TXHSFB state champions might be forced to play entire 2020 season on the road

Pat Carrigan

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The defending Class 2A-Division I state champion Refugio Bobcats have added another challenge to their plate as they look to defend their state title in 2020.

The Bobcats might face a season played entirely on the road as Jack Sportsman Bobcat Stadium may not be fit for football in 2020, Refugio head coach Jason Herring told Dave Campbell's Texas Football.

The 7,500 seat stadium (one of the largest in Class 2A), which was opened in 1954, features concrete bleachers on both the home and visitor stands, but the stadium has been closed since January 13 due to falling concrete. The district was in the process of figuring out how to make repairs and what those costs would be before the COVID-19 pandemic put all of that research to a complete halt.

The Bobcats have released their 2020 schedule showing all 10 games on the road. However, in comments made to the Corpus Christi Caller Times, Herring held out hope that stadium repairs could be made and Refugio could possibly have its district games played at home in 2020.

This isn’t the first time Refugio has faced stadium adversity. Back in 2017, after Hurricane Harvey, the Bobcats had to play all but two of their games on the road. Refugio ISD still hasn’t fully recovered from the damage that storm caused.

In 2017, Jacksonville, a 5A program in East Texas, had to play all of its games away from home as the historic Tomato Bowl underwent extensive renovations.

Allen, which was coming off a state championship, was forced to play its entire 2014 season away from home after repairs were made to the 18,000-seat Eagle Stadium just two years after it opened.

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