PREVIEW: Marshall + Longview Clash For 107th Time

Marshall Mavericks (0-1)

vs.

Longview Lobos (1-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Lobo Stadium, Longview

Coaches

• Marshall: Claude Mathis
• Longview: John King

Last week

• Marshall: lost to Tyler Lee, 29-27
• Longview: def. Lufkin, 35-16

Next week

• Marshall: vs. Alvin Shadow Creek
• Longview: vs. Dallas South Oak Cliff

Playmakers

Marshall

• OL Chasen Hines, Sr., 6-3, 330 (committed to LSU)
• OL Kameron King, Sr., 6-3, 270 (committed to North Texas)
• RB Rodarius Smith, Sr., 5-10, 170 (19 carries, 133 yards, 2 TDs; 3 catches, 9 yards)
• QB Odirrius Sellers, Sr., 5-8, 170 (12 of 34, 204 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 8 carries, 50 yards, 1 TD)
• OL Christian Hood, Jr., 6-4, 300
• DL Marje Smith, Sr., 6-6, 220 (committed to Baylor)
• WR De'Kendrick Bender, Jr., 6-0, 165 (3 catches, 43 yards)
• DB Corteze Hurd, Sr., 6-1, 175

Longview

• RB Jessie Anderson, Jr., 6-0, 225 (15 carries, 124 yards, 1 TD)
• DB Jephaniah Lister, Jr., 5-9, 155
• QB A'Darius Carter, Sr., 6-4, 205 (4-of-4, 55 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs; 4 carries, 23 yards, 2 TDs)
• OL Marcus Williams, Jr., 6-6, 250
• RB Keilyn Williams, Jr., 5-4, 137 (2 carries, 63 yards; 2 kickoff returns, 118 yards, 1 TD)
• DB Jalen Carr, Sr., 5-10, 150 (1 INT)
• DL Ke'Andre Mauldin, Sr., 6-0, 205
• DL JC Blakemore, Sr., 6-0, 210

Just the facts

• Marshall and Longview are meeting for the 107th time. Longview leads the all-time series, which dates back to 1909, 59-42-5.
• Longview has won 15 of the last 16 matchups against Marshall.
• Marshall put up 424 total yards of offense in last week's season-opening loss to Tyler Lee.
• The Mavericks currently have four Division I targets on their roster -- offensive linemen Chasen Hines, Kameron King, and Christian Hood, and defensive lineman Marje Smith.
• Marshall coach Claude Mathis is 0-2 in his career against Longview. His DeSoto teams lost to the Lobos in 2010 and 2011.
• Longview rolled up 370 yards of offense in its Week 1 victory over Lufkin.
• All three of the Lobos' non-district games this season are at home.
• Longview is seeking just its second 2-0 start to a season since 2011.

Key matchup: Marshall rushing attack vs. Longview defensive front. The Mavericks were unsure about the running back position before the season began after they lost three-year starter Cam Haller to graduation. But after Rodarius Smith's Week 1 performance, the Mavs are breathing a little easier. Smith put 133 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries in Marshall's loss to Tyler Lee, part of a Marshall ground attack that rushed for 220 yards.

Considering Marshall has an offensive line that has three Division I recruits on it, the Mavs should always be able to run the football most nights. The trio of seniors Chasen Hines (LSU commit) and Kameron King (North Texas) and junior Christian Hood give Marshall a luxury few football teams in the state posses. It's the O-line's job to make Marshall's collection of skill players, including Smith, look good.

Longview had its issues containing Lufkin on the ground last week, especially in the first half. Panthers running back Isaiah Phillips rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns, helping keep Lufkin competitive into the second half.

But once Longview forced Lufkin to go the air, the Lobos' defensive front went to work on Panthers quarterback Kewone Thomas. Longview finished the night with eight sacks, allowing the Lobos to comfortably pull away in the third and fourth quarters.

Longview will try to contain Marshall's running game, and force Mavs quarterback Odirrius Sellers into obvious passing situations. The Lobos believe that is the best way to ensure a victory.

Don't be surprised if: Longview continues to use three quarterbacks this week. In the opener, Lobos coach John King got all three into the game, and each had bright spots.

Senior Jordan Lawson started and played the first three series, and even though he failed to lead a scoring drive, King was pleased with his performance. Fellow senior A'Darius Carter played most of the game, engineering three scoring drives, two of which he finished himself with touchdown runs. He was 4-of-4 passing for the night. Finally, Longview inserted sophomore Haynes King to finish things off. His only throw of the game was a 48-yard scoring strike to Kamden Perry.

Longview probably won't play all three quarterbacks for the duration of the season, but it is likely they'll all continue to get reps until Coach King feels comfortable going with a full-time starter. One thing is certain: none of them have played their way out of the spot.