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Switching back to familiar veer offense has sparked Refugio’s eight-game winning streak

Posted at 6:34 PM, Dec 06, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-06 19:42:52-05

Refugio will be facing a stiff challenge when the Bobcats square with No. 1 ranked and undefeated Mason tomorrow night at the Alamodome.

A chance to advance in the Class 2A Division I state quarterfinal will be at stake. But these aren’t the same Bobcats as earlier in the season. It’s not even close.

The Bobcats started 3-2, a slow start almost unheard of in terms of Refugio football.

But since then, they have steamrolled opponents, winning eight in a row to improve to 11-2.

There was a good reason for that slow start. Refugio tried to install a new offense, the veer to be exact.

And it was a slow early going that prompted Coach Jason Herring to re-think his plan.

“About week five, during our open week, we decided to go back to the familiar spread that we have been running for years,” Herring said. “The kids just bought in and have executed, listened to us, and trusted us and we are playing great football right now.

“As painful as though first five weeks were, we went 3-2 and lost to Mart and Goliad. It was a blessing in disguise because we are hitting our stride right now.”

Tight end Kaleb Wright says the transformation from the slow start has been dramatic.

“We just had some struggles at the beginning,” Wright said. “But we came through it and we built our family up and here we are.”

Refugio’s athleticism has been critical in the late surge, according to running back/linebacker Ysidro Mascorro. But it will be sorely tested by the 13-0 Punchers.

“I would say the biggest difference is going from the spread and going back to do what we do best and that’s the spread,” Mascorro said. “And our defense has stepped up and they are flying around.

“This has to be one of the fastest teams we have had. We are not the biggest, not the strongest Refugio team, but we are one of the fastest.”

And no one has been able to catch them the past eight games.