Longview Captures Third Straight Win + Knocks Off Mesquite Horn in 11-6A Opener

LONGVIEW – Longview struck first and Mesquite Horn answered quickly Friday night in the District 11-6A opener for both teams at Lobo Stadium.

The Lobos then took off, outscoring the visiting Jaguars, 28-3, for a commanding 35-10 lead at halftime, enough of a margin for Longview to overcome four second-half turnovers in a 47-37 win.

Longview moved to 3-1 on the season and 1-0 in district play. Horn dropped its second-straight for a 2-2 mark on the season and an 0-1 start in what figures to be a wild 11-6A race.

Lobos quarterback Gaylon Wiley connected on three first-half touchdown passes on the way to a 219-yard night overall through the air. He finished 11-for-14, targeting Eric Timberlake five times for 110 yards, including scores of 22 and 18 yards. Wiley’s final touchdown pass came inside the final minute of the first half on a 30-yard toss to tight end Jaylin Brown.

Horn quarterback Chris Robison, an Oklahoma commit, returned to action after a Week 1 injury and finished the first half 12-for-18 for 165 yards with the Jaguars’ lone touchdown. He did not return in the second half, giving way to sophomore Jermaine Givens, who guided a Jaguars comeback effort with three overall touchdowns – two through the air and a third on the ground – for 151 total yards.

The Lobos offense aided the Horn offense in the final two quarters by losing four fumbles, all of which resulted in Horn scores.

Chris Kessler connected on two third-quarter touchdowns, the second giving Longview a 41-17 lead heading into the final 12 minutes.

Givens hit Katrell Blakeley on a 20-yard score and, following a Lobos fumble on the following kickoff, the sophomore scooted 19 yards to make it 41-30 with 9:09 remaining.

Trajan Bush rumbled 27 yards to give Longview some breathing room, 47-30, with 6:52 to play and the Lobos' defense followed by forcing a turnover on downs. But for the fourth time, Givens and company were back on the field two plays later, taking advantage of the short field with Givens finding Davione White from 3 yards away.

Horn dropped a pooch kick into no-man's land and a Lobos returner punched the ball out of bounds. After a brief conference, the officials ruled in favor of the Lobos, who picked up a first down to secure the win.