Bobcats open at home vs. Pirates

By Tim McGrath BCC Staff Writer

The Medina Bobcats will play host to the Center Point Pirates in the 2012 non-district football opener for both teams on Friday, August 31, at Bobcat Stadium in Medina. Kickoff for the game is at 7:30 pm.

The Bobcats are fresh off an impressive scrimmage outing against TMI played last Friday night, August 24, at Medina.

First year Medina Head Coach Brandon Allen praised the overall effort of the Bobcats against TMI and spoke of a marked improvement in the Bobcat game on both sides of the ball. "It was a big improvement over last week's effort....we adjusted well in the final quarter and played until the end," Allen said. "We preach finish here and we did that against TMI."

Offensively, the Bobcats were led by quarterback JD Ortiz, who completed 11 of 18 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown while rushing seven times for 65 yards and another Bobcat score. Running back Adrian Jackson rushed six times for 23 yards and a touchdown while receiver Weston Jenkins grabbed three passes for 58 yards and another Bobcat touchdown.

Michael Baker had four receptions for 63 yards for the Bobcats.

The Bobcats won the last quarter of play by a score of 14-6. The last quarter was played under game conditions with a 12-minute clock.

Defensively, the Bobcats gave up an early score before tightening up and shutting down the TMI offensive efforts for most of the night.

"We were very physical out there and really played well. We shut them down for a long time," Allen said.

Mitchell Black recorded 4.5 tackles and had one pass defensed while Michael Baker added four tackles and a forced fumble to the Medina defensive effort. Valentine Luna chipped in with three tackles and a sack while Jackson had 2.5 tackles, a sack and a pass defensed for the Bobcats.

The Bobcats begin the non-district season on Friday against the neighboring Center Point Pirates, who compete in District 14 1A Div1. The Pirates are coached by Bubba Walters and return six offensive and six defensive starters from last year's 6-5 bi-district team. The Pirate offense is led by running back Zach Custer and quarterback Roberto Zendejo.

On Friday, Sept. 7, the Bobcats will welcome the Menard Yellow Jackets to Medina for another non-district encounter beginning at 7:30 pm at Bobcat Stadium.


Pictured: Photo by Tim McGrath
The Medina Bobcat defensive unit looks to be solid this year anchored by the line and linebackers shown in this photo. Front, linemen Garrett Collins, Ben Dabney and Brandon Scott; back row, linebackers Adrian Jackson, Joel Arreola, Valentine Luna and Michael Baker.