Experienced Junction Team Takes on Mason in Hill Country Rivalry

MASON, TX— The undefeated Junction Eagles are taking on the rival Mason Punchers at the Puncherdome this Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.

After being beaten by the Punchers 19 times in a row, the shoe might be on the other foot this season as the Eagles are 3-0 and ranked No. 6 in the state in Class 2A Division II, while Mason is 1-2 and unranked in 2A D-I.

Mason has a new head coach in Wade Griffin and only returned two starters on offense and defense. The Punchers started off the season against the Wall Hawks, and it wasn’t the best game to get a view of who Mason would be this season.

With a basically brand-new team, the Hawks beat Mason, 48-7. Then, the Punchers took on the Brady Bulldogs and lost 24-22 before getting their first win of the season against the Coleman Bluecats, 50-9.

Junction is fresh off a 12-2 record and made it four rounds deep into the playoffs last season before losing to the Shiner Comanches, 27-0. The Eagles ran through their district to a perfect 6-0 record and allowed 66 points in four playoff games, including the 27 given up to Shiner. They shut out Somerville in the third round, 32-0.

Junction quarterback Chasen Doyal returned after putting up respectable numbers last season, going for 1,606 yards, 25 passing touchdowns, and adding 353 yards and four scores on the ground.

This season, the Eagles have beaten Goldthwaite (40-16), San Saba (20-6) and Early (34-14).

Mason has had Junction’s number for nearly two decades and have beaten the Eagles 19 straight times, with Junction last winning the matchup in 2006, 21-0. Overall, Mason completely owns this rivalry, 30-5.

Junction has big-time aspirations this season, and notching a win over the Punchers would send a message even if this Mason team is still pulling all the pieces together. The Punchers are on the right track, but this Eagles team could be too experienced.

The game will be held in Mason at the Puncherdome at 7 p.m. Friday