By Mike Forman
Victoria Advocate
Shiner and Refugio will play Friday at Jack Sportsman Bobcat Stadium in Refugio with the winner likely to capture the District 15-2A, Division I championship. Two-time defending state champion Shiner (7-1, 3-0) comes into the game ranked No. 2 in the Padilla Poll and Refugio (6-1, 2-0) is ranked No. 3 in the Padilla Poll. Here are five things to know as the Comanches and Bobcats play for the 10th time.
Recent rivalry
Shiner and Refugio had not played each other until becoming district opponents in 2014. Refugio won that game 34-28 in overtime on a 25-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Perez on the Bobcats’ first play from scrimmage in overtime. Refugio’s Jason Herring has been the head coach for every Shiner game. Shiner has had two head coaches during the rivalry, Steven Cerny and Daniel Boedeker. Refugio leads the overall series 6-3.
Winning traditions
Shiner and Refugio are consistent winners and rarely miss the playoffs. Refugio has been to the postseason every year since 1991, and Shiner has made the playoffs every year since 1997. Refugio has made 10 state final appearances and won five state championships. Shiner has made six trips to the state final and won four state championships.
Memorable moments
Shiner’s first win over Refugio came in the 2015 district game at Comanche Stadium. Shiner set the tone on the opening kickoff with Chad Neubauer’s tackle of Isaiah Perez. Shiner went on to a 30-19 victory. Refugio got its revenge by taking a 17-14 win in the regional final at Alamo Stadium in San Antonio. The Bobcats scored the decisive points on a fourth-down halfback pass from the Shiner 6-yard line. The pass was thrown by Anthony Delgado, who had knee surgery and did not play until the playoffs.
But for drama, it would be hard to top the 2019 regional semifinal at Rutledge Stadium in Converse. Shiner led by 13 points with 3:04 left in the fourth quarter behind running back Donyai Taylor, who rushed for 285 yards and five touchdowns. But the Bobcats, who scored 31 points in the fourth quarter, rallied behind three touchdown passes by Austin Ochoa to pull within a point before Javon Williams recovered an onside kick that led to Jordy Martinez’s 35-yard field goal with 5 seconds remaining in the 45-43 win.
Top performances
The game has produced some outstanding individual efforts. But it would be hard to overlook the play of Refugio quarterback Austin Ochoa and Shiner running back Dalton Brooks. Ochoa passed for 352 yards and three fourth-quarter touchdowns and rushed for 163 yards and two touchdowns in the Bobcats’ 45-43 win in the 2019 regional final. Brooks rushed for 384 yards and six touchdowns in the Comanches’ 55-14 win in the 2021 regional finals.
Do it again
The winner will not only put itself in line for the district title but also the top seed in the playoffs. If the loser takes care of business, it will finish second. The teams could have a rematch in the regional final. Shiner lost its season opener to Class 3A, Division I Hallettsville, and Refugio lost its first game to Class 3A, Division I Hitchcock. Shiner is averaging 44.1 points per game and allowing an average of 9.4 points per game. Refugio is averaging 44.7 points per game and yielding an average of 12.8 points per game.
Refugio v Shiner through the Years
2014, Refugio 34, Shiner 28, OT
2015, Shiner 30, Refugio 19
2015, Refugio 17, Shiner 14 (Regional Final)
2016, Refugio 35, Shiner 0
2017, Refugio 35, Shiner 0
2018, Refugio 56, Shiner 41 (Regional Semi-Final)
2019, Refugio 45, Shiner 43 (Regional Semi-Final)
2020 Shiner 24, Refugio 13 (Regional Final)
2021 Shiner 55, Refugio 14 (Regional Final)