Unbelievable Comeback: Joaquin’s Stunning Double On-Side Kick Shocks Refugio in State Semifinals!

CYPRESS — Man, what a wild ride that semifinal clash turned out to be! Refugio had the upper hand for most of the evening, showing grit and determination on both sides of the ball. With Ray Lewis orchestrating the offense like a seasoned maestro, hooking up with Laytyn Garza and punching it in himself, the Bobcats were cruising with a 14-7 halftime advantage. Zander Wills wasn’t shy either, adding two powerhouse touchdowns that threatened to put this one away for good. But then—bam!—Joaquin flipped the script with two successful onside kicks in the second half, capitalizing both times and wresting control late in the contest. Special teams took center stage, limiting Refugio’s chances and ultimately sealing the Bobcats’ fate in a tight 37-28 finish. It stings, no doubt, especially with such a stellar 13-1 season under their belts and just one win shy of another shot at the state crown under Coach Drew Cox. Heartbreaking, but oh, what a thrilling football night in Texas. LEARN MORE

CYPRESS — Refugio controlled most of the night, but a pair of second-half onside kicks proved costly as the Bobcats fell 37-28 to Joaquin in a Class 2A Division I state semifinal game, Thursday, Dec. 11, at Cy-Fair FCU Stadium.

Refugio set the tone early behind quarterback Ray Lewis, who fired a touchdown pass to Laytyn Garza and later scored a rushing touchdown to give the Bobcats a 14-7 halftime lead.

Refugio increased its lead in the third quarter with two Zander Wills touchdowns on runs of 3 and 54 yards.

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But the game flipped when Joaquin recovered the two onside kicks and scored on both to take the lead for good.

The Rams’ special teams also controlled the ball by limiting Refugio to only three possessions in the second half.

Wills led the Bobcats with 12 carries for 120 yards and two touchdown. Lewis ran for 98 yards in the loss.

The loss ends Refugio’s playoff run one win shy of returning to the state championship game for the first time since 2022 under second-year coach Drew Cox.

It was the first loss of the season for the Bobcats, who finish the season 13-1.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Refugio football falls to Joaquin in state semifinals