Longview's Ameron Dean Wins ETSN.fm + Dairy Queen Defensive Player Of The Week

Friday's game between Longview and Lufkin was full of top-notch defensive performances, but Lobos senior defensive back Ameron Dean stood out among the rest.

With a second-quarter interception in the red zone and a blocked PAT in the game's last minute that otherwise likely would have sent the game into overtime, Dean delivered a big 21-20 win to Longview. It's good enough for the first ETSN.fm + Dairy Queen Defensive Player of the Week honor of the season.

The game meant a lot for both sides. Lufkin's 2014 season ended with a one-point loss to Longview in the Class 5A Division I bi-district playoff round after a convincing season-opening win against the Lobos.

Dean -- who won Defensive Back Most Valuable Player at the ETSN.fm + APEC Football Recruiting Combine in May -- insured a second consecutive win against the Panthers by blocking Rodrigo Molina's game-tying PAT with 34 seconds to play. Lufkin failed to recover its ensuing onside kick.

Every single play counted in the game.

Dean also ended a big Panthers threat with an interception at the Lobos' 8-yard line and returned it to the 42. Longview went three-and-out, but its punt pinned Lufkin with bad field position and the Pack punted back to give the Lobos a chance to increase its lead from 14-7.

Longview failed to score on its next possession and the defensive struggled continued. Lufkin ultimately drew even on Savon Fields' 92-yard punt return with 1:22 remaining in the half.

Tylan Miller broke the stalemate on a 20-yard run with about four minutes to play. The Panthers raced down the field and Jadrian Bennett caught a 7-yard pass from Rodgers in the final seconds.

With the win and other circumstances, the Lobos jumped from No. 3 in the ETSN.fm Class 6A/5A poll to No. 1. Lufkin also jumped two spots to No. 2.

Dean will have to bring it again this week. Longview squares off Saturday with No. 3 John Tyler at Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium and the Lions are hoping to rebound from a bad performance at Plano.

Either Lufkin or John Tyler will draw Longview in the first round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs if all three programs make it to the postseason.