SAN ANGELO — A slow start and potentially back-breaking special teams play out of halftime left the Abilene High football team in need of a substantial fourth-quarter comeback Friday, and the Eagles almost pulled one off in their season opener at San Angelo Central.

AHS rallied from a 21-3 third-quarter deficit to pull within one score midway through the final period, and the Eagles got the ball back in the final minute with a chance to complete the comeback. But a Hail Mary attempt from their own side of the field was batted away on the final play, allowing the Bobcats to celebrate a 28-23 victory in the 100th all-time meeting between the teams.

Friday’s outcome snapped Abilene High’s three-game winning streak against Central, giving the Bobcats a narrow 48-47-5 lead in a series that dates back to 1910.