Everything you need to know ahead of Miller, Sinton and Refugio state quarterfinals

To make it to the regional final, high school football teams obviously have to be extremely talented, but at the same time, good fortune, unheralded players stepping up and key moments all factor into a deep playoff run.

Miller, Sinton and Refugio have checked off all of those boxes.

All came into the season among the favorites in their regions, and all have lived up to the billing.

While the Bobcats and Pirates have state semifinal appearances in the recent past, Miller is trying to reach the state's football "Final Four" for the first time since 1963.

Here are some of the reasons why all three teams are playing December football.

One Key Play

Miller Buccaneers

Not to overlook forcing two key second quarter turnovers in Edinburg in the area round, it is easy to pick out the big play for Miller.

Trevor Long hitting Corey Holmes for a game-winning touchdown with 14 seconds remaining last week at Buc Stadium will go down as one of the biggest plays for Miller in a generation.

With the season hanging in the balance, the junior quarterback drove Miller down the field for the go-ahead score as if it was any drive in the second quarter of a non-district game, and Holmes made the play to keep the Bucs season alive.

Sinton Pirates

The Pirates got over a huge hump in the area round, upending Lago Vista, the team that eliminated them in 2022.

The second-half comeback was enabled by a forced fumble and recovery from Andrew Silva, that set up a 40-yard touchdown bomb from Triston Handson to Jacoby James to give Sinton the lead for good.

Refugio Bobcats

The Bobcats dominance in Region IV this season is underscored because they haven't needed one big play to enable their run.

Refugio has rattled off wins by margins of 62, 69 and 28 points in three playoff games.

That will likely change this week against a Ganado team that battled with Refugio in a Week 11 district championship tilt.

Stepping up

There's no question the final three teams gearing up for the regional final have multiple contributors that have factored into the team's success.

Still, each team has also had an unsung hero, who has made an impact while managing to fly under the radar at times.

Here's a list of players who have been able to make an impact on the field, plus other key players to watch ahead of Thursday and Friday's games.

Unsung heroes for the remaining playoff teams

Colby Hesseltine, Sinton

Hesseltine's ability to play both sides of the football has been a key factor in Sinton's success down the stretch of the season. Hesseltine has recorded more than 40 tackles on defense and has come up with key receptions in big games for the Pirates. Hesseltine has also provided a spark as a team captain during his high school career, and never hesitates to fire up his teammates at any given moment.

George Simmons, Miller

You can point at any Miller player and find several good things to talk about. But what Simmons has provided this season for the undefeated Bucs can't be ignored. The two-way versatile athlete has recorded 45 tackles this season and has been key in Miller coming up with important stops in the playoffs. Simmons has also showed off his offensive abilities by hauling in multiple touchdowns.

Chai Whitmire, Refugio

Some of the Bobcats game-changing moments on defense have usually started with Whitmire making a game-changing play. With five interceptions, unmatched speed and a high football IQ, it's no wonder Refugio's defense is allowing 11 points a game during its 12-game winning streak. Did we mention he can play both sides?

Key players to watch this weekend

Derek Garcia, RB, Sinton

Garcia has been a workhorse all season but more importantly, he's been able to put up big numbers in big games. With right around 2,000 rushing yards and more than 20 touchdowns this season, Garcia is a player that can change the atmosphere of a game and help the Pirates upend a team like Wimberley in the postseason.

Broderick Taylor, RB, Miller

The only question that comes to mind with Taylor is what hasn't he done this season? He's fast, he's smart, he can outrun the opposition and he can catch a 70-yard touchdown pass at any given moment. Taylor's ability to put up video game numbers is a key reason why the Bucs are 13-0 and playing for a chance to advance to the state semifinals.

Kelan Brown, QB, Refugio

Brown has been nicknamed the "Gunslinger" and for good reason. The Bobcats' signal caller has passed for nearly 2,000 yards with more than 26 touchdowns and one interception in Refugio's quest for another state championship. In his second full season, Brown has settled in as a game-changing athlete that has proven he can lead his troops in big moments.

They said it

Miller coach Justen Evans on what it will take to win this week: “You have to steal possessions. They are going to try to take the air out of the ball, snap the ball with a second or two on the play clock. You have to steal possessions with tempo. You try to speed the game up and make them play the game at your pace. That is tough. Not a lot of teams have been able to do it. Everybody has tried to take the air out of the ball against us. Fortunately we have had success and scored quickly. It doesn’t matter if they have the ball for seven minutes, if we score in two."

Sinton coach Michael Troutman on what it it will take to beat Wimberley: "If we focus on our game plan and ignore all the outside noise, we feel like it will come down to the kids executing. When you get to this point all teams are good. It is the team that makes the fewest mistakes and capitalizes on the other team's errors. It will take all three phases of the game."

Refugio coach Jason Herring on seeing Ganado again: "I don't think anybody likes playing somebody twice — especially somebody good. It is hard to beat somebody twice. You hope you don't have a letdown. We beat them once, but it was a war and we pulled away at the end. You are who you are, but that first game is well-studied. We are both going to pick up things from that game. It will come down to doing what you are supposed to do. When you are in the final eight, everybody is good."

More: Growing up: Derek Garcia's commitment, improvement spurs Sinton playoff run

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: What you need to know for the high school football state quarterfinals