Hallsville Hopes To Snag A Win In Longview + Get Into Playoffs Without Help

Hallsville Bobcats (6-3, 4-2)

Vs.

Longview Lobos (7-2, 6-0)

7:30 p.m.

Lobo Stadium, Longview

Coaches

• Hallsville: David Plunk
• Longview: John King

Last week

• Hallsville: defeated Pine Tree, 56-14
• Longview: defeated Sulphur Springs, 49-6

Next week

• Hallsville: TBD
• Longview: vs. Lufkin, time and date TBD

Just the facts

• Longview and Hallsville will meet for the third time as district opponents Friday.
• The Lobos hold a 2-0 advantage with wins in 2008 and 2009 prior to moving back to the old Class 5A from Class 4A.
• JaMycal Hasty, a Baylor commitment and highly regarded running back on a national level, is expected to be available for Longview. He has not played all season due to a back injury sustained before the season.
• With 977 yards in eight games player,Longview running back Tylan Miller should break the 1,000-yard rushing threshold Friday.
• Longview is already slated to play Lufkin in the Class 5A bi-district round, so there's not a lot for the Lobos to prove in the regular season finale.
• Texas High also owns one of the District 15-5A playoff spots.
• A Hallsville win would thwart a three-way tie for the remaining two playoff spots in District 15-5A. If the Bobcats win Friday, they're in the playoffs.
• A Bobcats loss could create a three-way tie in the district if Marshall beats Sulphur Springs in its head-to-head game Friday.
• If Sulphur Springs defeats Marshall and Hallsville looses to Longview, the Bobcats will still make the playoffs.
• If Hallsville loses to Longview and Marshall defeats Sulphur Springs by 13 points or more, the Bobcats will clinch a playoff spot.
• If the Bobcats lose to Longview and Marshall beats Sulphur Springs by less than 13 points, Sulphur Springs and Marshall will go to the playoffs and Hallsville will be the odd team out.

Playmakers

Longview

• OL Broderick Washington, Sr., 6-3, 290 (committed to Texas Tech)
• QB Dezmond Chumley, Sr., 6-1, 190 (56 of 99, 1,046 yards, 8 TDs, 5 INTs; 41 carries, 124 net rushing yards, 8 TDs)
• LB Jaylon Jackson, Sr., 6-0, 210 (78 tackles, 7 for loss)
• FB Marquies Hunter, Sr., 5-11, 240 (64 carries, 468 yards, 8 TDs; 10 catches, 123 yards)
• RB Tylan Miller, Jr., 5-9, 205 (134 carries, 977 yards, 10 TDs; 8 catches, 145 yards, TD)
• WR Antonio Carter, Sr., 6-2, 180 (29 catches, 365 yards, 5 TDs)
• FS Khalil Williams, Sr., 6-0, 170 (69 tackles, 2 INTs)
• CB Jakoryian Walker, Sr., 5-11, 170 (35 tackles, 4 INTs)
• RB JaMycal Hasty, Sr., 5-9, 185 (has not played; committed to Baylor)

Hallsville

• RB Khalil Sneed, Sr., 5-6, 175
• QB Wyatt Wolverton, Sr., 6-0, 180
• WR Jamil Young, Sr., 6-2, 180
• DL Dwayne Johnson, Sr., 6-2, 205
• WR/DB Dionte Johnson, Sr., 5-10, 180
• OL Trey Gillespie, Sr., 6-4, 270
• DB Jaylon Kerby, Sr., 5-10, 170
• LB Ben Dewoody, Sr., 6-2, 200
• WR Ky-Untae Hicks, Sr.

Key matchup: Hallsville's balanced offensive attack versus Longview's constantly improving defense. The Lobos have been tough on defense all season, but last week's 49-6 win against a Sulphur Springs team headlined by Larry Pryor was an eye-opener. The Bobcats obviously need to score more points than Longview to make the playoffs without banking on Sulphur Springs to win or for Marshall to hit the right point spread.

Fortunately, running back Kha'lil Sneed has put up solid numbers for Hallsville all season as its work horse. The Bobcats would be smart to work the clock against Longview's offense, especially if JaMycal Hasty is finally healthy enough to make his 2014 debut.

Quarterback Wyatt Wolverton threw four touchdown passes, all in the first half, against Pine Tree last week. The Lobos will have to watch out for him and his strong connection to receiver Jamil Young. Ky-Untate Hicks is another receiver Longview fans will need to know.

The Lobos will counter with a dynamic offense of their own. Quarterback Dezmond Chumley is an effective passer and his squad has a very good backfield whether Hasty gets into the game to get his feet wet or not.

Longview has put up a district-best 328 points up against common opponents with Hallsville.

Don't be surprised if: the Bobcats at least give the Lobos a scare. This is a very important game for Hallsville and is meaningless for Longview as the league's automatic District 15-5A No. 1 seed in the Class 5A Division I playoffs. It has Lufkin to look forward to, and the Panthers dominated them in the season-opener.

Don't expect Longview to roll over, but this is a trap game if Longview doesn't just shut down critical players early to preserve their health for the playoffs.

It's well within the realm of possibilities Hallsville will hang in with Longview late into the game.