Your Coleman Bluecats will be contending for the Area title Friday night in San Angelo versus the Lions of Ozona.  The Cats will be making the trip thanks mostly to their “never give up” attitude, as was shown in their 48-42 triple-overtime win against Haskell last Friday.  During a game that will go down as one of the more exciting Bluecat football contests in recent history, the Cats seemed to overcome all odds to hang with the Indians, who appeared to have all the momentum in the second half.  The game initially screamed for an easy Bluecat victory, as the Cats strolled in for the first two scores of the game.  Haskell finally lit their candle late in the second quarter, and so began a shootout of epic proportions.  Between the second half, and the three overtimes, 69 total points were scored between the two teams.  As regular play was winding down, Haskell enjoyed a seven-point lead, and Coleman’s hopes of further playoff advancement were slowly slipping away.  But, a quick 47-yard march down the field by the Cats with only a minute left in the game ended in a touchdown pass, and a tie on the scoreboard.  Both teams scored in the first overtime, and neither scored in the second overtime.  The third overtime saw a Coleman score first, and then the Indians fumbled on a pitch-out and subsequently lost the ball ... and the game.  So, the Bluecats improve to 8-3, celebrate a Bi-District title, and begin to plan a lion-hunting trip.

Ozona was paired with Sonora for their Bi-District game last week, and emerged with a 28-13 victory.  The 9-2 Lions of Ozona have beaten Iraan (28-11), McCamey (26-21), Reagan County (31-17), Crane (32-6), Alpine (41-6), Van Horn (44-0), and Kermit (42-15).  Their two losses were to Fort Stockton (25-26) and Wall (35-40).  As a reminder, Coleman lost to Wall 17-16.  Wall is the only schedule overlap between Coleman and Ozona.  The Ozona offense will be led by senior QB Jordan Long (#13, 6'1", 164), who rushed for 162 yards with one touchdown, and threw for 87 yards and two touchdowns against Sonora last week.  The Lions were 8-3 last year (5-2 in district), and won one playoff game.  They have five starters on each side of the ball returning this season, including QB Jordan Long.

Coleman Coach Rusty Buzzard reported on Wednesday that the Bluecats were going to travel to San Angelo later in the day for a practice at San Angelo Stadium.  He also reported that the team was going to have a short practice on Thursday afternoon just before the downtown pep-rally.

Texashsfootball.com has some interesting information to share about the match-up between Ozona and Coleman.  The good news is that Coleman is picked to win the game.  The bad news is that the website only ranked this a one-turkey game. On the “turkey ranking system,” a five-turkey game is supposed to be the most interesting, and a one-turkey game is the least interesting.  But, regardless of turkeys and how interesting the game is, Coleman fans will be ready to watch their warriors in blue do battle Friday night at 7:00 in San Angelo.  The game will be played at San Angelo Stadium.  Stratford and Childress will also face off Friday night, and the emerging winner will face the winner of the Coleman vs Ozona game in regional competition.

Your Coleman Bluecats will be competing in round three of the playoffs for the second year in a row, having strolled past the Ozona Lions in Area competition Friday night.  The Cats will now look towards a Regional meeting with Stratford in Lubbock this Friday.  Bluecat workhorse Brandon Worsham carried the ball over the goal-line for all three of Coleman’s touchdowns, and Oscar Villeda added a field goal, helping the Cats achieve their 16-point win.

Ozona took the opening kickoff, and the stout Cat defense immediately stalled the Lions’ efforts, leading to a punt.  Coleman turned the ball over on a fumble three plays into their first drive, but then managed to hold Ozona to another immediate fourth-down punt.  The Cats found their rhythm on the next drive, as they assembled a five-play 51-yard march down the field, ending in a one-yard TD run by Worsham. Oscar Villeda added the PAT, and Coleman took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.  The Bluecats held Ozona to another punt on their next possession, partially thanks to a tackle by Bronson Buzzard for a seven-yard loss, and a tackle by Casey Lofton for a five-yard loss.  Coleman QB Colton Buzzard threw the only interception of the game on Coleman’s next possession, but the Cats held the Lions to another immediate punt as the two teams strolled into the second quarter with Coleman holding the seven-point lead.  The two teams exchanged a few punts in the second quarter until Ozona finally put together an eight-play 61-yard drive ending in a one-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jordan Long with 15 seconds left in the first half.

The Bluecats took the opening kickoff of the second half, but were held to an immediate punt.  After driving deep into Coleman territory, the Lions gave up the ball on a fumble.  An all-defense third quarter passed quickly, as the teams continued to exchange punts and fumbles, until Oscar "Laser Foot" Villeda ended a Coleman drive in a 23-yard field goal with 7:49 to go in the fourth quarter.  With a 10-7 lead, and some momentum working, Coleman forced an Ozona fumble on the next kickoff, and with the help of a personal foul on the Lions, the Cats took over again on the Ozona 16-yard line.  Brandon Worsham danced into the end zone again three plays later, and Villeda added the PAT, giving Coleman a 17-7 lead with 6:48 left in the game.  The Lions saw their hopes of further playoff advancement fade away as they were held to a punt on a fourth down and 30 yards to go situation, thanks to two sacks by the feared Coleman defense.  Brandon Worhsham found his way to the end zone on a 19-yard run five plays later, breaking about six tackles along the way, giving Coleman a 23-7 lead. The PAT was blocked, but with 2:54 remaining in the game, and a 16-point lead, the Cats were able to close out the match and look towards the next game.

In a fantastic show of good sportsmanship, the Cats and Lions gathered at mid-field after the game for a group prayer and words of congratulations from the Ozona coaching staff.  Bluecat Coach Rusty Buzzard will now be conditioning the troops for a regional match-up against last year’s class 1A state champion Stratford Elks at Lowrey Field in Lubbock.  The game time in Lubbock has not yet been nailed down, but a 7:30 or 8:00 start is anticipated.  Whoever stays alive after the Coleman vs Stratford match-up will advance to face the winner of the Idalou vs Wall game.

The Coleman Bluecats have more gold to put in the trophy case.  Friday night, in San Angelo, the Bluecats laid claim to the Area Championship with a 23 to 7 victory against Ozona. Coleman will now play the Stratford Elks at a time and place yet to be determined. As we understand it, Coleman and Stratford coaches will try to work out the site and time Friday night.  Stratford advanced to the Regional round by beating Childress 33 to 27 Friday afternoon.  Stratford is located in the far northern Texas Panhandle, just northeast of Dalhart.  Stratford is in a district with Sanford-Fritch, Panhandle, Canadian, West Texas and Spearman.

Stratford is 9-3 on the year, went 5-0 in district.  They return 16 starters from last year's championship roster.   Here is a closer look: Wk 1 - Beat Levelland 56-15; Wk 2 - Lost to Childress 20-13; Wk 3 - Lost to Floydada 45-21; Wk 4 - Beat Perryton 20-14; Wk 5- open; Wk 6 - Lost to Dalhart 13-7 in OT; Wk 7 - Beat Spearman 28-0 (dist opener); Wk 8 - Beat Panhandle 21-14; Wk 9 - Beat Canadian 19-14; Wk 10 - Beat West Texas 62-0; Wk 11 - Beat Sanford-Fritch - 25-6; Wk 12 - Beat Tulia for Bi-District - 34-6; Beat Childress 33-27 for Area Championship (after losing to Childress in Wk 2).

Ozona Game Summary by Possession

* Ozona had possession first and punted
* Coleman made two first downs then a fumble by Bronson Buzzard was recovered by Ozona
* Ozona was forced to punt again
* Coleman took the ball at the 50. Brandon Worsham (below) caught a 38 yard pass from Colton Buzzard as the big play in the drive. Worsham scored four plays later on a one yard run with 5:38 left in the 1st Quarter. Oscar Villeda kicked the extra point - Coleman 7, Ozona 0
* Ozona was forced to punt from their 41 yard line
* With :23 left in the first quarter, Colton Buzzard threw an interception
* Ozona took over on the 50 but four plays later had to punt, it was a touchback
* Coleman took over at their 20 to begin the second quarter, moved the ball to the 50 and punted
* With 6:50 left in the second quarter, Ozona made three first downs but still had to punt
* With 3:36 left in the half, Coleman ran one series and was forced to punt
* Ozona took over with 2:11 before the half on their own 39. They used a 42 yard pass play to get to the red zone. With :56 left, a pass interference call on Coleman gave Ozona the ball 1st and goal on the 4. The Lions scored their only touchdown of the night with :15 left before the half. The PAT kick was good. Coleman 7, Ozona 7 at the half.

* Coleman took the kickoff to start the second half but had to punt with 9:50 left in the 3rd quarter
* Ozona ran two series when their quarterback fumbled with 6:44 left in the 3rd quarter
* Coleman started at their own 19 but had to punt with 4:49 left in the 3rd quarter
* Ozona punted after a five yard penalty and two incomplete passes
* With 3:37 left in the 3rd quarter, Coleman started at their own 18. Bronson Buzzard had runs of 9, 10, 9, 8 and 12 yards on the drive. The series ended on a fumble by Glen Edington, a questionable call because it appeared he was already out of bounds when the fumble occured
* Ozona could not advance the ball on their next series and punted, again
* With 10:45 left in the 4th quarter, Coleman began their series at the Ozona 35. Worsham and Buzzard combined for runs to the 6 yard line. Oscar Villeda kicked a 23 yard field goal. Coleman 10, Ozona 7
* When Coleman kicked off to Ozona, the Lions fumbled and the ball was recovered by Kavin Bowers of Coleman. Ozona was flagged for a late hit so Coleman started on Ozona's 16 yard line
* With 6:48 left in the game, Brandon Worsham scored a touchdown. PAT kick was good. Coleman 17, Ozona 7
* Coleman's defense then took control of the game. On four plays, Ozona found themselves at 4th and 29 and had to punt
* With 5:30 left in the game, Coleman started their series at the Ozona 32. With 3:15 left in the game, Brandon Worsham broke a tackle and ran in for a touchdown. PAT kick failed. Coleman 23, Ozona 7
* Ozona ran one more series, failed to convert and turned the ball over on down.
* With 1:57 left in the game, QB Colton Buzzard took a knee on consecutive snaps of the ball and ran out the clock - Coleman 23, Ozona 7.

This is the third meeting between the two schools on the football field, Coleman has won all three games.

1st Quarter:
Coleman - 5:38 remaining - Brandon Worsham scored on a one yard run.  Oscar Villeda kicked the extra point.

2nd Quarter:
Ozona - :15 remaining, scored a touchdown.  PAT was good.

3rd Quarter:
No Score.

4th Quarter:
Coleman - Oscar Villeda kicked a 23 yard field goal.
Coleman - 6:48 remaining, Brandon Worsham scored a touchdown.  PAT kick was good.
Coleman - 3:15 remaining, Brandon Worsham touchdown.  PAT kick failed.
 
 

Rushing for Coleman

Passing for Coleman

Receiving for Coleman