Refugio Breaks Loose on Second Half, Defeating Mason in State Quarterfinal

SAN ANTONIO, TX- The Refugio Bobcats took down the Mason Punchers in a second half romping that ended 38-14.

"We couldn't get any first downs and move the sticks," said Mason Punchers Head Coach Kade Burns of his offense in the second half. "We couldn't get our offense on the field long enough to give out offense a break, they kept moving us around."

WATCH: Mason Head Coach Kade Burns:
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The first quarter between the Bobcats and Punchers was a back and forth affair with both offenses trading punts and big time plays.

Mason's signal caller Otto Wofford was the first find the end zone with an electrifying 43-yard touchdown run that put the Punchers up 7-0 with less than three to go in the first quarter.

Refugio answered right back on their following possession with a touchdown pass from Jared Kelley to Jamel LaFond for 53 yards to even the score at 7 going into the second quarter.

Both teams traded punts again In the second, but a costly Refugio fumble allowed Mason to extend their lead on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Wofford to Jake Comey.

To end the half the Bobcats managed to put three more points on the board on a successful 33-yard field goal by Diego Gonzales to make the score 14-10 in favor of Mason.

Although Mason was on top it felt like Refugio was bound to break out at any point after having nearly twice the amount of yards on offense compared to Mason in the first half.

In the third, Kelley put together a nice drive capped off by Jacobe Avery who acted as a wildcat option throughout the game for the Bobcats. His one-yard touchdown gave Refugio their first lead of the night over the Punchers 17-14 and the Bobcats never looked back from that point on.

The Bobcats continued to explode for 28 unanswered points in the second half after they failed to get anything going early in the game due to multiple turnovers.

Kelley and LaFond had a special connection on the night that drove their offensive attack to 38 total points and over 400 yards of total offense.

Mason allowed only 47 points on the year and no more than 7 in a game, but the Powerful Refugio offense was too much too handle for the Punchers.

Wofford was a playmaker for Mason on every side of the ball including special teams, but could not get his team going on third downs. The Punchers failed to convert any of their ten third down opportunities and had their last attempt intercepted for a touchdown.

After the game, Refugio Head Coach Jason Herring spoke to both teams and left some words of encouragement for the Punchers.

"It's a shame anyone had to lose that game," Herring said.

"That makes us realize that we're just playing a game and helping mankind is more important," Herring said with a tear in his eye. Mason helped the relief effort in Refugio after Hurricane Harvey.

#6 Refugio (12-1) will move on the the Class 2A State Semifinals against San Augustine (14-0) while #2 Mason (13-1) has their hopes of an undefeated season dashed.

Mason vs. Refugio Quarter-Final Texas Football 2A D1 Playoff #TXHSFB on Twitter