchdowns.
— Lee Scheide
BRONCHOS BREAKDOWN
Opponents to Watch
QB MASON GRAHAM: Is 44-of-72 passing for 598 yards and six touchdowns, with four interceptions.
RB PIUS VOKES: Has 31 carries for 169 yards and two touchdowns.
DB CREED PERKINS: Leader of the Sandies’ defense with 34 tackles.
NUMBERS GAME
0 — Number of takeaways by Odessa High or Amarillo High this season.
5 — Number of years since the Bronchos and Sandies have played.
7 — Number of consecutive losses by Odessa High in the series (2010-16).
SCHEDULE
August
26 Lub. Monterey W, 42-39 (OT)
September
1 El Paso Americas W, 49-20
8 Keller High L, 50-21
16 at Amarillo High 7 p.m.
24 Schertz Clemens 4 p.m.
30 Bye
October
7 Permian 7 p.m.
14 at San Angelo Central 7 p.m.
21 Midland High 7 p.m.
28 Wolfforth Frenship 7 p.m.
November
4 at Midland Legacy 7 p.m.
OHS STARTERS
Offense
Quarterback
10 Jaylien Jones Sr.
Running back
8 Jorge Valdez Soph.
Wide receivers
1 Ivan Carreon Jr.
7 Kielan Green Sr.
88 Brendyn Thompson Soph.
Tight end
18 Blane Mendoza Sr.
Tackles
59 Santiago Garcia Jr
57 Jose Guerrero Sr.
Guards
62 Jonathan Dozal Sr.
70 Gerardo Vazquez Jr
Center
66 Damian Dominugez Jr.
Defense
Defensive ends
42 Marcos Marquez Sr.
53 Isaiah Essary Sr.
Defensive tackles
44 Jamikel Cobb Sr.
63 De’Mareon Gray Sr.
Linebackers
19 Jesus Carrasco Sr.
32 Mikahel De Leon Sr.
Cornerbacks
11 Zayne Minjarez Jr.
20 Adrian Muzquiz Sr.
Safeties
6 Jayven Gonzalez Jr.
17 Dreshon Douglas Jr.
25 Isaiah Munoz Soph.
Specialists
Place kicker
26 Aidric Rivera Jr.
Punter
1 Ivan Carreon Jr.
Head coach: Dusty Ortiz (5-8)
