Battle Between 5A Rivals Lufkin + Longview the ETSN.fm/Dairy Queen Game of the Week

Few East Texas rivalries go back as far or are as close as the one between Lufkin and Longview.

When the two get together Friday night at Lobo Stadium in the ETSN.fm/Dairy Queen Game of the Week, it will be the 74th all-time meeting. Lufkin holds a slim 35-34-4 advantage in a series dating back to 1932.

This year's matchup features the two teams going in opposite directions. Longview has won consecutive games -- over longtime rival Marshall and Mississippi power Olive Branch -- following a hard-fought, season-opening loss to sixth-ranked Coppell.

Lufkin, meanwhile, has dropped two straight after a convincing win over John Tyler to begin the season. The Panthers were beaten by Tyler Lee two weeks ago before suffering a stunning loss to arch-rival Nacogdoches -- Lufkin's first loss to the Dragons since 1992.

The Panthers have two objectives: erase the sting of last season's 45-14 home loss to Longview, and avoid their first 1-3 start to a season since 1992.

Longview's focus is on opening up its home schedule with a win while continuing the positive momentum created over the last two weeks.

We’ll be live from the game with KLTV to bring you the preview at 6 p.m.