No. 5 Refugio, No. 4 Shiner meet in district opener
Friday, October 9, 2015
by Mike Forman, Victoria Advocate Sports
Victoria Advocate Sports Article | Shiner Comanche Football | Shiner Comanche Sports
Refugio and Shiner have combined to make 10 state final appearances and win five state championships.
Eyes wide open, Shiner running back Dadrian Taylor runs through a hole against Goliad.
[ click on any photo to enlarge ]Frank Tilley, The Victoria Advocate
But the tradition-rich football programs had never crossed paths until last season's District 15-2A, Division I opener at Refugio's Jack Sportsman Bobcat Stadium.
The wait was worthwhile as the team's went into overtime before Refugio captured a 34-28 decision.
"Last year's game was an electric atmosphere in Refugio," said Shiner senior lineman Taylor Mraz. "It was a really hard-fought game. We had some errors that could have clinched the game for us, but you have to give them props because they made some good plays."
"It was a pretty hard game," agreed Refugio junior lineman Trace Mascorro. "They were pretty solid on defense and we were too. It was pretty cool."
The teams will meet again in this year's district opener at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Shiner's Comanche Stadium.
The Bobcats come into the game with a 4-1 record and ranked No. 5 in the Class 2A state poll.
Their loss came to Cameron Yoe, ranked No. 4 in the state Class 3A poll.
"They are probably more explosive than last year," said Shiner coach Steven Cerny. "Just knowing what they have returning. You go play Yoe and without three key starters and still be in the ball game like that, they're going to be good."
The Comanches have a 5-0 record and are ranked No. 4 in the state poll.
Shiner quarterback Brandon Cerny keeps the ball and runs up the middle against Goliad.
[ click on any photo to enlarge ]Frank Tilley for The Victoria Advocate
"They look identical to last year, but with more speed because they have No. 3 (Dadrian Taylor) in the backfield," said Refugio coach Jason Herring. "The quarterback (Brandon Cerny) is a typical Shiner kid - the coach's boy, very, very smart, great athlete, very well coached, very disciplined. (Chad) Neubauer is back and three of their five offensive linemen are back. They really look exactly like they did last year. I think it's almost the spitting image of last year's team except last year they had the two speed guys out wide and now they have one speed guy out wide - and even 22 (Ty Boedeker) can run too - and they have Dadrian Taylor in the backfield."
Refugio's biggest challenge will be stopping Shiner's veer offense, which has averaged over 38 points per game.
"We have to do everything right," Mascorro said. "A little mistake, they'll bust and score. That's how good they are. In this game, it's all going to be assignments. You have to own up to your position and do everything right."
Shiner, which has a majority of players starting on offense and defense, will have to contend with Refugio's tempo offense led by quarterback Jaylon Mascorro, running back Isaiah Perez, and receivers Daidrin Dukes, Robert Frazier, Les Rhodes, Jacobe Avery and Omri Oliver.
"We're going to have to do the little things right," Mraz said. "Our technique, our footwork because they have some quick guys out there. We prepare for that by going as hard as we can in practice and getting ourselves in shape so when that time comes we're ready for it."
Refugio quarterback Jaylon Mascorro, left, hands off to Isaiah Perez during practice Monday.
[ click on any photo to enlarge ]Jaime Carrero for The Victoria Advocate
The winner will have a clear path to the district championship, and will likely avoid a second-round playoff game with Mason, which eliminated both teams last season.
"It's the same situation this year," Cerny said. "Whoever wins our district is going to be able to avoid Mason. But you never know what can happen."
"I know in the back of my mind it does have playoff implications, but we're really looking at it as the district championship and that's always been real important," Herring said. "I think it's special to be the district champ."
Refugio won the district championship last year and extended its district winning streak to 49 games.
But both teams have bigger ultimate goals in mind and expect to get a taste of what's to come by playing each other.
"All of these kids - even our sophomores and juniors - have been a part of big games," Cerny said. "That's something we expect here in Shiner."
"What's going to happen Friday is why you sign up to play football in Refugio," Herring added. "To get to play in a game like this. It's No. 4 vs. No. 5. It's going to be a packed house. It's going to be one of the best games in the state just like Cameron Yoe was two weeks ago. I like preparing for games that have meaning because it feels like the playoffs."
Mike Forman is a sports writer for The Victoria Advocate.
Contact him at 361-580-6588, or by e-mail at mforman@vicad.com.
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