Longview Lobos (0-0)

Vs.

Lufkin Panthers (0-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Abe Martin Stadium, Lufkin

 

Coches
  • Longview: John King
  • Lufkin: Todd Quick
 Next week
  • Longview: vs. John Tyler, Sept. 5
  • Lufkin: vs. Tyler Lee, Sept. 5
Playmakers

Longview

  • RB JaMycal Hasty, Sr., 5-8, 185 (189 carries, 1,413 yards, 13 TDs; 12 catches, 255 yards, 3 TDs; committed to Baylor)
  • OL Broderick Washington, Sr., 6-3, 290
  • QB Dezmond Chumley, Sr., 6-1, 190 (125 of 218, 2,241 yards, 33 TDs, 5 INTs; 60 carries, 192 yards, 3 TDs)
  • FB Marquies Hunter, Sr., 5-11, 240 (24 carries, 213 yards, 4 TDs)
  • RB Tylan Miller, Jr., 5-9, 205 (23 carries, 140 yards, 1 TD)
  • DL Omar French, Sr., 6-0, 202 (47 tackles, 17 for loss, 8 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 punt block)
  • WR Antonio Carter, Sr., 6-2, 180
  • LB Jaylon Jackson, Sr., 6-0, 210 (75 tackles, 13 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 recovery, 1 defensive TD)
  • DB Keenan Madden, Jr., 6-1, 195
  • DB Khalil Williams, Sr., Sr., 6-1, 170

Lufkin

  • WR KeKe Coutee, Sr., 5-10, 165 (1,034 yards, 9 TDs, 77 catches; 5 major FBS offers)
  • RB Steven Sowell, Sr. (1,242 rushing yards, 10 TDs, 21 catches, 295 receiving yards, 3 receiving TDs)
  • WR Terry Mark, Sr., 6-1, 190 (758 yards, 6 TDs; committed to Houston)
  • QB Trey Cumbie, Sr., 6-2, 200 (2,738 passing yards, 27 passing TDs, 441 rushing yards, 6 rushing TDs)
  • OT Erik McCoy, Sr., 6-4, 285
  • S Dre Hooper, Sr., 5-11, 180
  • DE Bronson Massie, Jr., 6-0, 205
  • DB Myster Colloway, Jr.
  • DT Tyrique Spencer, Sr.
Just the facts
  • Lufkin has a 12-7-1 head-to-head advantage against Longview through the past 20 years, including two wins in the playoffs. The Lobos, however, head to Abe Martin Stadium on a three-game winning streak within the series.
  • Both Longview and Lufkin have moved down from the old Class 5A to form parts of the new Class 5A, a format with a strong majority of teams formerly known as Class 4A schools. Most of Longview and Lufkin's district opponents from 2012 through 2013 moved up to Class 6A.
  • Longview is the largest school in District 15-5A and will automatically go to the Class 5A Division I bracket if it makes the playoffs. Lufkin is the largest school in District 16-5A and will go to the Division I bracket as well should it win a postseason berth.
  • This game could be a preview of a bi-district playoff game if John Tyler makes the playoffs and finishes ahead of Lufkin in 16-5A while Longview simultaneously wins the 15-5A league. Those scenarios are within the realm of possibilities.
  • Lufkin is 12-1 in season openers dating back to 2000, including a 2007 win against Longview.
  • The Lobos are 6-7 in season openers dating back to 2000.

 

Longview running back Tylan Miller carried the ball for 127 yards in last week's preseason scrimmage against Ennis. (Christopher R. Vinn, ETSN.fm)
Longview running back Tylan Miller carried the ball for 127 yards in last week's preseason scrimmage against Ennis. (Christopher R. Vinn, ETSN.fm)
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Key matchup: Longview's running game against Lufkin's defensive front. The Lobo's star running back JaMycal Hasty is day-to-day with an unspecified injury, but that's no reason for the Panthers to relax. Running back Tylan Miller and fullback Marquies Hunter are a dangerous mix on their own.

Miller rushed for 127 yards on 15 carries last week against Ennis' strong defense in a preseason scrimmage. Hunter, at 5-11 and 240 pounds, broke free for a 69-yard run in the same event. If Hasty is ready to go, he ran for 1,413 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. There's not one way to take the run away from the Lobos.

Offensive tackle Broderick Washington and a big high school offensive line add to the run threat.

Lufkin isn't short on defensive playmakers though. Defensive tackle Tyrick Specer and defensive end Bronson Massie are big bodies and will serves as the teeth of the defense. The two linemen will occupy blockers and free linebackers to work their way down toward Longview's running backs.

From there, it's a matter of the Lobos backs making moves and Lufkin's ability to react in time to make a solid tackle. Defensive back DeAndre "Dre" Hooper is a fantastic asset anchoring the pack end of the Panthers defense.

Lufkin, likewise, has a strong running back by the name of Steven Sowell. He recorded 1,242 yards last season to compliment a high-octane Panthers offense.

Lufkin quarterback Trey Cumbie threw for 2,738 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior. (Christopher R. Vinn, ETSN.fm)
Lufkin quarterback Trey Cumbie threw for 2,738 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior. (Christopher R. Vinn, ETSN.fm)
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Don't be surprised if: The passing games get involved. Lufkin has a fantastic core of passing game players in quarterback Trey Cumbie and receivers KeKe Coutee and Terry Mark.

Coutee has five offers from "BCS" conference programs and the numbers to back it up. He caught for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Mark, who holds an offer from Houston, will be one of the best looking athletes on the field with a 6-2, 180-pound frame and speed.

Cumbie threw for 2,378 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior.

Longview's passing game has some question marks, especially after a poor performance in the Ennis scrimmage. That being said, quarter Dezmond Chumley has a history of being lethal on the ground and through the air. Receivers Antonio Carter and varsity newcomer Jon Sorey could be poised for breakout games if Lufkin gets a handle on the Lobos' running game.

The Lufkin-Longview meeting has all the talent needed to be a classic game.

Longview fullback Marquies Hunter can make a big play or two. He broke a 69-yard run against Ennis last week. (Christopher R. Vinn, ETSN.fm)
Longview fullback Marquies Hunter can make a big play or two. He broke a 69-yard run against Ennis last week. (Christopher R. Vinn, ETSN.fm)
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