DISTRICT 11-6A

North Mesquite Stallions (3-3, 1-2)

vs.

Longview Lobos (5-1, 2-1)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Lobo Stadium, Longview

Coaches

  • North Mesquite: Mike Robinson
  • Longview: John King

Last week

  • North Mesquite: BYE
  • Longview: BYE

Next week

  • North Mesquite: vs. Mesquite Horn, Oct. 27
  • Longview: at John Tyler, Oct. 27

Playmakers

North Mesquite

  • WR Jamarzeyea Arvie, Sr., 5-6, 160
  • DL/LB Byron Turner, Sr., 6-0, 190
  • DB Keyvien Johnson, Sr., 5-8, 160
  • LB Anthony Bolton, Sr., 5-11, 200
  • DB Samuel Inyang, Soph.
  • RB Jawaun Clark, Jr., 5-8, 170
  • LB/DL Kevion Curry, Jr., 6-0, 190
  • OL Mark Sanchez, Jr.

Longview

  • RB Keilyn Williams, Jr., 5-4, 140 (62 carries, 427 yards, 6 TDs; 5 catches, 99 yards, 1 TD)
  • TE Jaylin Brown, Sr., 6-3, 205 (11 catches, 252 yards, 3 TDs)
  • QB Haynes King, Soph., 6-3, 170 (35-of-76, 651 yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs; 7 carries, 24 yards, 0 TDs)
  • WR Kamden Perry, Jr., 6-0, 165 (11 catches, 175 yards, 1 TD)
  • QB A'Darius Carter, Sr., 6-4, 205 (6-of-11, 78 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs; 18 carries, 117 yards, 8 TDs)
  • DB Jephaniah Lister, Jr., 5-9, 155 (53 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 sack, 1 INT)
  • DL JC Blakemore, Sr., 6-0, 210 (30 tackles, 8 for loss, 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery)
  • WR Jacob Johnson, Jr., 6-0, 175 (14 catches, 208 yards, 1 TD)
  • DB Jalen Carr, Sr., 5-10, 170 (17 tackles, 1 for loss, 4 INT)

Just the facts

  • Keilyn Williams has averaged 82.75 yards per game in the four games since Jessie Anderson went down with injury.
  • Williams has also totaled 235 yards on kickoff returns this season, including one touchdown return.
  • The Lobos run a balanced attack on offense, averaging 186.7 yards passing and 209.2 yards rushing per game.
  • Longview gave up an average of 10 points per game in non-district play, but has surrendered 33 points per game since district began.
  • North Mesquite is scoring 32.2 points per game.
  • The Stallions are in the midst of a two-game losing streak.
  • Longview holds an 8-1 lead in the series since 2004, with the most recent Stallion win coming in 2010.
  • .The Lobos won 2016's contest, 49-35.
(© Oladipo B. Awowale, ETSN.fm)
Lobo quarterback Haynes King is improving in his first season as the starter. (© Oladipo B. Awowale, ETSN.fm)
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Key matchup: Haynes King against North Mesquite's secondary. It's clear King has talent. After starting the season in a three-way quarterback battle, the sophomore emerged to beat out seniors Jordan Lawson and A'Darius Carter. His future is bright with the Lobos.

That said, it's still his first season at the helm of the offense. He is making strides, having thrown two touchdowns to no interceptions in the past two games. As he settles into what looks to be his job for the next three seasons, how he handles himself will be huge for the Lobos' success.

The North Mesquite secondary will try to fluster the young quarterback. Keyvien Johnson and Samuel Inyang hope to end King's no-interception streak at two games. If they can, North Mesquite has a shot to end its losing streak.

(© Geoff McKay, ETSN.fm)
Look for Longview's defense to smother North Mesquite on Friday. (© Geoff McKay, ETSN.fm)
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Don't be surprised if: Longview's defense smothers North Mesquite. John Tyler did the same to the Stallions in Week 5 in a 44-7 rout. The Lobos have had a week of rest and their defense will come out at full strength.

JC Blakemore has been a terror this season, with eight tackles for loss and four sacks. Jalen Carr is coming off of a game in which he tallied three interceptions. After giving up 52 points to Mesquite Horn in Week 4, the Lobos held Tyler Lee and Rockwall mostly in check.

Look for the Lobo defense to return to its early-season form in this one.

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