Previewing the Class 2A football championships; Hawley, Refugio, Albany, Mart
.jpeg "Hawley, Refugio, Albany and Mart will be going for Class 2A state titles this week.")
The UIL Class 2A football title games will help kick off championship week at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Here is a look at the teams and match-ups:
Games
Division 1
Hawley (15-0) vs. Refugio (14-1), 11 a.m. Thursday
Division 2
Albany (13-2) vs. Mart (15-0), 7 p.m. Wednesday
Teams
Hawley Bearcats
District 4-2A champ (6-0)
State championship appearances: 2 (2022, 2021)
Titles: 0
Winning streak: 15 games
Losses: 0
Playoff wins: 52-8 vs. Christoval, 72-26 vs. Panhandle, 57-26 vs. Sonora, 40-7 vs. Cisco, 34-20 vs. Crawford
Points for: 658 (43.9 per game)
Points allowed: 173 (11.5 per game)
Most points: 72 vs. Panhandle (Area round)
Fewest points: 26 vs. Albany (Week 4)
Largest margin of victory: 55 (55-0 vs. Anson, Week 5)
Smallest margin of victory: 3 (36-33 vs. Cisco, Week 11)
Refugio Bobcats
District 15-2A champ (6-0)
Final state ranking: 4
State championship appearances: 11 (2022, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2011, 1987, 1982, 1970, 1968)
Titles: 5 (2019, 2016, 2011, 1982, 1970)
Winning streak: 14 games
Losses: 49-12 vs. Hitchcock (Week 1)
Playoff wins: 66-14 vs. Ben Bolt, 56-9 vs. Holland, 53-7 vs. Ganado, 27-21 vs. Shiner, 24-21 vs. Timpson
Points for: 676 (45.1 per game)
Points allowed: 222 (14.8 per game)
Most points: 66 vs. Ben Bolt (Bi-District round)
Fewest points: 12 vs. Hitchcock (Week 1)
Largest margin of victory: 60 (60-0 vs. Skidmore-Tynan, Week 7)
Smallest margin of victory: 3 (24-21 vs. Timpson, semifinal)
Albany Lions
District 6-2A champ (5-0)
Final state ranking: 6
State championship appearances: 8 (2022, 2015, 2014, 2009, 1991, 1961, 1960, 1954)
Titles: 2 (1961, 1960)
Winning streak: 10 games
Losses: 26-14 vs. Hawley (Week 3), 31-28 vs. Comanche (Week 4)
Playoff wins: 49-13 vs. Eldorado, 56-10 vs. Muenster, 35-18 vs. Wink, 66-34 vs. Collinsville, 53-25 vs. New Home
Points for: 685 (45.7 per game)
Points allowed: 224 (14.9 per game)
Most points: 67 vs. Abilene TLCA (Week 11)
Fewest points: 14 vs. Hawley (Week 3)
Largest margin of victory: 67 (67-0 vs. Abilene TLCA, Week 11)
Smallest margin of victory: 4 (19-15 vs. Lubbock Trinity, Week 1)
Mart Panthers
District 10-2A champ (6-0)
Final state ranking: 1
State championship appearances: 14 (2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2012, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2000, 1999, 1986, 1969, 1957)
Titles: 8 (2019, 2018, 2017, 2010, 2006, 1999, 1969, 1957)
Winning streak: 15 games
Losses: 0
Playoff wins: 67-14 vs. Linden-Kildare, 77-7 vs. Cushing, 58-0 vs. Bowie, 56-6 vs. Lovelady, 41-14 vs. Burton
Points for: 855 (57 per game)
Points allowed: 96 (6.4 per game)
Most points: 78 vs. Hico (Week 6)
Fewest points: 21 vs. Centerville (Week 3)
Largest margin of victory: 78 (78-0 vs. Hico, Week 6)
Smallest margin of victory: 1 (21-20 vs. Centerville, Week 3)
Prediction
Hawley has gone to another level during the past two seasons with back-to-back appearances in the state final. The Bearcats lost to Shiner 47-12 last season.
But here they are again ready to take on powerhouse Refugio, which is looking for its sixth state title.
The numbers are nearly identical with Refugio scoring a few more points and Hawley giving up a few less points.
Hawley QB Rodey Hooper will be a tough nut to crack with 3,109 yards and 32 TDs while throwing at nearly a 70% clip. The Bearcats have four WRs with at least seven touchdowns so Hooper can share the wealth.
Mart is one of the most storied football programs in the state with its 14th trip to the state final. The Panthers have put together one of their best teams of all-time with a defense that’s allowed 6.4 points per game.
The Panthers have upped their season average in the playoffs to nearly 60 a game. QB Jonah Ross has thrown for nearly 2,500 yards and 36 touchdowns to only three interceptions.
Ross is among the top dual-threats in the state while adding 1,009 yards rushing and 21 TDs. Mart has rushed for almost 4,300 yards and 76 TDs led by RB JD Bell (1,887 yards, 34 TDs).
Albany is making its eighth trip to state and first since 2015. However, the Lions are still looking for their first state championship since 1961. The Lions will have be nearly perfect against a dominating Mart team. They also have over 4,000 yards rushing as a team with 60 total TDs. They’re led by Adam Hill (1,424 yards, 23 TD) and Coy Lefevre (1,074 yards, 19 TD).
Score
Refugio 31, Hawley 28
Mart 49, Albany 17
This story was originally published December 13, 2022 at 12:34 PM.
