PREVIEW: Tyler Lee + Lobos Try to Avoid Consecutive Losses

DISTRICT 11-6A

Tyler Lee Red Raiders (3-1, 0-1)

vs.

Longview Lobos (3-1, 0-1)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Lobo Stadium, Longview

Coaches

Lee: Kurt Traylor
Longview: John King

Last week

Lee: lost to Rockwall-Heath, 24-14
Longview: lost to Mesquite Horn, 52-34

Next week

Lee: vs. Mesquite Horn, Oct. 6
Longview: at Rockwall, Oct. 6

Playmakers

Lee

QB Chance Amie Sr., 6-5, 185 (56 of 91, 876 yards, 8 TDs, 3 INTs; 55 carries, 214 yards, 2 TDs; committed to Houston)
RB Ladarius Wickware, Jr., 6-0, 190 (86 carries, 554 yards, 4 TDs; 7 catches, 71 yards, 0 TDs)
DL Nathan Niedrauer, Sr., 6-1, 230 (31 tackles, 3 for loss, 1 sack, 11 QB pressures)
RB/LB Lanthony Simmons, Sr., 6-2, 210 (17 carries, 81 yards, 2 TDs; 3 catches, 67 yards, 0 TDs; 25 tackles, 7 for loss, 2 sacks, 10 QB pressures, 2 forced fumbles, 2 INTs, 2 PBUs)
DB Rhett Parker, Sr., 5-8, 150 (36 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 INT)
WR Te'vion Massey, Soph. (11 catches, 174 yards, 1 TD)
WR Marquis Gray, Sr., 5-5, 140 (15 catches, 244 yards, 1 TD)
RB/LB Jordan Printers, Jr. (10 carries, 50 yards, 2 TDs; 22 tackles, 3 for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB pressure, 2 fumble recoveries)

Longview

RB Keilyn Williams, Jr., 5-4, 140 (25 carries, 243 yards, 2 TDs; 5 catches, 99 yards, 1 TD)
TE Jaylin Brown, Sr., 6-3, 205 (8 catches, 219 yards, 3 TDs)
QB Haynes King, Soph., 6-3, 170 (22 of 47, 417 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs; 5 carries, 34 yards, 0 TDs)
WR Kamden Perry, Jr., 6-0, 165 (10 catches, 167 yards, 1 TD)
OL Marcus Williams, Jr., 6-6, 250
WR Jacob Johnson, Jr., 6-0, 175 (11 catches, 128 yards, 1 TD)
DB Jephaniah Lister, Jr., 5-9, 155 (32 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT)
DL D'Marjai Dearon, Sr., 6-0, 250 (10 tackles, 5 for loss, 4 sacks)

Just the facts

This is the 58th all-time meeting between Longview and Tyler Lee. Longview leads the series, 41-14-2.
The Red Raiders have not defeated Longview since 2003, a span of 12 consecutive meetings.
Tyler Lee is averaging 31.5 points and 468.3 yards per game -- 249.3 rushing and 219 passing.
Red Raiders running back Ladarius Wickware has rushed for at least 82 yards in all of his team's four games this season.
Tyler Lee's defense is allowing 21.3 points points per game, and has forced eight turnovers -- five interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
Longview is averaging 37 points and 426.3 yards per game -- 212.8 rushing and 213.5 passing.
The Lobos' 52 points allowed last week were their most in a district game since 1952.
Longview's defense is allowing 20.5 points per game, and has forced five turnovers -- four interceptions and one fumble recovery.

Key matchup: Longview rushing attack vs. Lee defensive front. For the first time this season, the Lobos had trouble running the football, and that caused a chain reaction of negativity. Longview ran for a season-low 94 yards in last week's blowout loss to Mesquite Horn, and to make matters worse, the Lobos lost three fumbles as part of a six-turnover night. The lack of production in the running game had an adverse affect on the passing attack as well. The Lobos used two quarterback and both of them combined to throw three interceptions. Longview fell behind 45-13 by halftime and were forced to go to the air in order to attempt a comeback. As a result, Longview attempted 35 passes on the night. Its previous high in passing attempts in a game this season was 27.

The Lobos must be able to establish the running game Friday if they wish to erase the mistakes of last week. Without starting running back Jessie Anderson, it's been difficult finding adequate replacements. Keilyn Williams leads the ground game with 243 yards on the year, but the other only active ball carrier with more than 100 yards on the season is Paul Hutchins.

Lee's defense has been a definite strength so far this season. The Red Raiders are only allowing an average of 21 points per game, and enters Friday's game with eight takeaways in four contests. The Lee defensive line is solid with senior standouts Nathan Niedrauer and David Antunez leading the way. A strong linebacking corps is anchored by senior Lanthony Simmons and junior Jordan Printers.

Don't be surprised if: Both teams are much better on offense this week. Despite putting up 34 points and 362 yards last week, Longview struggled maintaining possession of the ball with the aforementioned six turnovers. With sophomore Haynes King's three-touchdown performance, he might be in line for his first start at quarterback this season, although it wouldn't be surprising to see senior Jordan Lawson participate in the offense in some form or fashion. If the running game continues to flounder, expect to see Longview try to establish a rhythm with King and a talented trio of pass-catchers -- juniors receivers Kamden Perry and Jacob Johnson and senior tight end Jaylin Brown.

The Red Raiders actually outgained Rockwall-Heath by more than 100 yards last week, but penalties and a dozen plays that went for negative yardage stalled many of the drives. Lee will try to establish a running game of its own with junior running back Ladarius Wickware, who is among East Texas' leading rushers with almost 600 yards through four games. Lee will also need a solid performance from senior quarterback and Houston commit Chance Amie, and his compliment of receivers, which include Marquis Gray, Zaylon Walker, and Te'vion Massey.