[By David McNabb, Special to ETSN.fm]

ALLEN -- Longview seemed to be cruising toward a season-opening victory early in the fourth quarter but a fourth-down touchdown pass, a lost onside kick combined with several special teams problems led to a 32-24 loss to Coppell in the Tom Landry Classic.

“We had great effort, we had a chance to win it and just didn’t make a play,” Longview coach John King said. “A touchdown on fourth down, a kick goes off a face mask and the ball bounces different. We had a 12-point lead and bang-bang, it’s 25-24.”

Longview fullback Jeremy Powell is hit by Coppell linebacker Elliott Tostrud on Friday at Eagle Stadium in Allen. (Jaime R. Carrero, ETSN.fm)
Longview fullback Jeremy Powell is hit by Coppell linebacker Elliott Tostrud on Friday at Eagle Stadium in Allen. (Jaime R. Carrero, ETSN.fm)
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Coppell scored its final touchdown with six seconds left for a deceptive margin. Coppell was largely chasing Longview through the first three quarters. Longview took a 24-12 lead with 10 minutes remaining as senior receiver Dorian Leonard caught a 44-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Dezmond Chumley.

Coppell took a 25-24 lead with 3:49 left as senior running back Gavin McDaniel scored on a 3-yard run with the extra point by kicker Adam Centers. The drive was set up by senior Troy Parker recovering an onside kick at Longview’s 49.

Coppell had just taken a 24-19 lead with 8:13 left as junior Charles West threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end Blake Mahon on a fourth-and-five. Coppell’s drive was highlighted by a 39-yard screen reception by McDaniel and a 15-yard facemask penalty.

Longview took a 17-10 lead as safety Stephan Maxey scooped up a forced fumble 21 yards for a touchdown. Longview rolled up 320 yards total offense against a stingy Coppell defense. Chumley ended with 13 completions in 27 attempts for 230 yards. Leonard had seven catches for 133 yards.

Junior running back JaMycal Hasty rushed for 112 yards on 17 carries and had 66 yards on three receptions coming out of the backfield and as a wide receiver.

But Longview gave up a safety on a high punt snap through the end zone. The Lobos missed a 41-yard field goal. And Coppell had more than 100 yards on returns.

“We have some big play makers on offense,” King said. “Our defense is young but they showed they can make some plays. We missed a couple tackles on kicks, missed a kick and had some trouble with snaps. It’s the first game and against a good team. We can get better at some things.”

Longview took a 10-9 lead just before half on a 37-yard field goal by Andres Perez. With matching physical styles, quick swings controlled the score. Coppell took a 9-7 lead just 16 seconds after Longview scored its first touchdown. West scored on a 31-yard run on the first play after a 66-yard kickoff return by  McDaniel.

Longview took a 7-2 lead as 6-3 senior tight end Jordan Whitaker jumped high for 9-yard touchdown pass in the back corner of the end zone. The drive was set up by senior safety Travain Howard blocking a Coppell punt. Coppell took a 2-0 lead early in the second quarter when a high punt snap sailed out of the end zone.

Longview tight end Jordan Whitaker leaps for a touchdown catch over Coppell's Troy Parker on Friday at Eagle Stadium in Allen. (Jaime R. Carrero, ETSN.fm)
Longview tight end Jordan Whitaker leaps for a touchdown catch over Coppell's Troy Parker on Friday at Eagle Stadium in Allen. (Jaime R. Carrero, ETSN.fm)
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