Longview Dominates Pine Tree in Scrimmage

LONGVIEW – The sun hadn’t been up long when Longview put the beat down on Pine Tree.

The Lobos got straight to the drubbing in a 9 a.m. scrimmage between the two teams Friday at Pirate Stadium.

Things started off with 12 snaps for each of the first teams, followed by 12 for the second teams, then 12 more for the first teams. After that, special teams got a few snaps before the real scrimmage – two 12-minute quarters – began.

The Lobos dominated both portions, winning the live half 35-0.

Longview’s trio of potential starting quarterbacks each saw time and flashed potential. Sophomore Haynes King connected with Kamden Perry for the first score of the non-live portion. Jordan Lawson followed that up with a 54-yard bomb to Bryce Oliver on the next drive. Later on, King found Perry again for a 47-yard score.

A’Darius Carter wasn’t going to be left out, either. He quarterbacked a drive in the live portion in which he went 5-for-5 for 61 yards and a touchdown. He also caught a touchdown on another drive.

Longview coach John King was pleased with the production of his quarterbacks. Although only one can get playing time at QB, he said all will play this year.

“All three quarterbacks did a lot of good things,” he said. “Threw the ball well, ran it well, led. It’s never as good as you think or as bad as you think. We’re gonna go back and evaluate the film. They also played well at their other positions. However it shakes out when we make the decision, the other ones are gonna be involved in our offensive scheme.”

The Lobos weren’t getting it done only through the air, though. The running backs each contributed in a number of ways. Jessie Anderson and Paul Hutchins both pounded scores in from the goal line. Keilyn Williams caught a screen pass and juked his way to a 44-yard touchdown.

Like with the quarterbacks, John King said he feels he has plenty of options at running back.

“We’re gonna play a bunch on Friday night,” he said. “I think we got a good stable of running backs. They all bring something different. I don’t think we’re very crisp. It looked like we played slow at times. Some of it is probably trying to make too big of a play. Too much juking for me. Gotta stick your foot in the ground and get north and south.”

On the Pirates’ side, there wasn’t much good to take away. In both portions of the scrimmage, Longview proved to be the better team. However, coach Kerry Lane said the experience gained was still valuable.

“I thought we were more physical than we were last year,” Lane said. “We’ve definitely gotten better at that. I thought our kids played hard. Obviously we didn’t play very clean and when you play against a team like Longview that shows up.”

Regardless of the outcome, there’s one thing both coaches can agree on. Today’s game was for a worthy cause. All proceeds from the scrimmage went to the Texas High School Coaches Association Benevolence Fund. The cost of attendance was $3 per adult and $2 per student. The money will be used to help coaches and players who are in need of assistance whether it be with injuries or other unexpected tragedies in life.

“Texas High School Coaches Association is the best one out there,” Lane said. “The benevolence fund has helped Pine Tree and it’s helped Longview in the past three years. Both of these schools have benefitted from it with some tragic events that have taken place. Anything we can do to give back to that, we’re gonna do it.”

The real season begins next Friday night for both teams.

Longview plays host to Lufkin, while Pine Tree travels to Jacksonville. Both kickoffs are scheduled for 7:30 p.m.