The Barracudas got within six points in the final quarter but still couldn’t get their first win against the Odessa Roughnecks in an 81-62 loss on Saturday night.
The loss drops the Barracudas to 2-2 on the year while Odessa improved to the same record.
With one minute left in the game, Odessa fullback DeWayne Hogan was tackled in the end zone for a safety to pull the Barracudas to 68-62, but the Barracudas fumbled in the end zone on their next possession and the Roughnecks recovered for a 74-62 lead. Odessa then made a defensive stand, getting the ball back on downs deep in Barracuda territory, and added the final score on an easy run from 8 yards out.
It looked as if it would be a see-saw battle until the Roughnecks went on their scoring spree just before intermission to take a 47-26 lead into the locker room. The Barracudas tied the game at 19-19 at the beginning of the second quarter when Bart Gloyd found Olan Coleman uncovered in the right corner of the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown pass. But as the Roughnecks did the entire game, they promptly responded.
Odessa wide receiver Jimmy Conner, who finished with five receptions for 88 yards, made a sliding catch at the CenTex 2 to get the Roughnecks close. From there Torrey Day sprinted into the end zone untouched as the Roughnecks regained the lead.
CenTex failed to answer as its ensuing drive stalled when Gloyd, who was sacked seven times for minus-22 yards, was thrown for a loss, and kicker Kyle Robinson missed wide right on a field goal attempt.
Odessa wasted no time increasing its lead as quarterback Dennis Gile found wide receiver Don Robinson open in the right flat. Robinson, who led the game with 102 yards on four catches, stepped away from two defenders, then raced down the sideline for a 45-yard scoring pass play.
The Barracudas will be at Louisiana (4-0) on Saturday.
