Lufkin Prepares for Emotional Night, Will Honor Late Coach John Outlaw With Field Name

LUFKIN -- The last time I was at Abe Martin Stadium, the Lufkin Panthers were finishing off a 45-14 win over the Woodlands College Park and wrapping up the District 14-5A championship. It also gave coach John Outlaw his 302nd win, which would be his last.

Outlaw passed away on the morning of Dec. 23. A lot has happened since that rainy day in December -- time moves on and changes take place. But tonight at Abe Martin Stadium, Lufkin will honor its fallen leader one more time.

The Lufkin Panthers will officially play on the Coach John Outlaw Memorial Field. In a ceremony that will happen moments before kickoff, the Outlaw family will be honored at midfield in front of thousands of Pack fans.

Panther football was big before 1995, but Outlaw took Panther football to another level. With 147 wins and a state championship in his 17 years, Outlaw is by far the winningest coach in Lufkin history.

The ceremony will start at 7 p.m. just before the Panthers kick off against rival Tyler Lee.

Here's my interview with Lufkin coach Todd Quick about tonight's game: