When the area matchup between Refugio and Rogers was set in stone, the rumblings around the state were of Rogers’ powerful run defense and how it would shut down the Bobcats’ lightning-like running game. For the Bobcats on this cool and breezy afternoon, it was just another day at the office. The Bobcats dominated everything Rogers had to offer and cruised to a 76-35 victory to advance to the Regional round of the playoffs.

The Bobcat offense carried on as usual, moving the ball down the field with ease, but the story in this game was the defense. The Bobcat defense effectively shut down Rogers’ offense and held them to just one touchdown until the final period when the starters were given a much-needed rest.

John Wesley Shipp and Devon LaFrance made key plays, keeping the Eagle offense on their heels. Jim LaFond was also a defensive standout, crushing Rogers’s ball carriers left and right.

Refugio started the game with the ball and drove 74 yards in 8 plays capping the drive off with a one-yard touchdown run by Draigon Silvas. Less than three minutes later, Travis Quintanilla tossed a perfect pass to Marcus Thompson for a touchdown to make the score 14-0.

Rogers answered with a touchdown of their own to close the gap 14-7. The Eagles would not see the end zone again until the fourth period. The Bobcats continued their onslaught, first with a 70-yard touchdown pass from Quintanilla to Silvas. Silvas would record his third touchdown just before the end of the quarter from the one-yard line to make the score 28-7.

The Bobcats would score twice in the second quarter, both on the legs of Silvas. The first from four-yards out and the second from the one-yard line, once again to make the score 42-7.

The Bobcat defense continued keeping the Eagle offense at bay with great plays from JB Brown and Draigon Silvas.

Quintanilla completed two large touchdown passes in the third period with a 53-yard pass to Thompson and a 63-yard TD pass to Chase Whetsel. A rare blocked extra point would tally the score at 55-7.

With the game well in hand, the second team defense took over in the fourth period and the Rogers offense found the end zone for the second time of the afternoon, making the score 55-14.

Whetsel answered back quickly, rumbling into the end zone from 27 yards out. Trading blows, Rogers scored again to make it 62-21. Taking over as quarterback, Brett Davis spiraled a beauty into the waiting hands of Whetsel to score another Bobcat touchdown from 51-yards out.

Rogers responded with another score but Davis showed he wasn’t done yet with another quick pass to Cameron Loveday for a 24-yard touchdown.

Rogers would make the final touchdown of the afternoon but it would be too little, too late and the Eagles were grounded 76-35.

The Bobcats advance to the Regional round to face the Lexington Eagles, the last team to ever beat the Bobcats two years ago.

The Bobcats leave no doubt that they will be ready. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 Friday night at Farris Stadium in San Antonio.