Longview Lobos (1-0)

vs.

John Tyler Lions (0-1)

7 p.m. Saturday

Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium, Tyler

Coaches
  • Longview: John King
  • John Tyler: Ricklan Holmes

 

Last week

 

Next week
  • Longview: vs. Shreveport C.E. Byrd, Sept. 12
  • John Tyler: vs. Tyler Lee, Sept. 11

 

Playmakers

Longview

  • DB Traveion Webster, Jr., 6-0, 195
  • RB Tylan Miller, Sr., 5-8, 195
  • OL Tim Clay, Sr., 6-6, 385
  • DL Kybrian Sheridan, Sr., 5-11, 210
  • QB Michael Ross, Sr., 5-10, 175
  • DB Keenan Madden, Sr., 6-1, 200
  • OL Kendall Starling, Jr., 6-2, 325
  • DB Ameron Dean, Sr., 5-10, 170
  • WR Jon Sorey, Sr., 5-11, 170
  • RB Austin Moore, Sr., 5-9, 235

John Tyler

  • DL Braylon Jones, Sr., 6-3, 285 (committed to Houston)
  • WR Damion Miller, Jr., 6-2, 205 (committed to Texas)
  • DB Bryston Gipson, Sr., 6-1, 185
  • DL Pierre Leonard, Sr., 5-10, 245
  • QB Bryson Smith, Jr., 6-0, 170
  • OL Adrian Harris, Sr., 6-4, 300
  • LB Shaundrick Williams, Jr., 6-1, 220
  • WR Duntayviun Gross, Sr., 5-9, 160
  • RB Tre Allison, Soph., 6-2, 190
  • OL Dau’Quawn Montgomery, Jr., 6-2, 265

 

Just the facts
  • This is the 56th meeting between the two teams. Longview holds a 33-18-3 lead in the series and has won 10 of the last 12 head-to-head games.
  • John Tyler is hoping for a two-game streak within the series, however. It won 41-25 in Longview last season.
  • Last week, the Lobos won their first Week 1 game since 2011.
  • The Lions are 3-0 in home openers under head coach Ricklan Holmes.
  • In 2011 -- the last time Longview played John Tyler at Rose Stadium -- the Lobos took home a 38-22 win.
  • The current Longview team is no stranger to Rose Stadium though. It has visited the facility four times since the 2011 John Tyler game and has a 3-1 record between two 2014 playoff games and two meetings against Tyler Lee.
  • John Tyler committed two turnovers for Plano touchdowns last week and has a -2 turnover margin through one game.
  • Longview has a -1 turnover margin after throwing two interceptions in its win against Lufkin. However, the Lobos fumbled four times and recovered each loose ball on lucky bounces.

 

Longview running back Tylan Miller is off to a great senior season start. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
Longview running back Tylan Miller is off to a great senior season start. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
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Key matchup: Longview's running game against John Tyler's defensive front.

In 69 plays last week, the Lobos intentionally called running plays two-thirds of the time. Four additional plays were bad center-quarterback exchanges. Don't expect head coach John King to break away from a run-heavy game plan against John Tyler. It's just what Longview does with a pro styled offense.

Running back Tylan Miller started his season off with a bang. He rushed for 165 yards and two scores against a solid Lufkin defense. The back, a second-year starter, is almost exactly on pace for the 1,444 yards he gained last season in the 11 games he played in. Longview's offensive line is also a team strength.

John Tyler defensive end and Houston commitment Braylon Jones will need to hold down the edge against a powerful Lobos running game. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
John Tyler defensive end and Houston commitment Braylon Jones will need to hold down the edge against a powerful Lobos running game. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
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John Tyler presents some unique challenges against Longview's primary strength though. Defensive end Braylon Jones and tackle Pierre Leonard are two of the best East Texas defensive linemen and help make up what should evolve into the best overall line among area Class 5A teams. Shaundrick Williams, a junior linebacker, offers support at the next level. Furthermore, the team has a strong final option against Miller with experienced safety Bryston Gipson anchoring an overhauled secondary.

Don't blame the Lions' defense for the school's disappointing first game. Without offensive turnovers, it's feasible the unit would have held Plano to 21 points.

Longview is sure to bring pressure against John Tyler junior quarterback Bryson Smith. Right now, Smith is the offensive key after leading the team in rushing with 146 yards in addition to his 121 passing yards. If the first-year signal caller and long-term solution takes care of the ball, the Lions' defense is ready to help right away.

Don't be surprised if: Byrson Smith takes a big step forward. Receivers Duntayviun Gross and Damion Miller are big early bright spots for the John Tyler offense, and if Smith can find them with more success this week he will force the Lobos' defense to invest more resources further away from the line of scrimmage. If John Tyler establishes more of a passing presence, Longview is in for a fight.

Longview running back Tylan Miller and giant offensive lineman Tim Clay. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
Longview running back Tylan Miller and giant offensive lineman Tim Clay. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
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