MIDLAND The Odessa High football team jumped out to an early lead but couldn’t keep the momentum as Midand Legacy regrouped and then dominated the final 30 minutes in a 62-28 victory in District 2-6A play Friday at Astound Broadband Stadium.
Running back Zeke Luna rushed for 213 yard and two touchdowns to pace the Rebels (6-4 overall, 4-1 in district 2-6A).
“(The Bronchos) are a good football team,” Rebels head coach Clint Hartman said. “They have been coached well, and the best thing is that we did not flinch tonight.”
Midland Legacy will open the Class 6A Division I playoffs at home next week.
The Bronchos finished the season at 3-7, 0-5.
Odessa High opened a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to interceptions by defensive backs Dreshon Douglas and Jayven Gonzales, the latter in the Odessa High end zone to thwart a Rebels’ scoring chance.
Bronchos quarterback Jaylien Jones cashed in the Douglas interception with a 2-yard touchdown run and then found wide receiver Ivan Carreon for a 30-yard score to cap the drive after Gonzales’ theft.
“I think we played a really good first half – we came out and got some takeaways,” Bronchos’ coach Dusty Ortiz said. “We capitalized on those two interceptions, and everything was clicking.”
The Rebels fought back with turnover-free football for the rest of the game.
Midland Legacy then scored touchdowns on eight of its next 10 possessions, including three times in the final six minutes of the first half, to earn the comeback victory.
“I’m proud of my guys and their effort tonight.” Ortiz said. “I felt they played all 48 minutes and other than not getting the win, I thought that everything else was right where it needed to be.”
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