Cisco Loboes get revenge in first State Championship win

Refugio and Cisco battled again for the UIL Trophy

In a rematch of a battle for this same trophy, the Refugio Bobcats and Cisco Loboes once again met in the last game of the season.

Just like two years ago, this game started off tight.  Refugio opened with the ball and marched down the field to score on a drive that included a 28 yard pass TO Travis Quintanilla.  Yes, Refugio's record shattering QB caught a pass after slipping out of the backfield unnoticed during what appeared to be a reverse.  Sophomore, Isaiah Perez capped the drive with a 5 yard scamper to paydirt.  Refugio led 7-0 with 8:57 remaining in the 1st.

Cisco got the ball near midfield but their drive sputtered after just one first down.  Refugio then backed themselves up with a series of penalties before Quintanilla tossed an interception to Cisco's Kotie Hoover.  It would not be the last time his name was heard.

In the second Loboe possession, Cisco's running game chipped away at Refugio until Mason Reed hauled in a short pass and turned it into a 50 yard TD catch making the game 7-7 with 3:04 remaining in the 1st.

Cisco began to dominate the tempo with back to back defensive plays on Refugio's next drive.  A tackle for a loss by Mason Reed seemed to rattle the Bobcats and Quintanilla tossed his second interception of the game on the following play.   Justin McBride grabbed a duck tossed up after Quintanilla was pressured by Kaleb Rains.  Landen Lewis then took the first play and scampered down to the 5 on a 30 yard run.  A fake handoff turned into a 5 yard TD for QB, Colton Kent making the score 14-7 with 1:33 in the first.

On the very next play, Refugio's Quintanilla hit WR, Tyler Castellano who broke 3 tackles to go 74 yards for the score  14-14 at 1:20 in the 1st.  The quarter ended with things all tied up.

Cisco's next drive sputtered to a turnover on downs giving Refugio good field position once again.  Refugio responded with more penalties before the drive ended on a punt.

Kotie Hoover again made the stats book by catching a pass over the middle in full stride to stretch it into a 73 yard score.  The Loboes moved their lead to 21-14 with 8:43 left in the 2nd.

Refugio responded by once again marching the ball down the field to the Loboe six.   Cisco's defense tightened up and that seemed to put Quintanilla off his game.  After their fourth false start of the half, the next play saw Quintanilla with a receiver wide open in the flat but he tossed it out of reach.  On a fourth down and goal play, a pass down to the 1 foot line left Refugio out of the endzone when Kotie Hoover made yet another big defensive stop to protect the goal line.

With over 99 yards between them and a score, Cisco started their drive.  Two plays later, Mason Reed ran right up the gut untouched for 95 yards to give the Loboes a 28-14 lead with 3:12 remaining in the half.  Refugio responded with a solid drive that mixed passes and runs before Isaiah Perez took it across from the 1 for his second score of the night.  The score cut the lead to 28-21 with just 16 seconds to go in the half.  The teams went into the locker room with that score.

The second half started with Colton Kent rolling out and racing 63 yards for a the 35-21 lead.  Just one play (21 seconds) into the half, Cisco was starting to look like a team of destiny.  The ensuing kickoff showed more of the same as Mason Reed fell on the onside kick.  Kent then connected with Reed for a 45 yard score along the left sideline.  1:09 into the 3rd quarter saw Cisco extend their lead 42-21.  The two TDs came within 48 seconds of each other.

Refugio's answer to the scoring frenzy was another long drive that ended with Perez's 3rd TD of the night.  His six yard score cut the lead to 42-28 with 9:14 remaining in the 3rd, but the Bobcats seemed to be running out of steam.

Colton Kent steered the Loboes once again down the field using his running skills as well as his arm.  With just over 7 minutes to go in the 3rd, Landen Lewis took it 9 yards for a score.  The Cisco lead stretched back to 21 points 49-28.  Next, Quintanilla's third interception of the game (this time to JR, Cole Scott) ended what look to be developing into a good drive by Refugio.

Kotie Hoover caught a wide open pass at the fourteen and did some shuck and jive moves to dance into the endzone .  The 40 yard score stretched Cisco's lead to 56-28 with 2:35 to go in the 3rd.  Down by 28, Refugio seemed to be on the ropes but began to connect on passes as the third quarter came to an end.

The final quarter started with Refugio looking solid as they capped the drive with a TD score and a busted 2-pt conversion that turned into a score.  The score was not without a scare and Travis Quintanilla took a big hit that had all of Refugio holding their breath.  He hopped to his feet having closed the deficit 56-36 with 11:18 remaining.

The Bobcats attempted onside did not work and gave Cisco the ball at the Refugio 47.   A big lead and the ball in excellent field position meant absolutely no pressure on Cisco.  The Loboes proceeded to grind it out on the ground before being stopped on the 8.  Refugio took over with under 7 minutes to go and a 20 point deficit.

Once again, Cisco's defense stiffened as Quintanilla tried to throw deep but was unable to find open receivers.  Their second 4th down conversion attempt failed giving the ball back to Cisco at their 39 with just 3:48 remaining.  Cisco chewed up the clock and took the victory 56-36 to take their first ever state championship title in six tries!  Mason Reed (Rushing 12 carries for 149 yards and a TD; Receiving 2 catches for 95 yards and 2 TDs, 12 tackles, 1 INT) was awarded the LSG Player of the Game.

Colton Kent was awarded the Offensive Player of the Game
Mason Reed was awarded the Defensive Player of the Game

by Chris Doelle
Lone Star Gridiron
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