By
Chris Furguson
Friday the 13th is a day that some believe is unlucky.  A day where superstition overrides the otherwise rational minds of men and women.
For some in Brawley, Friday, November 13th will be considered unlucky as their Wildcats lost a close game to Central 23-18 at Cal Jones Field in El Centro.
The most unlucky parts for Brawley came off the foot of Xavier Martinez, who missed every extra point and field goal attempt, along with a 73-yard rushing touchdown that came one play after Brawley closed an early gap in the score.
The game began quickly for Central when quarterback J.T. Adams threw a 45 yard touchdown pass to Tyler Guizar with more than 8 minutes left in the quarter.
On Brawley’s kick return, Aaron Ortega fumbled the return, with Central recovering.  When the Wildcat’s defense stopped the Spartans, kicker Rafael Bustos kicked a 20-yard field goal, making the score 10-0.
With 1:47 left to go in the first quarter, Brawley scored their first points of the game, thanks to the feet of quarterback Donnie Wharton who ran for a one yard touchdown.  Unfortunately, Martinez missed his PAT very wide to the left, making the score 10-6.
During an almost blank second quarter, the only score of the game came off the foot of Bustos, who kicked a field goal at the end of the half and made the score 13-6.
At halftime, the Great Spartan Band played a medley of Michael Jackson songs, including “Billie Jean,” “Bad” and “The Way You Make Me Feel.”
At the start of the third quarter, Brawley kicked off to Central, but held the Spartans were unable to score a 28 yard field goal with 6:14 left on the clock.
Brawley’s A.B. Oceguera then scored with 2:50 left in the third after an 8-yard run, but Martinez missed the PAT, making the score 13-12.
Unfortunately, on Central’s next play after the kickoff, running back Cody Johnson made a 73-yard touchdown run, followed by a Bustos pat, making the score 20-12.
At the start of the fourth quarter, The Wildcats scored a 17-yard touchdown run off the feet of Dylan Mohamed, but were unable to score on a 2-point conversion, making the total 20-18 in favor of Central.
Central’s Bustos failed a field goal, but made a second one a few minutes later, making the score 23-18.
A late Brawley fumble sealed the game for the Spartans.
Central now has a home game against Clairemont Chieftans in the CIF playoffs while Brawley travels to El Capitan in Lakeside to face the Vaqueros.  Game time for both games will be at 7 pm.