[2] With a reported enrollment of 2,993[3] (which combines the freshman campus and high school enrollments), the Bobcats of San Angelo Central compete with some of Texas' largest high schools as a member of Conference 6A of the University Interscholastic League, the state's governing body for public-school competition.

The Lady Cat soccer team, led by head coach Ben Henry, also made the playoffs four years running from 2008 to 2011, three times being knocked out in the bi-district round (2009, 2010, 2011) and once in the area championship game (2008).

[citation needed] The Lady Cats gymnastics team won back-to-back state championships four years.

[5] The Lady Cats volleyball team finished its 2007 season ranked 22nd by the Texas Girls Coaches Association.

[citation needed] Central High School Bobcats football had its heyday from the 1940s through the 1970s under head coaches Jewell Wallace, Bob Harrell, Emory Bellard, Dan Lagrasta, and Smitty Hill, winning state championships in 1943 (open class) and 1966 (Conference 4A, the largest classification at the time).

Beginning with the 2008–2009 academic year, the Bobcats, along with five of its newer Panhandle rivals, were to rejoin the four Odessa and Midland schools in an enlarged 10-team District 2-5A.

[11] On January 20, 2009, SAISD formally approved Brent Davis, from Alice in South Texas, as the new head football coach.

Davis' offensive and defensive coordinators from Alice were expected to be hired as Central assistant coaches.

They entered with a 4–6 record, winning their first game against El Paso Franklin before falling at home to Martin High School.