PREVIEW: San Augustine Runs Into Defending Champ Refugio

CLASS 2A DIVISION I
STATE SEMIFINAL

San Augustine Wolves (14-0)

vs.

Refugio Bobcats (12-1)

7 p.m. Thursday

Cy Fair FCU Stadium, Cypress

Coaches

• San Augustine: Marty Murr
• Refugio: Jason Herring

Last week

• San Augustine: def. Centerville, 50-14
• Refugio: def. Mason, 38-14

Next week

• Winner faces either Stratford or Mart, 2A Division I state championship game, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, AT&T Stadium, Arlington

Playmakers

San Augustine

• WR/DB QuenTyvian Borders, Sr., 6-2, 180 (37 catches, 661 yards, 13 TDs; 78 tackles, 2 for loss, 3 INT, 11 PBUs; committed to Stephen F. Austin)
• QB/DB Gavin Murr, Sr., 5-11, 180 (152-of-237, 2,347 yards, 26 TDs, 3 INTs; 57 carries, 429 yards, 6 TDs; 7 tackles, 1 for loss)
• RB/DB K.J. Davis, Sr., 5-8, 175 (236 carries, 2,303 yards, 33 TDs; 18 catches, 296 yards, 3 TDs; 1 forced fumble)
• WR/LB Quay Johnson, Sr., 5-6, 170 (19 catches, 336 yards, 1 TD; 9 carries, 99 yards, 2 TDs; 116 tackles, 8 for loss, 1 sack, 8 QB hurries, 6 PBUs, 3 forced fumbles, 2 recoveries)
• WR/DB Ced Thomas, Sr., 6-1, 168 (34 catches, 414 yards, 2 TDs; 107 tackles, 8 for loss, 2 QB hurries, 5 INTs, 12 PBUs, 5 fumble recoveries, 3 forced fumbles)
• WR/DB Kris Wade, Sr., 6-1, 173 (38 catches, 475 yards, 7 TDs; 22 tackles, 3 for loss, 3 INTs, 5 PBUs)
• OL Quen Holman, Jr., 5-5, 250

Refugio

• RB/LB Jacobe Avery, Sr., 5-6, 197
• WR/DB Jake Tinsman, Jr., 6-1, 185
• QB/LB Jared Kelly, So., 6-1, 195
• WR/DB Jamel LaFond, Sr., 5-9, 160
• OL Matt Castillo, Sr., 6-3, 280

Just the facts

• San Augustine running back K.J. Davis is averaging 208.8 yards per game and averaging 13.1 yards per carry during the playoffs.
• San Augustine has forced 38 turnovers -- 21 fumbles and 17 interceptions.
• The Wolves are averaging 411 yards per game -- 164.5 passing and 246.5 rushing.
• San Augustine is searching for its first undefeated season since 1970.
• Refugio is the defending state champion.
• The Bobcats have endured much adversity this season, beginning with destruction from Hurricane Harvey and up to defensive back Casey Henderson suffering two broken vertebrae early in the season.
• Refugio is scoring an averaging of 45.9 points and giving up just 13 for an average margin of victory of 32.9.

Key matchup: San Augustine rushing attack against the Refugio defensive front. K.J. Davis has kicked it up a notch in the playoffs. Two weeks ago against Carlisle, he set the school record for most yards in a game with 323. A record which he previously set.

Defenses have had little answer for Davis, and that has made things much easier on the rest of the offense. It has given quarterback Gavin Murr more open receivers to throw to. The offensive line has surely played a part in this, and both Davis and coach Marty Murr have praised them.

This has led to the Wolves winning their playoff games by an average of 37 points.

It is imperative for Refugio to slow Davis to some degree. Earlier this season, Davis was held to 69 yards and the Wolves won by 12. Against Kirbyville, he had 58 yards and San Augustine scored just 22 points.

If the Bobcats can hold Davis to under 100 yards, it would force Gavin Murr to be the primary source of offense. Ultimately, it would lead to a lower point total for the Wolves and give Refugio a better chance of winning. Even then, it would still be tricky. San Augustine has managed to find ways to win even in games where Davis didn't have high yardage totals.

Don't be surprised if: Emotions are high in this game. This Refugio team will not go down easily. It has been through so much this season. First, the town was devastated by Hurricane Harvey before the season began.

After rallying to come back from that, Refugio lost defensive back suffered a severe neck injury and spent eight weeks recovering. Henderson's brother, Sylvester, was on the field to watch.

The Hendersons also lost their home to damage from the hurricane. The town has rallied around the team and family. Sports are often an outlet for people to not only take their aggressions out, but come together for a larger purpose. That is what has taken place in Refugio.

Not to mention, the Bobcats are the defending state champions. They will not be an easy out and are certainly the biggest test San Augustine has seen all season.