Your Coleman Bluecats made history Friday night as they defeated Sonora 35 - 14 in San  Angelo, and will advance in the playoffs to face Childress.  Coleman has not advanced this far in the football playoffs since 1946.  Several Bi-District championships have been claimed over the years, but this is first time in 59 years that Coleman will have advanced to the regional competition.  With the exception of only a few tense moments, the Cats dominated most of the game.  Carlton Brown celebrated a stunning personal accomplishment as he busted through the 2,000 rushing yard mark for the season.

Coleman took the opening kickoff, and was promptly penalized for a false start on the first play from scrimmage.  They managed to recover from the lost yards and got a first down.  But, another false start penalty set up another first-and-15 situation from which the Cats could not recover.  The seven-play drive ended with a punt, and Sonora took over from their 21-yard line.  Sonora set up a 21-yard reverse play, followed by a pass that took them all the way to the Coleman 10-yard line.  A pair of runs and a pass put the Broncos in a fourth down situation on the Coleman one-yard line.  The solid Cat defense shut down a run “up the gut” and the ball turned over on downs.

The Bluecats, starting from their own one-yard line, assembled a 99-yard, 11-play scoring drive.  Highlights from this drive included a 37-yard Carlton Brown run, during which he broke something like 27 or 28 tackles, and Austin Buzzard broke a 31-yard run.  With the addition of a facemask penalty on the end of the Buzzard run, the Cats found themselves on the Sonora three-yard line.  Carlton Brown punched the ball in for a Coleman touchdown and Jarod Dale added the PAT, giving Coleman a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.  Coleman kicked off to Sonora, and Bluecat fans had a brief thrill as Sage Brooks leveled the Bronco return man at the Sonora 29-yard line.  The feared Bluecat defense held Sonora to an immediate fourth down, and the first quarter clock ran out as the Broncos punted to the Coleleman 27-yard line.  The Cats were unable to muster a first down on their next possession, and punted back to Sonora.  A block-in-the-back penalty on the Broncos pushed them back to their own 25-yard line.

Sonora assembled a few good plays for first downs, and then as they were setting up a passing attempt, Michael Cantu snuck in the backfield and crushed the Sonora quarterback for an 11-yard loss.  With 21 yards to go for a first down, the Broncos were unable to locate the first-down marker, and were forced to punt.  As the punt was allowed to hit the ground, and was about to roll dead, Brandin Vasquez snatched up the ball and dashed 24 yards down the sideline, selling the Cats up at mid- field.  During their next drive, the Cats managed a few first downs, but eventually turned the ball over on a fourth - down - go-for-it play at the Sonora 29.  Once again, the Bluecat defense did not even have time to break a sweat as they held the Broncos to an immediate fourth down punt.  The highlight of this defensive stand was a devastating tackle in the backfield by Bluecat Rufus Lopez for a five-yard loss.

Coleman started their next drive from their own 42-yard line, and QB Austin Buzzard connected with Brandin Vasquez for a 43-yard pass.  Carlton Brown’s number was called on the next play, and he jammed a 15-yard run into the endzone for Coleman’s second touchdown of the night.  Jarod Dale added the PAT, and Coleman led 14-0 late in the second quarter.  The Cats kicked off to Sonora, and the Coleman defense held the Broncos to an immediate fourth-down punt.  Coleman took over with four seconds left in the half.  A long pass fell incomplete in the endzone, and both teams headed to the locker room.

Sonora took the opening kickoff in the second half, and assembled a nine-play, 76-yard touchdown drive that involved mostly a passing attack.  With the addition of the PAT, the Broncos closed the gap to 14-7.  Coleman began their next drive from their own 34 yard line.  After a couple of failed running plays, the Cats faced a third-and-ten situation, and Coleman fans began to get nervous about what the second half of this ball game had to offer.  But, to reassure the fans wearing blue, Austin Buzzard busted a QB keeper on third-down that took him 66 yards for a touchdown.  The PAT failed, but Coleman re-established their two touchdown lead with a score of 20-7.

After the kickoff, the amazing Cat defense held Sonora to an immediate fourth down.  A go-for-it pass fell incomplete and Coleman took over on the Sonora 48.  After a few plays, and one first down, the Broncos snagged an Austin Buzzard pass and took over an their own 23-yard line to set up their second and final scoring drive.  The drive opened with Bluecat Silas Home making a monster tackle in the backfield for a two-yard loss.  Ten plays later, Sonora had first-and-goal from the Bluecat three-yard line.  Silas Home met the Sonora ball-carrier at the line of scrimmage saving the Cats from a Sonora score.  Jacob “The Mack Truck’ Morrison dropped the Sonora ball-carrier on the next play for a one-yard loss, again saving the Cats from a Bronco score.  But, on the third attempt Sonora punched into the endzone with 10:22 left in the fourth quarter.  The PAT sailed fair and the gap was closed to 20-14 in favor of the Cats.

Sonora kicked off to Coleman, and the Cats managed a number of first downs before finally turning the ball over on downs as a fourth-down go-for-it run fell short.  With Coleman fans again getting nervous (as our lead was only six points), Brandin Vasquez promptly intercepted a Sonora pass, and ran 53 yards, placing Coleman on the Bronco three-yard line.  Carlton Brown was called into service again, and immediately punched into the endzone for a Bluecat TD.  Coach Rusty Buzzard opted to go for two after the touchdown, and Canton Brown was again called upon for the task.  Brown strolled into the endzone, and the Bluecat lead was increased to 28-14.  With 4:04 left in the game, and with Sonora planning a final effort to catch Coleman, Bluecat Brady Hunter pulled down an interception giving the Cats the ball on the Sonora 40-yard line.  So as not to waste any time Carlton Brown immediately ran 40 yards for a touchdown, securing the victory for Coleman.  Jarod Dale’s PAT split the uprights, and Coleman led 35-14.  As the clock ran out, the Coleman Bluecats shook hands with their worthy opponents, and then jointly hoisted their well-earned “area” trophy high in the air for all Coleman fans to see.

Coleman rushed for 330 yards, while holding the Broncos to only 78 yards rushing.  Bluecat OB Austin Buzzard completed two of 10 passes for 56 yards (both of which were to Brandin Vasquez).  Sonora completed 14 of 33 passes for 207 yards.  Carlton Brown led the rushing effort with 28 carries for 172 yards, again boosting him over the 2,000 yard mark for the season.  Austin Buzzard carried the ball 14 times for 139 yards and Mall Royce carried six times for 18 yards.

Bluecat fans arrived in full force to the game Friday night.  Many had faces painted in blue and white, and some even wore blue wigs, just in case the face paint wasn’t enough.  The Big Blue Band put on a spectacular show during halftime (with their reputation of absolute excellence, we expect nothing less).  The offensive line blocked well, allowing for the huge offensive plays about which we boast. The defensive line will strike fear into the heart of any quarterback we face.  We’ve got a fantastic bunch of kids representing Coleman on the football field.  Friends and neighbors, it’s a great day to be a Coleman Bluecat fan!

Blondes do have more fun.  Just ask the Coleman Bluecat football players who dyed their hair blond prior to the area shootout against Sonora last Friday night at San Angelo.  It wasn’t so much the hair as the overall fine play of the Bluecats who seem to get better each week under the able direction of coach Rusty Buzzard and staff.  The Cat’s convincing 35-14 win over the Broncos went a long way to building confidence in a program which certainly has caught fire in 2005.

“I hope our win Friday night gives the people in our community the confidence in what we are trying to do here,” said coach Buzzard.  “We are very proud of our young men and the game that they played last week.  We had injuries (Sean Clawson and Chance Payne) and our backups stepped up and did a good job.  Our kids are improving all of the time, understanding the new system and they are continually getting better.  I thought our coaches did an excellent job against Sonora, defensively in making adjustments.  We got nervous a couple of times in the game when we were ahead 14-7 and 20-14 but we answered both times.  It was a great win.”

The Bluecats were inspirational throughout against Sonora with dogged determination.  Noseguard Silas Home probably most exemplified the Cats’ stubborn behavior on defense.  Saddled with complete exhaustion in the fourth period, Silas began vomiting after a Sonora offensive play near midfield.  He reluctantly came off the field and continued his heaving once there.  Moments later, the 155-pounder was pleading with coach Buzzard to re-enter.  He did.  “That’s what I call a real warrior,” Buzzard grinned.

On the offensive side of the ball, Carlton Brown continues his remarkable onslaught on opponent’s defenses.  The mild mannered, talented one rushed for 172 yards on 28 carries as he surpassed the 2,000 yard season rushing mark ... a real milestone for the senior running back who now has gained 2,126 yards on 277 carries.

Well, the celebration is over and the Bluecats are preparing for the Childress Bobcats who they will meet Friday night at the Mustang Bowl in Sweetwater at 7:00 p.m, in the Region I semi-finals.  For the 2005 Cats, it is another milestone in CHS sports history, advancing further in the playoff system than any other team since 1946.

Childress, representing District 8-2A, is 10-2 at the moment, with a bi-district 50-14 win over Spearman at Canyon and a 37-13 victory over Abernathy last Friday in area.  The Bobcats, with about the same enrollment numbers as Coleman High (308 to 305), returned 21 lettermen this year from a 7-4, 4-2 squad last year.  They made the playoffs last year but were defeated by Canadian, 53-42 in the bi-district round.  Among the returnees for Childress is junior QB Sawyer Vest who had a very fine year as a sophomore.  In Class 2A last year, Vest was third in passing in the state with 1,677 yards and 19 touchdowns ... and he was among the state’s leading rushers with 1,207 yards and 12 touchdowns.  Running back Joe Dixon rushed for 942 yards in 2004.  Childress rushed for 291 yards last week against Abernathy in their 37-13 win.  Vest had 118 yards rushing and scored on runs of 10, 41 and 10 yards.  Childress led 12-0 after a period of play and 18-13 at the break.  After a scoreless third period, the Bobcats, coached by Mark Manley, tallied 19 points.  Running backs Kenny Husband, Joe Dixon and Nephi Tipa added rushing touchdowns of one, 34 and five yards.  The Antelopes of Abernathy were held to 174 total yards in the game played at Canyon’s Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.  The Bobcats’ two losses were to Henrietta in district play, 28-14 and to 3A Iowa Park in non-district, 35-34.  Iowa Park plays Sweetwater on Friday in the Class 3A Division II semi-finals.  District 8-2A wins by Childress were over Seymour 31-0, Electra 48-36, Wichita Falls City View 32-0, Holliday and Olney, 40-11.  Non-district wins included West Texas High 42-7, Borger 40-27 and Lockney 23-12.

In the other Region, Division II semi-final game, ldalou (9-2) faces Crane (11-1).  Still alive in the state’s Sweet 16 are (Region 1) - Coleman, Childress, ldalou and Crane.  (Region 2) -  Hamilton, Celina, Crawford and Prosper.  (Region 3) - Garrison, Kerens, Omaha Paul Pewitt, and Mart.  (Region 4) - Blanco, Ganado / Skidmore - Tynan, Lexington and Schulenburg / LaVilla.  Tickets for the Bluecat-Bobcat matchup in Sweetwater Friday night are $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for students and $3.00 for senior citizens.  The Bluecats are visitors once again.

There’s a lot to be thankful for during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and CHS’ 2005 achievements should be included on the list.  On Friday night, the Bluecats will enjoy an athletic atmosphere at the Mustang Bowl that most 2A teams will never experience.  It’s a great place to play and I might add, a great place to spectate.  It’s your shining moment, Bluecats ... a trip to Week 13.  Have fun, play loose and enjoy the opportunity you so richly deserve.

Bluecat quarterback Austin Buzzard scampers around the left side for a part of his big yardage night.

Carlton Brown scoots around right end on his way to another Bluecat touchdown.

The Coleman Bluecat cheerleaders were all bundled up and rosy-cheeked at last Friday's game.  These lovely young ladies brave all kinds of weather to cheer on good old CHS.

Bluecat fans went to all lengths to profess their love for their football team at San Angelo Friday night.

Brandin Vasquez and Brady Hunter "stole" the show Friday night, by getting an enterception each against Sonora.

Coach Buzzard and his Bluecats celebrate the first Coleman Area win in over 50 years.

Carlton Brown, Austin Buzzard and the rest of the Coleman High School football team avenged an early-season loss to Sonora when it mattered most.  Brown rushed for 155 yards and four touchdowns, and Buzzard ran for another 113 yards and a touchdown to lead the Bluecats past the Broncos 35-14 in a Class 2A Division II area playoff game Friday at San Angelo Stadium.  Sonora defeated the Bluecats 14-6 in Week 2 of the regular season.  The Bluecats advanced to the regional round for the first time since 1949. (Editor's Note:  This is not correct ... see Coleman Bluecat Football Records.)  They will face Childress at a site and time to be determined.

''The first time we played them, we were still new to the system,'' Buzzard said.  ''They outplayed us that day.  I was more prepared for this game than I have ever been.''  Playing without starting quarterback Caleb Ramos, who left the game in the first quarter with a broken leg, the Broncos came out for the second half behind 14-0 and firing.  Backup quarterback Cullen Parker completed six straight passes and with the help of a 15-yard interference penalty on a pass to the end zone, gave the Broncos a first-and-goal at the 1-yard line.  On second-and-goal, Parker scored to cut the Coleman lead to 14-7. 

The Bluecats answered right back.  On third-and-9 at the Coleman 35-yard line, quarterback Buzzard got outside the Sonora defense and raced 65 yards down the sideline for a touchdown.  The extra point was no good, and Coleman led 20-7.  ''A lot of us were down after they scored,'' Buzzard said.  ''We came back and ran our offense to perfection.  That almost put the nail in their coffin, but they weren't going to give up.''  Late in the third quarter, Sonora's all-state linebacker, Steven Duhon, intercepted a Buzzard pass at the Sonora 23-yard line.  The Broncos took advantage, driving 77 yards in 23 plays and scoring on a 3-yard run by Parker to pull within six at 20-14 with 10:22 left in the game. 

''We had the momentum,'' Sonora coach Jason Herring said.  ''I finally thought we had it, but we stopped ourselves.  I didn't panic then.  I felt like we were going to score again.  We had to go with the hand we were dealt.  We just didn't make plays when we had opportunities.''  Sonora forced Coleman to turn the ball over on downs with five minutes left in the game.  After an incomplete pass on first-and-10 at the Sonora 21-yard line, Parker's deep pass on second down was intercepted by Coleman's Brandin Vasquez at the 50-yard line and returned inside the Sonora 10-yard line.  A personal foul penalty gave the Bluecats a first-and-goal from the 3-yard line, and Brown ran it in from there and added a two-point conversion run to give Coleman a 28-14 lead with 4:39 left in the game. 

After another Parker interception, the Bluecats added to their lead when Brown broke free for a 41-yard touchdown with 2:01 remaining in the game.  ''I was proud of the way we came back,'' Herring said.  ''That has been our character all year long.  We have come back a bunch.''

On the Broncos' first possession of the game, Ramos completed a 48-yard pass to Anthony Longoria to set Sonora up with a first-and-goal from the 10-yard line.  An 8-yard pass from Ramos to Nick Pena on third down set up a fourth-and-1, where Uriel Santana was stopped just short of the goal line and the ball went back to the Bluecats.  Ramos broke his leg on the play.  ''That one play changed the whole game,'' Herring said.  ''It should have been 7-0.  I thought we were in clearly.  It could have changed the whole momentum of the game.''  Coleman cashed in on that possession, driving 99 yards in 11 plays and scoring on a 2-yard run by Brown with 1:15 left in the first quarter.  Brown had a 37-yard run on the drive, and Buzzard had a 31-yard run. 

With Ramos out, the Broncos began to struggle offensively, crossing into Coleman territory on one of its three second-quarter drives.  With less than two minutes left in the first half, the Bluecats began a possession at their own 42-yard line and needed only two plays to score.  Brandin Vasquez caught a 44-yard pass from Buzzard on first down, then Brown ran it in from 14 yards out on the next play to give Coleman a 14-0 lead with 1:35 left in the first half.