Tigers speed checks Refugios big-play ability
Refugio's longest play against Daingerfield went for 34 yards and it came on a halfback pass from Draigon Silvas to Cory Brown.
Daingerfield's speed on defense neutralized the Bobcats' big-play ability and helped the Tigers claim a 35-10 Class 2A, Division II semifinal win on Saturday night at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville.
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Refugio was making its first appearance in the semifinals since 2000 and ended the season at 14-1.
Daingerfield improved to 14-1 and will play for its second consecutive state championship against Bushland (15-0) on Saturday at 5 p.m. at Wichita Falls' Memorial Stadium.
Refugio had five runs for more than 10 yards and completed three passes for 10 yards or more against the Tigers.
All but one of those plays came in the second half after Daingerfield had built a 28-7 lead.
"Hats off to them, they are a great, great ballclub," Refugio coach Jason Herring said. "Obviously it shows how fast they are and how dominant they are on defense.
"We had to work for every single yard on offense. Normally we're busting those for long plays. We were doing a real good job and there were holes, but the holes closed so fast because they're so talented."
The Bobcats were able to control the ball for over 11 minutes during an 83-yard drive that stretched through the first and second quarters and produced a field goal.
But Daingerfield took advantage of four Refugio turnovers to score three of their four second-quarter touchdowns and force Refugio to play catch up.
"We were ready to come back," senior Dylan Klare said. "We still had high hopes. We we ready to go. We came out giving our all. We just couldn't do it."
Daingerfield had been averaging over 57 points per game during the playoffs.
But the Refugio defense limited the Tigers to 275 total yards. Only one of Daingerfield's scoring drives began on its side of the 50-yard line and two went for 25 yards or less.
"I would say they could be state champs," said Daingerfield wide receiver Chris Jones, who has committed to Texas. "They played their hearts out and they were good. They're probably best defense I've ever faced besides Gilmer. They're the real deal."
"They're young," Jones added. "I give credit where credit is due and pretty much they top it."
Refugio will return eight starters on defense and seven on offense next season and should be in position to make another playoff run.
"It was a pretty good season and we had good team chemistry," junior Terrence Smith said. "We need to practice harder and not make any mistakes."
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