Lindale + Lufkin Hope To Gain Separation From 16-5A Pack In Friday’s Head-To-Head Meeting

DISTRICT 16-5A

Lindale Eagles (4-2, 2-1)

vs.

Lufkin Panthers (3-3, 2-1)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Abe Martin Stadium, Lufkin

Coaches

• Lindale: Mike Meador
• Lufkin: Todd Quick

Last week

• Lindale: def. Jacksonville, 35-28
• Lufkin: lost to John Tyler, 41-38

Next week

• Lindale: vs. Nacogdoches, Oct. 23
• Lufkin: at Ennis, Oct. 23

Playmakers

Lindale

• LB Kale Ridge, Jr., 6-3, 210
• RB Ryan Taylor, Sr., 5-8, 175
• OL Justin Fisher, Sr., 6-0, 285
• DL Bryce Barkowsky, Sr.
• QB Montana Meador, Jr., 5-11, 155
• WR Kendrick Price, Sr., 6-3, 185
• TE Cameron Sir Louis, Jr., 6-3, 205
• WR/DB Tayton Williams, Sr., 5-7, 160
• DB Carson Mizell, Sr., 6-1, 185

Lufkin

• DL/OLB Bronson “Boom” Massie, Sr., 6-3, 210
• OL Jerrod Johnson, Sr., 6-3, 285
• QB Kordell Rodgers, Jr., 6-0, 175
• WR Dhailon Phillips, Jr., 6-3, 195
• RB Ellis Jackson, Sr., 5-8, 170
• WR/DB Jeremiah Davis, Soph., 6-0, 175
• WR Malik Jackson, Soph., 5-11, 175
• DB LaVante White, Sr., 6-1, 170

Just the facts

• Friday's game will help decide the league's top four teams at the midway point of the district slate.
• Lindale, Lufkin and Corsicana are currently tied for third place in District 16-5A while John Tyler and Ennis are tied for first and face off elsewhere Friday.
• Corsicana will face Whitehouse, which is winless in district competition but has only played Lufkin, John Tyler and Ennis.
• If Corsicana loses Friday, the winner of the Lindale-Lufkin game will jump into a tie for second place. The loser of the John Tyler-Ennis game also will fall into second place if Corsicana loses.
• If Corsiana wins, the winner of the Lindale-Lufkin game will remain tied with Corsicana in third place.
• Last season, each team that won at least four District 16-5A games made the playoffs. A win Friday will give either Lindale or Lufkin a third win with three games remaining on each team's schedule.
• The Eagles and Panthers share one common opponent, John Tyler, and both teams lost that particular matchup.
• Lindale fell to John Tyler, 30-20, at home two weeks ago.
• Lufkin lost to John Tyler last week at home, 41-38.
• The Eagles' district opponents faced thus far have combined for a 5-4 league record. The Panthers' district opponents have gone 3-6.
• Lindale's defense has held district opponents to 21.7 points per game. Lufkin's offense is averaging 41 points per game in District 16-5A competition.
• The Panthers' defense has given up a league-best 44 points, but 41 of those points came against John Tyler -- the only district team it has faced with any league wins.
• Lufkin defeated the Eagles last season, 63-28, in Lindale.

Key matchup: Lindale's offense versus Lufkin's defense.

The Eagles' single biggest strength is its defense, but that group will need offensive support to help it counter the district's most explosive offense head-to-head.

Meanwhile, the Panthers allowed three combined points on defense against struggling Nacogdoches and Whitehouse teams before giving up 41 points to John Tyler last week. Don't expect Lindale to hang that kind of number against the unit, but that does not mean the Eagles can't win the game.

Eagles head coach Mike Meador's bread and butter offensively has been a misdirection running game to force opposing defenses away from clamping down on work horse running back Ryan Taylor. Receiver Tayton Williams has been particularly effective on sweeps and fellow receiver Kendrick Price Jr. is a big play threat on the end-around with more limited touches.

In between sweeps, Taylor pounds the ball between the tackles.

Together, those three players help burn clock and limit the opposition's offensive possessions.

Lindale will have to be particularly efficient in this game though. Lufkin quarterback Kordell Rogers will lead what might be the most explosive offense in the district.

Defensively, the Panthers will counter with a strong defensive front. John Tyler gashed it at times with the mobility of its own dual-threat quarterback, but the Eagles just don't have that kind of weapon in their arsenal.

Defensive end Bronson Massie headlines Lufkin's defense. He holds five FBS scholarship opportunities, including invitations to join California and Washington's programs.

The Panthers' secondary is a strong point as well and will mostly be used in run support. But the group up top will have to be on alert for the occasional Lindale pass in an effort to keep it off balance.

Don't be surprised if: Friday's game is low scoring. The absolute strength of Lindale's team is its own defensive unit. It can perform at a high level through the game, particularly if the Eagles' offense can put together some long drives the other way. It will take a complete game, but Lindale is capable to stealing this district match on the road if it's at its best.