ORANGEFIELD — Last season, the Orangefield Bobcats snared their first playoff victory since 2003 by powering past Houston Kashmere 49-35.

This time out, the Bobcats will be looking to get past the first round by getting a little revenge as they will battle the Houston Worthing Colts Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Barbers Hill High School in the Class 4A Region III Division II bidistrict playoffs.

The Colts (7-3) ventured to Orangefield back on Oct. 2 and outlasted the Bobcats (5-5) 35-31 in an offensive shootout.

Both squads are coming off tough losses to close out the regular season. The Bobcats lost a battle for second-place in 9-4A by falling to Hamshire-Fannett 48-35 while the Colts fell to 10-4A champion La Marque 47-22.

Just like when they played the first time, the Bobcats will look to utilize a stout running game while trying to neutralize dynamic Worthing quarterback Alfred Robertson.

Orangefield senior quarterback Matthew Watkins has had a excellent run in his last campaign. Watkins has zipped for 1,164 yards and 12 touchdowns on 158 carries. He had 145 yards and a pair of scores in the loss to H-F last week.

Christopher McGee has returned to the lineup after missing several games. He had 76 yards on just six carries and two TDs against H-F and has 584 yards and nine TDs on 98 carries for the season.

Against Worthing in the first go-around, Watkins zipped for 203 yards on 19 carries while McGee had 172 yards on 29 carries.

Tristan McGee, Austin Moore and Wes Frillou also play key roles out of the backfield.

All eyes on the Bobcat defense will certainly be honed in on Robertson. In worthing’s win over the Bobcats Robertson completed 18-of-22 passes for 204 yards and ran for 141 yards on 20 carries.

Robertson has completed 112-of-186 passes for 1,954 yards to go along with 20 TDs and just three interceptions for the season while rushing for 1,189 yards and 15 TDs on 147 carries.

Robertson’s go-to man has been receiver Johnitz Robertson, who has hauled down 51 receptions for 1,073 yards and 12 TDs. Dee’Ago Thomas (19-317-3) and Tyshau Cox (20-279-3) also play key roles. Cox also has 659 yards and seven TDs on 68 carries.

The winner between the Bobcats and Colts will face either Giddings (10-0) or Sweeny (2-8) in the area round of the playoffs next week.