Post (15-0) vs. Refugio (15-0): 2A Division I UIL Football State Championship Preview

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GAME PREVIEW

It’s battle of two teams with very different state championship pedigrees.

Favored Refugio is back at AT&T Stadium playing for a state title for the fourth time in five seasons, while Post is making its first appearance.

Post, a team picked to finish third or fourth in its district by many outlets, has put together a magical season. The Antelopes eased into the state championship game with a convincing 35-7 win over Valley View in the state semifinals. In key moments in the red zone last week, Post’s versatile offense came through. Taytem Thetford tossed a touchdown pass on a 4th-and-two to put Post in the lead for good at 14-7 in the second quarter. He hauled in a 15-yard touchdown pass from Slayden Pittman in the third quarter to all put the game away at 28-7. Pittman had a monster game for PHS running for three touchdowns and throwing another. Post’s defense made up for a less-than-stellar outing in the regional finals by shutting down Valley View’s offense.

Refugio got pushed in the semifinals last week, but the Bobcats emerged from a slugfest with a 29-21 win over San Augustine, their second win over the Wolves in three seasons. Leading by eight with 8:38 left, Refugio’s offense grinded out the remainder of the game behind the tough running of Ysidro Mascorro, who ran for 160 yards and a touchdown. QB Austin Ochoa, whose health was a bit of a question coming into the game after getting banged up in the regional final victory over Holland, ran for two touchdowns and showed no signs of being less than 100 percent.

The Bobcats have the experience in these big games. They have the size to match Post in the trenches and they have an edge with speed on the outside. Post keeps it close, but Refugio pulls away in the second half to earn another state title. 

Stepp’s Pick: Refugio by 13

- Matt Stepp

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PLAYERS TO WATCH

Post

Senior RB Taytem Thetford (HUDL)

Every team wishes they had someone like Thetford on their roster. The do-it-all back has 895 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns on the ground to go along with seven passing TDs. Oh, and he's also hauled in 28 receptions for 525 yards and a team-high 13 touchdowns.

Junior QB Slayden Pittman

Pittman simply does it all for the Antelopes. He's been incredibly efficent through the air this season, completing 70 percent of his passes for 953 yards and 22 touchdowns against only two interceptions. He's also rushed for 239 yards and five TDs.

Junior RB Ashton Jefferson

A homerun threat every time he touches the rock, Jefferson has 217 carries for 2,002 yards and 20 touchdowns on the year. He's averaging 9.2 yards per carry!

Refugio

Senior RB Ysidro Mascorro

The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Mascorro is a wrecking ball and really what makes this offense go. He had 24 carries for 160 yards and a touchdown a week ago. 

Senior QB Austin Ochoa

When healthy, he's as dangerous a player at the position in the region. He looked healthy in the state semifinals, which is a bad sign for Post. Ochoa did throw two interceptions against San Augustine, which he can't afford to do this week. His ability to escape pressure and do damage with his legs (six carries for 34 yards and two TDs last week) will be key.

Sophomore WR/DB Antwaan Gross

Mr. Do-it-all for the Bobcats, Gross had three carries for 38 yards and a touchdown, six catches for 75 yards and a critical interception on defense last week. He has a knack for finding the ball regardless of what side of the line of scrimmage he's on.

- William Wilkerson

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PREDICTIONS

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TEPPER'S PICK

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