London travel to Refugio in a match where they both have something to prove

REFUGIO, Texas — The London Pirates and Refugio Bobcats will face off for the third year in a row in KRIS 6 News’ Game of the Week for Week Two.

Refugio dominated this competition by beating London in 2022 and 2023 39-6 and 55-10 respectively.

“I hope it’s a battle,” said Refugio head coach Drew Cox.

Cox, who has been with the program for 18 years, said they were not easy games.

“The last two years we’ve struggled to move the ball early in the games we’ve played. They’re good, they’ve got a good fast defensive line,” Cox said.

According to London head coach Robbie Moreno, his team did not help themselves either.

“The first time we played them, we returned a kickoff, opening kickoff for a touchdown, got called back for a holding, so. We expected more from our teams and they’ve given it to us the last two years. So this year, we’re hoping to take it step by step with them,” he said.

Both teams took on their opponents convincingly in week one, with London beating Bishop 45-13, while Refugio came to visit to defeat Cotulla 49-6.

Refugio has weapons back in Kelan Brown up the middle and Jordan King in the backfield with him. Cox was proud of his defense’s performance, but hopes his receiving core can make strides this week.

“We have a really good group of receivers. They’re hungry and talented, but they don’t quite have the experience of the guys before them. I’m just trying to get better and better at those positions every week,” Cox said.

Refugio does have talent, but they are still trying to put the puzzle pieces together.

“We’re working on our focus, making sure we’re paying attention, not making mistakes and picking things up when we need to,” said Hunter Carroll Refugio’s senior tight end and full back.

“It’s really all mental. We’re working on a lot of our pass reads on defense and stuff like that. We just have to get our defense together and I think we’re doing a good job of it,” said Raydon Lewis, Refugio’s junior wide receiver and safety.

Refugio’s defense knows what London’s offense has to offer with returning quarterback Alex Manning.

“I think I’ve improved a little bit of everything. As a runner, I’ve gotten faster, more accurate, and I have better timing with receivers,” said Manning, a junior.

“Day and night and I thought he was done… He had a really good end of the year, like the last four to five weeks. He had 300-yard games against quality opponents. The game we got knocked out against Blanco, he threw for 220 (yards). It’s like it gave him a kick-start in the offseason,” Moreno said.

The Pirate offense returns six starters, five of whom play the skill positions.

“We have an experienced team, so we started our script ahead of schedule. There’s not much teaching, it’s more of a review,” Moreno said.

Now London heads into Game 3 against the Bobcats with a different mindset.

“Our mentality before the game was always a little timid. But this year I feel like our guys have gotten over that. We’re seeing that,” London senior cornerback Peyton Lawhon said.

The game is scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Jack Sportsman Bobcat Stadium in Refugio. Watch highlights of the game and the trophy presentation to the winner on Friday Night Fever on KRIS 6 News at 10 a.m.

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