Rivalries don't come much more intense and closely-contested as Longview-Lufkin. The Lobos travel to Lufkin for the season opener on Aug. 26 for the teams' fifth meeting since the beginning of 2014.

It ranks No. 19 on ETSN.fm's list of the top 25 games of 2016.

Longview DB Traveion Webster. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
Longview DB Traveion Webster. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
loading...

In each of the last two seasons, Longview and Lufkin have met in both Week 1 of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs. Following a blowout win for Lufkin to begin 2014, Longview has won the next three encounters.

Longview, which reached the Class 5A Division I quarterfinals in 2015, was hit hard by graduation, making the Lobos especially vulnerable against the Panthers in a few weeks.

Lufkin, meanwhile, returns most of its impact performers. Quarterback Kordell Rodgers (Texas State commit) is back along with a standout receiving corps that includes Dhailon Phillips, Malik Jackson, and Javante Ellington.

Longview currently leads the all-time series, 38-36-4, and it wouldn't surprise anyone if these two rivals met twice again this season -- meaning Lufkin has a chance of evening up the series by November.

ETSN.fm's Top 25 Games of 2016

More From East Texas Sports Network