Refugio's offensive line ready for challenge against Shiner
REFUGIO — Refugio’s offensive line spent much of the 2020 season learning on the job and growing up quickly.
Now as the 2021 season reaches its 14th, and arguably the squad’s most important, game of the season the Bobcats front is seasoned and ready for another chance to see if they can help the Bobcats stop Shiner’s repeat bid.
“It’s just going to be a lot of emotions, they’ve got some really big D linemen that we are going to work on and we are going to need to have our blocks perfect if we are going to really move the ball against them,” said senior tackle Hayden LaFrance.
LaFrance is one of four returners on a front that coach Jason Herring said is run blocking as good as it has all season and continuing to pass block at a high level as well. LaFrance is one of two seniors, along with guard Michael Rocha, two juniors in tackle J.R. Moore and center Jayden Wright, and sophomore guard Cadence Wills, and are led by veteran assistant coach Drew Cox.
And the numbers produced this season show the offensive line is doing what Refugio does best, rack up points and yards on offense.
The Bobcats (12-0) are averaging better than 67 points and 500 yards a game this season. Refugio rushed for 220 yards and averaged more than six yards a carry.
“If you don’t have a good offensive line coach you are not going to be very good on offense,” Herring said.
The quintet of players are not the quintessential large line as Herring said the crew averages around 180 pounds, but in the Bobcats’ wide open spread scheme they fit almost perfectly. But this week’s game against Shiner presents a challenge they have not faced this season or likely will face deeper in the playoffs if they win.
The Comanches front averages well over 200 pounds and is anchored by Division I recruit Doug Brooks. Brooks, who is listed at 5-11, 270 pounds, is also a running back in Shiner’s veer offense, but he has four Division I offers from Houston, UTSA, Colorado State and Army and they want him to play defensive tackle.
Brooks’ presence up front certainly has the Bobcats paying attention this week.
“He’s a defensive tackle that weighs 300 pounds and runs a 4.7 (40-yard dash),” Herring said. “I’ve never coached a kid like that ever and when he makes up his mind you are not going to block him.”
Shiner coach Daniel Boedeker said that Refugio's offensive line is the combination of "big and athletic" and said it can pose issues for a defensive front.
"Anytime you have that combination of both of those its going to cause you some problems," Boedeker said. "Our get-offs are going to be very important, trying to establish the line of scrimmage and being able to get off those blocks. I don't see them being finesse, they are physical football team. They put the ball in the air a bunch but they are still very physical."
LaFrance said the key this week is being as precise as possible when they are blocking.
“We need to stay focused and make sure we are executing our blocks in practice so it will carry over into the game,” said LaFrance, who is also on the Bobcats’ defensive line. “We just need to square up, drive our legs, drive for our running backs to have those gaps to get through.”
Moore said he knows the success of the Bobcats will begin with them on offense, but after a year of waiting for another chance at Shiner, they are ready for it.
“It’s going to be a really good game and we are going to have to keep our head on straight and be focused all the time,” Moore said. “It’s going to be a packed house and just stay focused and do what we do.”
CLASS 2A DIVISION I STATE QUARTERFINAL
REFUGIO VS. SHINER
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Memorial Stadium, Victoria
Records: Refugio 13-0; Shiner 13-0
Last week: Refugio 54, Ganado 7; Shiner 67, Schulenburg 21
What you need to know: This is the fourth straight year these two state juggernauts have met in the postseason, with the Comanches winning last season's meeting 24-13 in the Alamodome. Refugio won games against Shiner in 2018 and 2019, with the second coming in a regional semifinal and the Bobcats went on to win the state title. Both teams have rarely been challenged this season. Shiner's closest victory was a 28-14 win against Comal Davenport, a new school north of San Antonio, and Refugio's closest margin of victory was a 55-38 victory against Class 3A Division I playoff team Edna. The Bobcats are averaging more than 500 yards and 67 points on offense through 13 games this season.
High School Football: Refugio rolls by Ganado back into Class 2A Division I state quarterfinals
High School Football: 'We have a bond and it's fun': Refugio's defense anchored by Ty and Hayden LaFrance
Len Hayward is a USA Today Sports Network Region sports director and the Caller-Times sports editor. Support more coverage like this by checking out our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Refugio High School offensive line key to squad's success
