DISTRICT 11-6A

Mesquite Skeeters (3-6, 1-5)

vs.

Longview Lobos (7-2, 5-1)

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

 

Coaches

  • Mesquite: Robbie Robinson
  • Longview: John King

 

Last week

 

Next week

  • Mesquite: season is complete
  • Longview: vs. TBD, 6A Division II bi-district playoff

 

Playmakers

Mesquite

  • RB Lazarus Fisher, Sr., 5-11, 180 (167 carries, 1,284 yards, 13 TDs; 40 catches, 579 yards, 4 TDs)
  • LB Simon Maxey, Sr., 5-11, 190 (59 tackles, 10 for loss, 4 sacks, 5 QB pressures, 1 PBU)
  • S Chris Crosby, Sr., 5-10, 165 (37 tackles, 2 INTs, 6 PBUs)
  • QB Jonathan Garza, Jr., 5-8, 170 (79 of 137, 1,060 yards, 10 TDs, 4 INTs; 67 carries, 273 yards, 4 TDs)
  • QB Anthony Tennison, Sr., 6-2, 185 (52 of 97, 536 yards, 6 TDs, 7 INTs; 32 carries, 124 yards, 1 TD)
  • WR Carlos Aguilar, Jr., 5-9, 170 (27 catches, 330 yards, 5 TDs)
  • LB Robert Presley, Sr., 5-8, 185 (79 tackles, 2 QB pressures, 2 PBUs)
  • S Tylor Turner, Sr., 5-8, 175 (40 tackles, 1 for loss, 5 QB pressures, 2 forced fumbles, 1 recovery, 2 PBUs)

 

Longview

  • RB Kendrevian White, Sr., 6-0, 202 (176 carries, 1,116 yards, 14 TDs)
  • QB Gaylon Wiley, Sr., 6-4, 185 (54 of 105, 1,127 yards, 15 TDs, 5 INTs; 46 carries, 176 yards, 2 TDs)
  • RB D'Crayvan Polk, Sr., 5-9, 180 (101 carries, 824 yards, 10 TDs; 6 catches, 99 yards, 1 TD)
  • TE Jaylin Brown, Jr., 6-4, 225 (11 catches, 301 yards, 7 TDs)
  • WR Eric Timberlake, Jr., 5-10, 165 (13 catches, 341 yards, 4 TDs)
  • S Traveion Webster, Sr., 6-0, 202 (65 tackles, 2 for loss, 3 forced fumbles, 1 recovery, 2 INTs, 6 PBUs, 1 blocked kick)
  • S Jephaniah Lister, Soph., 5-9, 155 (72 tackles, 2 for loss, 5 forced fumbles, 1 recovery, 1 INT, 1 PBU)
  • OL Kendall Starling, Sr., 6-3, 310

 

Just the facts

  • This is the 13th all-time meeting between Longview and Mesquite. Longview leads the series, 10-2.
  • Longview has qualified for the playoffs for the 16th consecutive season.
  • Mesquite is averaging 30.6 points and 386.9 yards per game -- 206.7 rushing and 180.2 passing.
  • Skeeters running back Lazarus Johnson is averaging 207 total yards (142.7 rushing, 64.3 receiving) per game.
  • Two of Mesquite's district losses -- to North Mesquite and John Tyler -- came by a total of nine points.
  • Longview is averaging 43.2 points and 446.2 yards per game -- 319.7 rushing and 126.5 passing.
  • The Lobos' only home district loss under coach John King came this season -- a 38-24 setback vs. John Tyler.
  • Longview needs a win and a John Tyler loss to Tyler Lee in order to clinch the 11-6A No. 1 seed and host a first-round game in the Division II playoffs.

 

Longview RB Kendrevian White. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
Longview RB Kendrevian White. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
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Key matchup: Longview rushing attack vs. Mesquite defensive front. On paper, this appears to be a mismatch. The Lobos enter Friday's regular-season finale headed for the playoffs for a 16th consecutive season, while Mesquite is one of two teams from 11-6A to have already been mathematically eliminated from postseason contention. The only way Longview can be beaten is if its powerful running game sputters, and with a deep backfield consisting of two tailbacks and two fullbacks, fresh legs will always be a concern for opposing defenses. Longview's Kendrevian White and D'Crayvan Polk have thrived in the the Lobos' two-back set all season long, and both could be 1,000-yard rushers by the time the playoffs arrive. White is already there with a team-best 1,116 yards and 14 touchdowns. Polk needs to 176 more yards to join White in the 1,000-yard club.

Longview OL Kendall Starling. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
Longview OL Kendall Starling. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
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Mesquite has struggled against the run throughout 2016. The Skeeters are allowing almost 300 rushing yards per game, but in the last four weeks, it's gotten decidedly worse. In games against John Tyler, Tyler Lee, Rockwall-Heath, and Rockwall, Mesquite has allowed an average of 373.5 rushing yards and a yards-per-attempt average of 8.2. If that type of play continues Friday night, Longview's offense should have a field day.

Don't be surprised if: Longview keeps its offensive game plan simple. In a game like this, where Longview has a definitive edge, and scouts from next week's playoff opponent are likely to be in attendance, don't expect the Lobos to unveil all of their offensive tricks. If everything goes according to plan, and Longview's rushing attack continues to do what it's done for most of the season, there might be an opportunity for head coach John King to get some of his starters out of the game early as not to risk an injury one week before the playoffs begin.

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