Longview Needs Win Over Wylie to Secure First Quarterfinals Berth Since 2010

CLASS 5A DIVISION I REGIONAL

Wylie Pirates (8-4)

vs.

Longview Lobos (10-2)

2 p.m. Saturday

AT&T Stadium, Arlington

Coaches

• Wylie: Bill Howard
• Longview: John King

Last week

• Wylie: def. Rockwall-Heath, 24-17
• Longview: def. Mansfield Summit, 21-20

Next week

• Winner will face winner between Mesquite Poteet and Mansfield Lake Ridge, state quarterfinals

Playmakers

Wylie

• QB Emilio Ames, Jr., 6-4, 205
• WR Jordan Whaley, Sr., 6-4, 225
• WR Tyrell Mauzy, Sr., 6-0, 170
• LB Lorenzo Keck, Sr., 5-10, 180
• LB Max Lopez, Sr., 5-10, 170
• LB Nathan Weisser, Sr., 6-0, 170
• CB Evan Bailey, Sr., 5-8, 165
• RB Elijah Smith, Jr., 5-9, 165

Longview

• RB Tylan Miller, Sr., 5-8, 195 (112 carries, 766 yards, 9 TDs; 8 catches, 76 yards)
• RB Braylynn Anthony, Sr., 5-8, 175 (65 carries, 921 yards, 12 TDs; 5 catches, 68 yards)
• TE Jordan Wyatt, Sr., 6-3, 215 (13 catches, 323 yards, 5 TDs)
• QB Michael Ross, Sr., 5-10, 175 (71 of 158, 1,151 yards, 10 TDs, 6 INTs; 44 carries, 194 yards, 3 TDs)
• DE Kybrian Sheridan, Sr., 6-0, 210 (58 tackles, 14 for loss, 7 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 recoveries, 1 PBU)
• DE Bryan Gilliland, Sr., 6-0, 210 (73 tackles, 12 for loss, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble)
• CB Ameron Dean, Sr., 5-11, 170 (37 tackles, 1 for loss, 5 INTs, 6 PBUs, 3 blocked kicks)
• S Traveion Webster, Jr., 6-0, 200 (71 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PBUs, 1 forced fumble)

Just the facts

• This will be the first-ever meeting between Longview and Wylie.
• Longview's last win in the third round of the playoffs occurred in 2010, a 24-0 win over Tomball.
• Wylie is averaging 32.2 points per game, while allowing 28.7.
• The Pirates' last four games -- all wins -- have been decided by 10 points or less.
• The cumulative record of Wylie's opponents this season is 67-62 (.519).
• Longview is averaging 37.8 points per game, while allowing 13.7.
• The Lobos' defense is allowing 12.3 points per game during Longview's current six-game winning streak.
• The cumulative record of Longview's opponents this season is 70-52 (.574).

Key matchup: Longview rushing attack vs. Wylie defensive front. The Lobos have completed a grand total of four passes in their two playoffs wins over Lufkin and Mansfield Summit, so it shouldn't be a surprise what Longview's offensive game plan will be for Saturday's third-round playoff clash with Wylie. Unlike most years in the past, Longview does not have a back with at least 1,000 rushing yards through 12 games, but what's set this Lobos offense part has been its versatility in the backfield. Senior Braylynn Anthony leads the team in rushing, and his skill set lends itself to explosive runs of 20 yards or more. Fellow senior Tylan Miller, second on the team in rushing, is counted on for gaining tough yards between the tackles, while senior fullback Austin Moore keeps defensive fronts honest with quick hitters up the middle. Then, there's D'Crayvan Polk, whose explosiveness has become a solid asset to the rushing attack. Between the four of them, Longview has amassed 3,001 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns.

Don't be surprised if: Wylie tries to get its running game established early. Longview's pass rush has made the difference in the Lobos' two playoff victories, and in particular, the two ends -- Kybrian Sheridan and Bryan Gilliland -- have wreaked havoc on opposing offensive linemen and quarterbacks. The Pirates have four ball carriers with at least 65 carries and 285 yards for the season, but their leading rusher -- quarterback Emilio Ames -- has just 667 rushing yards in 12 games. Wylie has had much better success through the air, as Ames enters this week with more than 2,700 passing yards on the season. The Pirates quarterback also has thrown 11 interceptions on the year, and if Longview's pass rush continues to perform at a high level, turnovers become even more likely for a Lobos defense that has 19 takeaways on the season.