Mason Unable To Complete Upset Bid Against No. 1 Refugio

SAN ANTONIO, TX — The Mason Punchers began the year as a young team having trouble finding its footing.

They ended it playing right with the No. 1-ranked team in the state.

Mason trailed by only one point heading into the fourth quarter against heavily favored Refugio on Thursday before the Bobcats pulled away for a 27-13 win in the Class 2A Division I state quarterfinals at San Antonio’s Heroes Stadium.

The Punchers started the season with a 1-3 record, but they reeled off 10 straight wins and proved they belonged with the best in the state by the time the year ended.

Mason led 7-6 at the end of the first quarter and trailed only 14-7 at halftime.

The Punchers pulled within 14-13 with 3:07 left in the third quarter when Slade Buell found Christian Gammill for a 3-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and goal.

The extra point missed, however, and Mason was never able to seriously threaten again.

Refugio scored twice in the fourth quarter and all but put the game away when Zander Wills broke away for a 42-yard TD run with 5:35 remaining.

Refugio improved to 14-0 and will play the winner of San Augustine and Joaquin next week as the Bobcats chase their fifth state title in program history.

Mason’s season ended with a record of 10-4.

Refugio took only four plays to march down the field on the game's opening drive and take a quick 6-0 lead on an 11-yard run by Ray Lewis.

Mason responded on the ensuing drive, however, on a 55-yard TD run by Kingston Garza for a 7-6 lead.

The game remained scoreless from there until Refugio's Wills scored on a 4-yard run with 1:55 left in the first half for a 14-7 Bobcats' lead at halftime.

After Mason pulled within 14-13 late in the third quarter, the Punchers had a chance to make a defensive stop with Refugio facing a fourth-and-8 at the Mason 26-yard line.

The game turned for good on the next play when Lewis found Laytyn Garza for a 26-yard TD pass with nine minutes remaining for a 21-13 lead.

Mason's offense went three-and-out on its next drive, and the Bobcats took advantage with Wills' 42-yard TD run.

Refugio's defense forced four turnovers — including two interceptions by Garza — and the Bobcats also had a big stop on a fourth-and-2 in the final minutes on a last-gasp drive by Mason.

The Punchers forced only one turnover, a fumble that was recovered by sophomore George Velez, but they managed to slow down an offense that was averaging a whopping 52 points per game heading into the night.

Last week, No. 2-ranked Ganado was overwhelmed 40-13 by Refugio.

Mason has been one of the best 2A teams in the state for years, but the Punchers returned only two starters on each side of the ball this season, and they had a new head coach in Wade Griffin, who was implementing a new spread offense.

All of that helps explain the Punchers' slow start, not to mention a schedule that included Wall and Junction, which are both still alive in the state quarterfinals.

Yet Mason showed what it was capable of by the time district and the playoffs rolled around, and the Punchers once again found themselves playing football in December.

With all of that experience and numerous starters returning, they should be a team to contend with again next season.

Refugio 27, Mason 13

Mason   7   0   6   0 — 13

Refugio   6   8   0   13 — 27

First Quarter

R - Ray Lewis 11 run (kick failed), 10:46 remaining

M - Kingston Garza 55 run (Lisandro Segura kick), 8:06

Second Quarter

R - Zander Wills 4 run (Wills run), 1:55

Third Quarter

M - Christian Gammill 3 pass from Slade Buell (kick failed), 3:07

Fourth Quarter

R - Laytyn Garza 26 pass from Lewis (kick good), 9:00

R - Wills 42 run (kick failed), 5:35