THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Odessa High School Athletics

As the Bronchos flipped through film Saturday, watching scenes from last Friday’s game flicker across the screen in front of them, they saw plenty of pivotal moments — some that might have been replaying in their minds ever since the final whistle. Loose fumble. Jump ball. An opening to score. A ballcarrier in their grasp. First and goal for Odessa High. Fourth down for Amarillo Tascosa. Odessa High got itself in position to have opportunities to win last Friday night against one of District 2-6A’s best teams at Amarillo’s Dick Bivins Stadium, but the Bronchos just saw too many of those chances slip by in the loss. The Bronchos got themselves in the right spots, but didn’t capitalize. Now, that’s another hurdle toward improvement the Bronchos are looking to clear — and they’ll have a big chance to do it when they host undefeated San Angelo Central at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Ratliff Stadium. “When we’ve got opportunities, we’ve got to take advantage,” Odessa High head coach Danny Servance said to his team Monday, as the Bronchos gathered around him to end their first practice after that Tascosa game. Odessa High went blow-for-blow with undefeated Tascosa through most of the game last Friday night, heading into the fourth quarter within one touchdown. The Bronchos had a puncher’s chance trailing 14-9, but those chances passed by on their way to a 36-9 loss. Odessa High forced Tascosa’s offense into a fourth-and-6 scenario as the teams switched ends going into the fourth, but that was one of those opportunities the Bronchos couldn’t take advantage of. Tascosa converted on an eight-yard pass, then picked up another fourth-down conversion on that drive on the way to a separation touchdown to make it 22-9 and start the late-game slide on the scoreboard. In all, Tascosa went four-for-four on fourth-down conversion attempts Friday. When the Odessa High defense had the chance to make a big play and force a turnover on downs, Tascosa converted every time. The Bronchos offense had its own chances. Down 14-6 late in the first half, Odessa High drove to earn first-and-goal at the Tascosa 2. Two plays later, sophomore running back Senjun McGarity bowled his way into the end zone for what would’ve been a big touchdown — but the play was called back for a hold, and Odessa High ultimately had to settle for a field goal. At 14-9, Odessa High drove into Rebels territory late in the third with a chance to take the lead, but Tascosa forced the Odessa High offense’s first turnover of the season by picking off a pass to set up that separating drive. “We’re in position during the ballgame to make some drastic changes in the ballgame and steal the momentum and do things like that,” Servance said, moments after Monday’s practice. “We haven’t quite learned how to do that yet. It’s all a process. But we’re getting there.” This week, the Bronchos are focused on doing just that — completing that process, and getting over the hump to win big games, and not just compete in them. “Coach will always say, you’ve got to finish those four quarters,” McGarity said. “It’s the same thing every game.” The Bronchos have another chance to get over that hurdle this week. “There’s always going to be opportunities in the game to make plays, whether it’s special teams, whether it’s defense, or whether it’s offense,” Servance said. “If you get your hands on a pass, then you’ve got to catch that pass. If you get your hands on an interception, then you’ve got to make that play. If you are supposed to carry out an assignment, you’ve got to be accountable for carrying out that assignment. “We just have to make things happen when the window of opportunity presents itself.” >> GETTING IN POSITION: The Bronchos don’t believe in moral victories — but entering district play, there were plenty of unknowns for Odessa High, sitting on the outside looking in and seeing four undefeated teams in District 2-6A seemingly poised to grab hold of the league’s four playoff berths. The Bronchos had a chance to knock one of those unbeatens off last Friday, and even though they came up short, Friday’s competitive matchup proved the Bronchos have what it takes to go blow-for-blow with the district’s best teams. “It shows that we can do it — it’s a matter of execution and focus, and just getting it done,” senior center Nathan Sanchez said. Friday’s game got out of hand as things snowballed late, but the Bronchos went stride for stride with Tascosa for much of the game, which was a far cry from some of the blowouts Odessa High suffered through in district last season. “I think we’re gaining more confidence, even after the Tascosa game, because it was a 14-9 ballgame until midway through the fourth quarter — so our kids know that they can play with people,” Servance said. “It’s those things that we talked about, just taking advantage of different opportunities in the ballgame that makes the difference between you winning and losing the ballgame. They’ve got confidence that they can play with people.” >> NO PLACE LIKE HOME: The game at Tascosa marked Odessa High’s last long road trip of the season. Odessa High traveled to play Lubbock Monterey and Abilene High in nondistrict before last Friday’s district opener in Amarillo, but from here on out, the schedule has the Bronchos sticking close to home. Through its last five games, Odessa High is set to play four in Ratliff Stadium, and the other at Grande Communications Stadium in Midland. “We’ve been on the road twice the last two weeks, so, yeah, it is great to be back in the confines of Ratliff Stadium,” Servance said with a smile. After this Friday’s home game with San Angelo Central, the Bronchos will play their last game away from Ratliff against Midland Lee at Grande Communications Stadium in Midland on Oct. 20. Then the Bronchos close the season with three straight games at Ratliff Stadium. Their last “away” game will only take them to the visitors’ sideline when they face rival Permian on Nov. 3. “I kind of like it; Trying to finish the season off strong and doing what we need to do to try and make these playoffs,” McGarity said. “Finishing off strong at home, with the fans there, I think that’ll get us pumped up a little bit more, and get us going.”

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Odessa High School Athletics

BRONCHOS EARNING OPPORTUNITIES, NOW LOOKING TO CAPITALIZE AS DISTRICT ROLLS ON

JUSTIN LEE

Odessa American | 10/3/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Justin Lee