Refugio, ranked No. 6 in Class 2A polls, overcame the interceptions to win decisively after amassing 29 first downs and 421 yards in offense and shutting down St. Joe by allowing only 5 first downs and 91 yards in offense. Despite that the Flyers were quick and hit hard but were just overmatched by the Bobcats.
The game began with Refugio kicking off to the Flyers to the end zone. A good return set up the Flyers at their 38-yard line but on first down a hard hit on the St. Joe ball carrier caused a fumble and Jourdan Ortiz pounced on the ball at the 38.
The Refugio offense failed to move on its first possession and gave up the ball on downs at the Flyer 43. St. Joe, by the same token, failed to move and was forced to punt. Ortiz fielded the punt and returned it to the Cat 29.
On the first play quarterback Kyle H. Heldley hit Ortiz with a pass down the left sideline, good for 33 yards to the Flyer 38. Six plays later Terrence Smith rolled over from 6 yards out for a TD. Jhostan Padron, Refugio’s new place kicker, parted the uprights and Refugio led 7-0 midway through the first period.
On St. Joe’s next possession the Flyers failed to move. They had to give up the ball on downs at their 30, giving the Cats good field position. However, an interception by Hayden Vesley, the first of two, thwarted the promising drive.
The Bobcats would threaten minutes later as they took over on a punt to their 6-yard line. The drive, which consumed much of the second quarter clock and included 16 plays, ended up with Refugio giving up the ball within the Flyer 5-yard line.
The Cats would have another scoring opportunity before halftime as they moved to the St. Joe 22 before an interception killed the drive.
The second half opened with Refugio taking the kickoff at its 54. The offense was moving but again an interception killed the drive. And again late in the third quarter, the Cats had marched from their 7 to the Flyer 27 only to have the drive stall.
It was still anybody’s game as the fourth quarter began. Refugio’s 7-0 lead was precarious and the Cats were somewhat frustrated in being stalled on promising drives.
The positive part was that the Bobcat defense was shutting down the Flyer offense which had made a real threat during the game.
Then the running game really got started. Utilizing the running of Smith, Charlie Henderson, and Aaron Perez, the Cats got rolling and it paid off.
Early in fourth stanza Refugio took over on a punt to its 28-yard line. Eating up pretty good chunks of real estate, the Cats moved to the 10-yard line where Smith raced in for a touchdown. Padron was good on his kick and the Cats had breathing room at 14-0 early with 9:06 left to play.
Refugio’s last TD was set up when Bryan Castellano picked off a Flyer pass and returned it to the St. Joe 26-yard line. Smith made 21 yards on first down to the 5. There he ran in for a touchdown. Padron finished the scoring with his kick and Refugio held on for a 21-0 win.
Smith ran for 155 yards on 22 carries to lead all rushers. Henderson added on 62 yards and Perez 59 yards rushing. Hendley did not have his best night as he hit on only 8 of 19 passes for 104 yards with Ortiz making 7 of those catches for 94 yards. The Cat defense was outstanding in its performance.
Coach Herring’s Bobcats will now host the Hallettsville Brahmas who fell to a tough Edna team Friday, 26-12.
Last year Refugio defeated the Brahmas, 28-25, and this game can be expected to be just as tough. The Cats are 5-5 in their match ups with the Brahmas.
Game time at Bobcat stadium is 7:30 PM.
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