HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: OHS wins season opener against MX Prep
· Yahoo Sports
By the time the first quarter ended, the game was already out of reach and the Odessa High football team was well on its way to ending its losing streak.
The Bronchos won their first game on the field since Sept. 19, 2024 with a dominating 51-14 win against MX Prep (Mexico City) Thursday at Ratliff Stadium.
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The victory was the Bronchos’ first on the field since their 57-49 win against Lubbock Monterey from nearly two years ago.
Odessa High’s win against Amarillo High last year came via forfeit.
Thursday’s win was also the first time the Bronchos started a season 1-0 in two years.
“It felt good,” Odessa High head coach Erik Hartman said. “Execution in the first half was pretty good. We just kind of had a couple of brain farts after halftime. We wanted to get the shutout but they came back and competed and scored a few touchdowns in the third quarter. We just kind of did some little boneheaded stuff. We can’t have those quarters. But we woke up in the fourth quarter and played well.”
Odessa High quarterback Phillip Carrasco went 14-of-25 for 218 yards passing and four touchdowns and one interception.
Ayden Garcia led the rushing game with 11 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown.
He also had two receptions for 51 yards and another touchdown.
MX Prep was led by JJ Davila in the rushing game with 10 carries for 126 yards and a touchdown.
Quarterback Matias Araujo went two-of-four for 44 yards and an interception for the Eagles.
Odessa High wasted no time in getting started.
The Bronchos struck first on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Carrasco to Ayden Garcia. Ivan Castor’s PAT was good, giving the Bronchos a 7-0 lead with 8:12 remaining in the first quarter.
A safety by the Eagles made it 9-0 with 6:19 left.
Running back Ethan Garcia scored on a 57-yard run with 2:11 left to give the Bronchos a 16-0 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
“It seemed we couldn’t do any wrong in the first quarter,” Hartman said. “That’s what we want. We came out and executed well. Our quarterback was slinging the ball and putting it in the right spot. Ayden Garcia was running the ball well and the offensive line was controlling. That’s all you can ask for to start a game.”
MX Prep marched the ball into the Bronchos’ side of the field in the second quarter for the Eagles’ best drive of the game, thus far.
MX Prep drove the ball to the Bronchos’ 45.
However, the drive stalled and the Eagles were forced to punt with about five minutes to go in the quarter.
Odessa High recovered a muffed punt at the Eagles’ own 35 with 2:50 left in the second quarter.
Carrasco completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Joe Ortega with 1:47 left and the Bronchos had a 30-0 lead.
Odessa High defensive back Adrian Escandon picked off Araujo with 47 seconds left and the Bronchos had time for one last drive before the half.
That was plenty of time for the Bronchos to add one more touchdown before intermission as Wide receiver Anthony Martinez hauled in a 16-yard touchdown pass with 33 seconds remaining, giving Odessa High a 37-0 lead.
The Eagles’ first touchdown came on a 10-yard run by Emilio Ayala with 5:20 left in the third quarter. The PAT by Nicholas Bravo was good, making it 37-7, finishing up a nine-play, 81-yard drive that took seven minutes.
The Eagles got another score with a 57-yard touchdown run by running back JJ Davila with 10:50 left in the game.
However, the game was still very much out of reach.
The Bronchos added to their lead with a 19-yard reception by tight end Joshua Garcia with 8:03 left.
OHS linebacker Devin Padilla recovered a fumble and the Bronchos took over at the MX Prep 42 with 5:31 left.
The turnover led to another Broncho touchdown and the Bronchos built a 51-14 lead with 2:51 left.
Odessa High will next face El Paso Coronado at 7 p.m. Sept. 4 at Ratliff Stadium.
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Odessa High's Brillyant Adams carries the ball in the first quarter against MX Prep Thursday at Ratliff Stadium. Michael Bauer|Odessa American
Odessa High's Ayden Garcia (8) carries the ball past MX Prep's Santiago Alvarez in the first quarter against MX Prep Thursday at Ratliff Stadium. Michael Bauer|Odessa American
Odessa High's Ayden Garcia (8) is picked up by a teammate after scoring a touchdown against MX Prep Thursday at Ratliff Stadium. Michael Bauer|Odessa American
Odessa High students celebrate an OHS touchdown in the first quarter against MX Prep Thursday at Ratliff Stadium. Michael Bauer|Odessa American
Odessa High's Phillip Carrasco carries the ball in the first quarter against MX Prep Thursday at Ratliff Stadium. Michael Bauer|Odessa American
Odessa High's Phillip Carrasco carries the ball in the first quarter against MX Prep Thursday at Ratliff Stadium. Michael Bauer|Odessa American
Odessa High's Ayden Garcia carries the ball in the first quarter against MX Prep Thursday at Ratliff Stadium. Michael Bauer|Odessa American
Odessa High and MX Prep players pose for a photo after Odessa High's 51-14 win Thursday at Ratliff Stadium. Michael Bauer|Odessa American
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