Central Bobcats' upset bid falls just short against El Paso Eastlake

The San Angelo Central football team's last-minute comeback attempt came up just short in a 21-17 first-round playoff loss to El Paso Eastlake on Friday at the Socorro Athletic Complex in El Paso.

The Bobcats reached Eastlake's 28-yard line in the final minute, but Tyler Hill threw an interception at the 4-yard line with about 35 seconds left to end the threat.

Central's season ended with a record of 4-7.

Eastlake improved to 10-1 and advances to play the winner of Weatherford and Byron Nelson next week.

Central was the underdog as the fourth-place finisher from District 2-6A, but the Bobcats were tied 7-7 at halftime, and they led 10-7 heading into the fourth quarter.

After Eastlake scored on the opening play of the fourth quarter, Central answered with a 16-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that was capped by Hill's 5-yard run with 3:40 to play.

The Bobcats twice converted on fourth down on that drive.

Central's 17-14 lead was short-lived, however, as Eastlake's Elijah Uribe broke off a 65-yard run. He then punched it in from five yards out to give the Falcons a 21-17 lead with 2:20 remaining.

Uribe finished with 142 rushing yards.

Central had its chances early in the game with two trips inside Eastlake's 11-yard line that resulted in no points.

The Bobcats had a 3-yard TD run called back due to an illegal procedure penalty, and it proved extremely costly when they fumbled two plays later, resulting in a 95-yard TD march by Eastlake.

Central was then stuffed on a fourth-and-1 at the Falcons' 11, but the Bobcats' defense responded Eastlake on a drive deep in their territory.

Central then tied it up with one big play — a 64-yard TD pass from Hill to Jacob English with 1:33 left in the second quarter — for a 7-7 score heading into the locker room.

Central took a 10-7 lead midway through the third quarter on a 38-yard field goal by Erick Rodriguez.

Central was making its 12th consecutive playoff appearance.

Eastlake is in its second year of 6A football. The Falcons were knocked out of the playoffs in this round by Central last year, 54-35.

This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: San Angelo Central's upset bid falls just short at El Paso Eastlake