State Powerhouses Meet in Quarterfinals as Mason Takes on Refugio

SAN ANTONIO, TX — Despite a slow start to the season, the 10-3 Mason Punchers have gotten on track and are playing the top-ranked Refugio Bobcats (13-0) in the state quarterfinals at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio.

On paper, this season for the Mason Punchers hasn’t been the same as past seasons. They moved on from former head coach Michael McLeod after six really successful seasons and brought in Wade Griffin from Weimar.

Griffin stepped into a gauntlet as the Punchers played Wall, Brady and Junction in the first four weeks, losing all three games to get off to a 1-3 start.

Since the Junction game, the Punchers have not lost again. In district, outscored their opponents 190-20. They also were district champs yet again, making it 15 straight seasons.

In the playoffs, Mason has scored 52 points per game, while its defense has allowed 22 points per game.

What is really impressive is the Punchers only returned two starters on offense and defense this season, and they moved from their longtime Wing-T offense to a spread formation.

They carry a nine-game winning streak into this game, but they get perennial state powerhouse Refugio.

Longtime coach Jason Herring stepped down before last season and was replaced by Drew Cox, who led the team to an 11-2 record before falling to eventual state champion Ganado 14-6.

Refugio entered this season ranked No. 1 and has held that spot all year. The Bobcats earned revenge on No. 2 Ganado with a 40-13 win last week.

Refugio is led by quarterback Ray Lewis and running back Zander Wills. The duo has been super dangerous out of the backfield this season, rushing for just over 2,700 yards and 47 touchdowns.

Lewis’s passing numbers won’t blow anyone away, but he has gone 71-of-110 for 1,187 yards and nine touchdowns with three interceptions. His backup, Matthew Perez, has thrown for 576 yards and eight TDs.

Of the receivers, Lewis likes Laytyn Garza and Fabian Garcia.

Garza has 32 receptions for 735 yards and eight TDs, while Garcia has 515 yards and six scores. Those two take a lot of focus as Mikel Brown has 157 yards for two scores.

The Bobcat defense has been dominant so far this season. In district, they only gave up 30 total points over six games. In its nondistrict schedule, Refugio played 3A teams London, Edna and Cotulla. In those games, those teams only scored 33 points to Refugio’s 151.

In short, the Bobcats can play defense.

Three players have over 100 tackles, six have three or more sacks, and three players have three interceptions. Refugio’s tackle leader is junior Weston Myers, who has 140. Sophomore Nehimiah Cavasos has 127, and Zander Wills has 118.

Senior Taden Perez leads the team in sacks with six. Jaedynce Lewis Cavasos, Wills, Jason Delossantos and Thor Bass all have three.

Refugio also has 16 interceptions this season, led by Jaedynce Lewis, Garza, Perez with three.

It seems like for both of these teams, it’s state or bust every year. The last time Mason went to the title game was in 2018, when they had a perfect 16-0 season and beat Refugio in the fourth round.