The San Angelo Standard-Times will be previewing local high school football teams throughout August in anticipation of the 2025 season.
San Angelo Central Bobcats
District: 2-6A
2024 record: 4-6, 1-4
Head coach: Mark Smith
Most recent district championship: 2017
State titles: 1943, 1966
What to know
The Bobcats had a three-game improvement in Mark Smith’s first year, particularly developing on defense, where they went from giving up 463 points to only giving up 342 in 2024. They return 35 lettermen, including seven starters on offense and defense with multiple years of varsity experience. Even with many experienced varsity athletes, Smith said there will still be plenty of competition at most positions, and some athletes will play on both sides of the ball.
As of right now, Micah Smith – Mark Smith’s son – looks to be cemented as the starting quarterback as camp begins. The skill position group will mostly be the same as last year, headed by a strong group of receivers in Jimmy Edwards, Colton Hill, Gavin Johnson and Casner Stribling.
Mark Smith said he is excited about the size and versatility of sophomore running back Zeyvion Johnson, who showed flashes as a runner and pass catcher during spring practices and summer workouts.
The offensive line is facing the most turnover this year and features a few select athletes starting on offense and defense.
The Little Southwest Conference postseason is a wide-open race, with many teams like Midland High, Odessa High and Wolfforth Frienship losing key players to graduation as Central looks primed for its first playoff trip in two years.
Coach Mark Smith on the 2025 season
“We lost five games by a total of 27 points,” Smith said. “I think the biggest thing for me was I was happy with last season, in terms of the head coach knowing what my team was and the people that we played. We were not as talented, we were physically pushed around up front and we weren’t as developed physically as the people that we played in our league — and to be in that position and be so close. I think now that I have a team that is physically developed, that is one more year mature and that does have qualities you’re looking for in a winner, it pushes you over the top. I’ve said this many times, I think we made a lot of people nervous last year. They didn’t really want to play us. We weren’t as good, but we closed the gap on everybody, and I think we have a team that’s poised to just take the next step.”
2025 schedule
Week 1 – San Angelo Central at Abilene High, 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29
Week 2 – Amarillo High at San Angelo Central, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5
Week 3 – Abilene Cooper at San Angelo Central, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12
Week 4 – San Angelo Central at Belton, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19
Week 5 – San Angelo Central at Waco High, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26
Week 6 – OPEN
Week 7 – Midland Legacy at San Angelo Central, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10
Week 8 – San Angelo Central at Odessa Permian, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17
Week 9 – Midland High at San Angelo Central, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24
Week 10 – San Angelo Central at Odessa High, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31
Week 11 – Wolfforth Frenship at San Angelo Central, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6
Paul Witwer covers high school sports and Angelo State University sports for The San Angelo Standard-Times. Reach him at sports@gosanangelo.com. Follow him on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, @Paul_Witwer.
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: With experience and talent, Central high school football eye playoff push in District 2-6A
Reporting by Paul Witwer, San Angelo Standard-Times / San Angelo Standard-Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
