In Class 2A Division II's Region III & IV, the big glaring spotlight cintinues to shine on the Refugio Bobcats, not just from a local, regional and statewide level, but from a national level as well. After Refugio's 91-6 win against Freer during district play and averaging just over 59 points a game in 2011, the entire country is waiting to see what Refugio will do for an encore in the 2012 season. Whether you agree or disagree with the approach, the is no argument that the prep for the drive to the state championship paid off as the Bobcats edged out a one point win over Cisco in the state championship. The Bobcats have QB Travis Quintanilla back again for his junior season alongside LB Chase Gumm and DB Chase Whetsel.
Aside from Refugio, there are other solid teams that have a shot getting through Regions III and IV. Looking at the highly competitive Region III, the front runner is a toss up between two 10-2A2 foes in the Arp Tigers and Garrison Bulldogs. Arp in 2011 reached the state quarterfinals while Garrison climbed its way into the Class 1A Division I State Semifinals. With players such as Michael Roberson and John Hawlins back for the Tigers and Paul Stokes and Cameron Rodriguez back for the Bulldogs, the two 10-2A2 teams will be at the top of their game and will have remain so, if they intend to turn some eyes in the month of December.
The Region III race isn't entirely up to Arp and Garrison. The always dangerous Elysian Fields Yellow Jackets have reason to be optimistic much like their own district rivals Hughes Springs and Paul Pewitt. The big test for DT Bruce Woods and the Yellow Jackets comes in Week 2 at home against the Arp Tigers. Elysian Fields has both Hughes Springs (Week 8) and Paul Pewitt (Week 10) at home in 2012.
Looking beyond the Refugio Bobcats in Region IV, there can be a case made that someone other than the Bobcats can get out of the region and into the state championship picture. Teams like Lexington, East Bernard, Rogers and Poth are just licking their chops waiting for the golden opportunity and for the window to come swinging open. Both Lexington and East Bernard are loaded with talent that can take over a game in just one drive and march down the field. Between Lexington's Kogan Garrett and East Bernard's Ty Slanina in 2011, there is a nearly combined 5,800 yards of offense. The leadership and coaching from both teams could give Refugio a run for the money. In the not too distant window is Rogers, Poth and Schulenburg also looking to make the region a stellar and much more competitve region that expected. |
REGION III |
1 |
Arp |
2 |
Garrison |
3 |
Elysian Fields |
4 |
Hughes Springs |
5 |
Corrigan-Camden |
6 |
Crawford |
7 |
Paul Pewitt |
8 |
Hemphill |
REGION IV |
1 |
Refugio |
2 |
Lexington |
3 |
East Bernard |
4 |
Rogers |
5 |
Poth |
6 |
Schulenburg |
7 |
Banquete |
8 |
Blanco |
|
