Doubts, Demons Cast Aside: Mason Suffocates Refugio in Second Half for Regional Title

SAN ANTONIO, TX-- Mason finally cast away the three year losing streak to Refugio with a 28-14 win at the Alamodome Friday afternoon. 

"This was a great football game," head coach Kade Burns said. "Two good football teams, two well-coached teams gave it their all. At the end that's all we can ask for."

Led by junior fullback Klay Klaerner and a stout defense, Mason was able to book their spot in the state semifinals for the first time in four years. Exorcising those past demons didn't come easy. Refugio scored first, Mason's starting QB was ejected for targeting late in the first half and a backup had to fill in on the shortest of notices.

"We've been preparing for this a long time for this game," Klaerner said. "To finally go out there and beat them, it felt really good for us." 

Klaerner had 82 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown. Jake Cockerham had 40 yards receiving with a touchdown as well.

However, Mason's defense stepped up on a stage where they felt they left something last year. Refugio scored 38 points against the Punchers in last year's regional final.

This year, Mason's defense came up with three turnovers, all interceptions. They also made stops, like on fourth-and-goal with 9 minutes, 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter when Rudy Martinez stuffed Refugio QB Austin Ochoa at the 1-yard line.

"We just kinda kept playing," Burns said. "That's what we told the kids all week. Just keep playing. Stay the course. Don't let your highs get too high. Don't let your lows get too low."

After Refugio opened the scoring, Mason responded with 21 unanswered points to take a 21-7 lead in the second. Refugio scored after senior Otto Wofford was ejected for targeting to make it 21-14 at the half.

That meant junior Whitt Bierschwale had to lead the Punchers to the win from then on. He didn't have to shine brightly, just outshine Refugio's defense. That he did.

Bierschwale and Mason then asserted their dominance with a nearly eight-minute drive resulting in a touchdown pass from Bierschwale to Ethan Powell to make it 28-14.

"That's a tough spot to be in," Burns acknowledged. "Starting quarterback comes out, Whitt comes in and commands the offense, throws a beautiful pass down here for a really big catch." 

That drive also set the Punchers up to shut out the Bobcats in the second half. Being able to do that tonight makes Mason feel nobody can stop them.

"We've got a lot of good things going," Klaerner added. "People are gonna have to prepare for that. It gives us a good feeling going into games knowing our defense is gonna stop them."

Burns isn't one for handing out game balls after a game, but gave one to Bierschwale for the way he stepped up.

"I think those kids rallied around Whitt," Burns said. "Whitt did a good job, but it was all those other guys around him ... It was a total team effort." 

Mason (14-0) will face San Augustine (12-2) in the state semifinals next week.