Longview Will Try to Right the Ship in Battle on the Border Matchup With Monroe Neville

Longview Lobos (0-2)

Vs.

Monroe (La.) Neville Tigers (1-0)

8 p.m. Saturday

Independence Stadium, Shreveport

Coaches

• Longview: John King
• Neville: Mike McCarty

Last week

• Longview: lost to John Tyler, 41-25
• Neville: def. Rustin (La.), 47-7

Next week

Just the facts

• Longview will attempt to avoid its first 0-3 start since 1963.
• Longview started the season with losses against Lufkin and John Tyler. JT is now the Associated Press' No. 1 Class 5A school and Lufkin is No. 2 in the poll.
• The back-to-back losses to begin the season has given Longview its worst season start since 1963.
• Longview will likely be without the services of running back and Baylor commitment JaMycal Hasty. He missed the first two games of the season with an undisclosed injury.
• Neville is one of Louisiana's premiere programs with 10 state championships since its establishment in 1931.
• Neville is ranked No. 2 in the Louisiana Sports Writers Class 4A Poll.
• Neville head coach Mike McCarty has a 128-31 record with the program.
• Neville has four players with FBS scholarships and a fifth player with an offer from a FCS school.
• Since 2004, Longview is 7-2 against teams from Louisiana and 9-2 against all out-of-state opponents.
• Longview and Neville last met in 2004. Longview won, 14-7.
• Longview played in the Battle on the Border showcase last season and defeated Olive Branch from Mississippi, 27-26.

Playmakers

• OL Broderick Washington, Sr., 6-2, 290
• RB Tylan Miller, Jr., 5-7, 190 (22 carries, 162 yards, 1 TD)
• FB Marquies Hunter, Sr., 5-11, 240 (18 carries, 162 yards, 2 TDs
• QB Dezmond Chumley, Sr., 6-1, 190 (220 passing yards)
• DE Omar French, Sr., 6-0, 202
• WR Antonio Carter, Sr., 6-2, 181 (62 yards on 2 catches vs. John Tyler)
• LB Jaylon Jackson, Sr., 6-0, 210
• FS Shaun Lloyd, Sr., 5-9, 170
• WR Jon Sorey, Jr., 5-11, 170
• SS Keenan Madden, Jr., 6-1, 196

Key matchup: Longview offense versus Neville's defense. The Lobos have not yet had great showing on offense. Running back JaMycal Hasty could turn the tide, but he's doubtful for Saturday's game. Fortunately, Longview appears to be gelling a good running game. Tailback Tylan Miller and fullback Marquies Hunter are more than capable of shouldering the load in Hasty's absence.

Longview's Miller, Hunter, Dezmein Dennis and a cast of other capable runners will have to work for penetration against the strong defensive front. Fortunately, the offensive line is anchored by tackle Broderick Washington, a prospect with seven mid-major FBS offers.

A welcomed sight for Lobo fans would be early success in the passing game. Quarterback Dezmond Chumley has a great arm, but he has been sporadic as he gels with new receivers. Saturday would be a great time for 6-2, 181-pound receiver Antonio Carter to break out.

Neville can counter with defensive back Anterrius Butler, a 5-11 and 185-pound defensive back with an offer from McNeese State.

Longview has its work cut out. If all the dimensions of the offense click early, however, the Lobos should be able to give the Tigers a game.

Don't be surprised if: Chumley makes a statement. The quarterback has been somewhat slow to connect with the receivers, but Longview's signal caller has the ability to swing the game. If there's trouble in the trenches against Neville's defensive line, Chumley is more than a capable runner. Some of his best plays this season have been on the ground. If Chumley gets moving, he should be able to stretch Neville's defense and free up other players.