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Revenge game: Bobcats get second shot at Henderson
BY Chris O’Dell, codell@starlocalnews.com
Few times does a team get a second chance against the team that eliminated them from the playoffs just one season ago.
That’s the case for Celina tomorrow, as the Bobcats will take on Henderson in the regional semifinals from Mesquite’s E.H. Hanby Stadium.
“We have a great track record on those comeback games,” said Bill Elliott, Celina head coach. “These are games our kids really get excited about and something the community really gets into.”
“That game really just got out of control because of our own mistakes,” Elliott said. “We can’t spot them points like that again.”
The Bobcats will enter the 7:30 p.m. contest fresh off a 51-20 win over Dallas Madison that saw 12 different Celina players carry the ball.
“We like to spread the ball around,” Elliott said. “It takes the pressure off that one guy who might normally get most of the carries.”
That philosophy led to a 285-yard performance on the ground, with the Bobcats averaging more than six yards per carry. Leading the charge was junior Deshawn Davis, who finished with a game-high 105 yards and one touchdown on eight attempts.
Sophomore quarterback Nathan Elliott also had an efficient game, completing 10-of-21 passes for 95 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. The signal caller also ran for 41 yards and a score while catching a 24-yard touchdown pass during the second quarter.
“[Nathan] was able to do it all,” coach Elliott said. “That made a huge difference.”
Another positive sign for Celina was the ability to cut down on penalties after being whistled for 146 yards on 16 flags during the bi-district matchup against Krum. Friday’s game featured eight Celina penalties for 55 yards.
“We did a great job of cutting down on the mistakes,” coach Elliott said. “They were mostly just mental mistakes last week that we were able to fix.”
That improvement could be key against a Henderson defense that held the Bobcats scoreless for three quarters during last year’s Nov. 25 contest.
“[Henderson] has a lot more athletes than we have,” coach Elliott said. “We’re going to have to contain those players.”
One of those players is athlete Patrick Brown, who plays a slew of positions on both sides of the ball.
“[Brown] will play quarterback, running back, receiver, return kicks and play safety,” coach Elliott said. “He’s a machine that just has a different gear.”
The Bobcats enter the matchup after surrendering just 237 yards of total offense to Madison and forcing three takeaways in the game.
“The defense did a great job of shutting them down,” coach Elliott said. “They always take care of business.”
The unit will be in for a tougher task tomorrow when the two teams kick off the action at 7:30 p.m. with a spot in the regional finals on the line.
“We’re in great shape right now,” coach Elliott said.
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