Longview + Texas High Clash Friday In Battle Of District 15-5A Unbeatens

DISTRICT 15-5A

Longview Lobos (4-2, 3-0)

vs.

Texas High Tigers (4-2, 3-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Tiger Stadium at Grim Park, Texarkana

Coaches

• Longview: John King
• Texas High: Barry Norton

Last week

• Longview: def. Marshall, 56-13
• Texas High: def. Pine Tree, 31-21

Next week

• Longview: vs. Mount Pleasant, Oct. 24
• Texas High: at Marshall, Oct. 24

Playmakers

Longview

• OL Broderick Washington, Sr., 6-3, 290 (committed to Texas Tech)
• QB Dezmond Chumley, Sr., 6-1, 190 (40 of 70, 799 yards, 5 TDs, 3 INTs; 30 carries, 59 yards, 5 TDs)
• DE Omar French, Sr., 6-0, 202
• LB Jaylon Jackson, Sr., 6-0, 210
• FB Marquies Hunter, Sr., 5-11, 240 (47 carries, 369 yards, 5 TDs; 6 catches, 54 yards)
• RB Tylan Miller, Jr., 5-9, 205 (78 carries, 504 yards, 6 TDs; 5 catches, 115 yards, TD)
• WR Antonio Carter, Sr., 6-2, 180 (19 catches, 308 yards, 4 TDs)
• FS Khalil Williams, Sr., 6-0, 170

Texas High

• RB Javon Thomas, Sr., 6-2, 210 (110 carries, 567 yards, 7 TDs; 13 catches, 160 yards, TD; committed to Tulsa)
• WR Jarion Anderson, Sr., 5-11, 170 (21 catches, 347 yards, 4 TDs; 8 carries, 71 yards)
• DT William Brown, Sr., 6-4, 275 (37 tackles, fumble recovery)
• LB K.J. Reid, Sr., 6-1, 200 (72 tackles, 2 INTs)
• QB Cade Pearson, Soph. (61 of 135, 801 yards, 6 TDs, 2 INTs; 33 carries, 23 yards, 3 TDs)
• DB Dee Jones, Jr. (38 tackles, 5 INTs, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 defensive touchdowns)
• DB Jaylen Rhone, Jr., 5-8, 150 (31 tackles)
• ATH Jacorien Walker, Jr., 5-8, 163 (21 tackles, INT)

Just the facts

• This is the 62nd meeting all-time between Longview and Texas High. Longview leads the series, 37-23-1.
• Longview and Texas High shared the same district from 1952-1989.
• Longview is averaging 39.3 points and 413.8 yards per game -- 253.5 rushing and 160.3 passing.
• Under coach John King, Longview is 56-3 in district games.
• The combined record of Longview's final three opponents -- Mount Pleasant, Sulphur Springs and Hallsville -- is 7-11.
• Texas High is averaging 27.5 points and 310.5 yards per game -- 177 rushing and 133.5 passing.
• Under coach Barry Norton, Texas High is 67-15 in district games.
• The combined record of Texas High's final three opponents -- Marshall, Greenville and Mount Pleasant -- is 6-12.

Key matchup: Longview rushing attack vs. Texas High defensive front. If Longview is to be challenged for the District 15-5A championship, the Lobos' running game must be contained. For years, Longview's identity on offense has been rooted in running the football, and that's been especially true this season. Even without starting running back and Baylor commit JaMycal Hasty, who's missed the entire season with a back injury, the Lobos have quietly gone about their business of pounding the rock. Between tailback Tylan Miller and fullback Marquies Hunter, Longview has found its 1-2 offensive punch on offense this season. Miller is halfway to a 1,000-yard season, while Hunter's size and brute force provides an excellent compliment to Miller's combination of size, speed and vision. Longview's offensive line has also been a key component this fall. Led by senior Texas Tech commit Broderick Washington, Longview's front line has paved the way for another successful offensive campaign. Despite the injury to Hasty and the graduation of several key performers from a season ago, Longview is still averaging close to 40 points per game and well over 400 yards per outing. While quarterback Dezmond Chumley has grown more comfortable with the receiving duo of Antonio Carter and Jon Sorey, it's with the running game that Longview's been especially dominant on offense to this point.

Texas High may have had its difficulties on offense through the season's first six games, but the Tigers' defense has been just the opposite. Ever since a 38-35 loss to Whitehouse in the season opener, Texas High's "D" has rounded back into form. Over the previous five games, Texas High is allowing just 20 points per game. The Tigers are especially stingy against the run with a front seven that features senior defensive tackle Will Brown and senior linebacker K.J. Reid. In last week's 31-21 win over Pine Tree, Texas High limited the Pirates to just 37 yards on 21 attempts. However, Longview will feature a much stronger ground game than the one Pine Tree trotted out to the field a week ago. It's unrealistic to expect Texas High to throw up similar numbers against the run vs. Longview, but if Texas High is able to contain the Lobos' backs to less than 200 yards, that may force the Lobos to the air. And Texas High's defense has feasted on opposing passing games this season. For the year, the Tigers have come down with 11 interceptions, including three in the fourth quarter or overtime of their triple-OT victory over Kilgore last month.

Don't be surprised if: Texas High takes chances deep with its passing game. While only a sophomore, Tigers quarterback Cade Pearson has showed signs of steady improvement since the beginning of the season. And he happens to have one of the area's best receivers at his disposal in senior Jarion Anderson, who like teammate and running back Javon Thomas, is committed to Tulsa. Since struggling to an 0-2 start to the season, Longview has won four straight and its defense has been a key catalyst to the mid-season turnaround. Expect Longview to employ several eight- or nine-man fronts on defense in an effort to disrupt Thomas and the Texas High rushing attack. That will leave the Tigers receivers with one-on-one situations on the edge and downfield against Longview defensive backs. Texas High, most likely, will not be able to rely exclusively on its running game to carry the day vs. Longview, so big plays in the passing game may be how Texas High is able to keep Friday's game competitive all the way until the end. But one thing is for certain: if Texas High wishes to pull the upset, it must get off to a quick start. Marshall entered last week's game at Longview feeling good about its chances, but a brutal first half prevented the Mavericks from a having a chance.