The Smyer Bobcats kept their playoff hopes alive with a 24-12 road win over the Morton Indians in UIL Region I, Class 2A-2, District 4 high school football action last Friday. Penalties hurt the Indians. They were hit for 115 yards on 13 flags, while the Bobcats were penalized 40 yards on five calls.
Smyer looked to put Morton against the ropes early with a 49yard touchdown run from Preston Moore just a minute into the game. The two-point conversion failed, but Smyer led 6-0 early.
Then, the Bobcats’ Gavin St. Clair recovered a fumble on the Morton 48-yard-line for a Smyer first down and 10. Peyton Casillas found Landon Polk open for 39-yards and a first and goal from the Morton nine-yard-line. Two plays later, on third and goal from the Morton 11-yardline, Shawn Barrett fumbled and Morton’s Cade Lyon recovered the ball. The Indians’ drive ate up nearly eight minutes, but never got out of their own territory. The drive ended with Vincente Montoya punting to the Smyer 10-yard-line with no return and 2:59 left in the first quarter. The first quarter ended with Smyer once again in the red-zone. This time, on the Morton fiveyard- line faced fourth down and four yards to go. Moore got the call again for the touchdown as the second quarter began. Casillas tried to run the conversion in to no avail, but the Bobcats led 12-0 just seconds into the second quarter.
The Indians E.J. Rivas returned the Bobcat kick 55 yards to give Morton a first down and 10 on the Smyer 24-yard-line.
Christian Enriquez got the Indians inside the 20-yard-line on the next play. Then he ran to the 11-yard-line where the drive stalled. A false start moved the Indians back to the 17-yard-line. Then Enriquez ran the ball back to the seven-yard-line.
Another false start put Morton on the 12-yard-line where, on third down and 10 yards, Alex Lopez’ pass intended for Montoya was picked off by Smyer’s Drew Overstreet. Morton threatened one more time in the first half. They were on the Smyer five-yard-line with first and goal when Lopez was intercepted by Cameron Gutierrez with just 30 seconds left in the half. Smyer recovered their onside kick to start the third quarter, taking over on the Morton 48-- yard-line. It was to no avail though, as two plays later, Xavier Ramon intercepted a Casillas pass intended for Cody Armes. Morton took over on their own 34-yard-line with 11:17 left in the third quarter and marched down to the five-yard-line where Enriquez carried the ball across the goal to cut the Smyer lead to 12-6. Once again, the Bobcats got into the red-zone. This time, they took over on their own 45-yardline. Christian Charles got them to the Morton 15-yard-line on two plays. Then, Casillas took the ball into the end-zone, only to have it called back for holding. The Indian defense stiffened and even sacked Casillas on the second play of the series. Smyer, facing third down and 21 yards, went to the air and were promptly intercepted by A.J. Mendoza who ran the ball down to the Smyer three-yardline.
Alex Lopez took the ball across the goal-line, tying the score at 12 with 5:32 left in the third quarter.
Penalties cost the Indians on the next Smyer drive.
A roughing the passer ruling after an incomplete pass on third down and 12-yards from the Morton 45 gave the Bobcats a first down and 10-yards at the Morton 30.
The next play, was a scrum that ended with a two-yard loss for Smyer, but the Indians were called for targeting, putting the ball on the Morton 20-yard-line and gave Smyer another first down.
An offsides call moved the ball another five yards, but another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty moved the ball to the Morton eight-yard-line.
The Bobcats got a holding call on the next play, moving the ball back to the Morton 14-yardline.
The Bobcats got to the six-yardline on two runs, then Casillas tried to hit Landon Polk.
The pass was incomplete and the ruling was defensive pass interference.
After the penalty, words were exchanged between the Morton coaching staff and the officials, which resulted in another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that was assessed against Morton, putting the ball on the one-yardline and gave Smyer a first down.
All that remained was for Barrett to run the ball in for an 1812 Smyer lead with 54 seconds left in the third quarter. Morton’s next drive, got to the Smyer 22 before a fumble gave Smyer the ball again on their own 31-yard-line with 8:53 left in the game. The Bobcats marched downfield for the final touchdown, as three yard run by Barrett with 4:42 left in the game. The twopoint conversion failed again, but the Bobcats led 24-12. The Smyer defense stiffened on the next Morton drive and forced the Indians to punt on fourth down and 25 from their own eight-yard-line. Smyer took over with just under three minutes left in the game and were able to run out the clock.
For the Bobcats, Casillas went 6-for-13 for 115 yards with three interceptions. Moore had 13 carries for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Barrett had 17 carries for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Charles had eight carries for 48 yards. Casillas had six carries for 41 yards. Landon Polk had three catches for 56 yards. Drew Overstreet had a 38 yard grab. Barrett had two catches for 21 yards.
For Morton, Lopez went 3for-9 for 30 yards with two interceptions. He also carried five times for 22 yards and a touchdown. Enriquez had seven carries for 96 yards and a touchdown. Xavier Ramon had eight carries for 26 yards. Bejarano had four carries for 21 yards. E.J. Rivas had three carries for 10 yards and a 16 yard reception. A.J. Mendoza had two receptions for 14 yards. Smyer hosts Seagraves at 7 p.m. Friday while Morton hosts New Home on Friday, also at 7 p.m.