The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The Orangefield Bobcats will take their three-in-a-row victories on the road this week for a Saturday game against the Worthing Colts in Houston.

On Friday the Bobcats (3-2) shocked the Newton Eagles with a late game comeback to win 25-20 on Homecoming night with just :20 remaining.

The Homecoming victory for Orangefield seemed inevitable. The Bobcats had slugged it out play-for-play with Newton right from the opening kick-off. Trailing 20-19 with 5:34 remaining Orangefield took the ball on their own 24-yard line. It would take 15 plays and use up all but a few seconds of game time when senior running back Colby Choate punched in the game winning touchdown from the 1-yard line. The Homecoming victory over the famed Newton Eagles was in the bag.

“There is no doubt that it was the biggest win for our program since I have been here,” said third year Head Coach Josh Smalley, “We have a great group of assistant coaches and an awesome group of young men that deserve all the credit for the win.”

The Bobcats offense would rack-up 321 yards of total offense against Newton, 302 of those yards on the ground. Orangefield work horse Colby Choate rambled for 150 yards on 27 carries and two touchdowns. At quarterback Matthew Kress had 76 yards rushing on eight carries and a TD. Kress also hit receiver Nick Harvey for a touchdown from the 19 yard line. Matthew Watkins collected 49 yards on eight carries during the Homecoming victory.

“I am especially happy for the community,” Smalley said, “It has been a long time since we have defeated Newton and you could tell it meant a lot to the people of Orangefield. I couldn’t be prouder of everyone involved. It starts at the top with the superintendent and all the administrators and teachers. You can’t have a successful program without support from everyone around.”

Wesley Frillou and Triston McGee return to the sideline following a scoring drive in the first half.           RECORD PHOTO: Mark Dunn

The Orangefield defense gave up 210 yards rushing against the Eagles but forced four fumbles recovering one and shut down several key drives.

“We are proud of the win, but we do not want that win to be the only thing people remember about this season,” Smalley said, “We want it to be part of the story. We still have a lot more to do.”

And more is on the way. The Worthing Colts (3-2) of Dist. 10-4A in Houston will be a tough contender for Orangefield. Halfway into the season Worthing has put 212 points on the scoreboard.

“Houston Worthing is an explosive team on offense,” Smalley said, “They are averaging 42 points a game and most of that is due to a tremendous athlete at quarterback. We know that we are going to have to play our best to come out with a win.”

The Bobcats will open Dist. 9- 4A action on October 10 against Hardin-Jefferson.