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| LUFKIN - Longview battled Lufkin and heavy rain on a soaked field at Abe Martin Stadium during the teams' 2024 season opener on Friday night, and eventually overcame three first half turnovers in a hard-fought 7-3 win.
The Lobos improved their 2024 season record to 1-0 before they play their second straight rivalry matchup against Marshall during next Friday's 7:30 p.m. game at Maverick Stadium. They are now 46-37-4 against Lufkin since 1932, and 21-20-1 in series matchups between Lufkin's former home at Panther Stadium and current venue at Abe Martin Stadium. The Panthers, meanwhile, dropped their year mark to 0-1 before their home rivalry battle with Nacogdoches at 7 p.m. the same night. "I liked the way they played for four quarters," Longview athletic director and head football coach John King said of his team's defensive effort on Friday. "We didn't give up a big play." Longview was slowed down by first half turnovers. Maverick Rowe found Kieffer Doxey on a 31-yard completion before Doxey lost control of the ball and fumbled to Lufkin's Keshawn Waters with six minutes to play in the opening quarter. The Lobo defense forced a quick Lufkin drive, but Kelvin Washington lost possession of the ball on a carry for no gain during Longview's next drive, and the Panthers' Elijah Alexander picked up the fumble at the 3:22 mark of the period. The turnover trend continued at the 8:41 mark of the second quarter because Rowe lost control of the ball on a 10-yard sack, and Alexander grabbed a loose ball for the second time in the game. Longview eventually regrouped on the final offensive play of the first half when Washington found his footing enough to produce a 48-yard rushing touchdown. Kicker Alexandre Mitchell then added the ensuing PAT to give the Lobos a 7-0 lead at halftime. Washington eventually finished with 21 carries for 140 yards. The Lobos' defense continued its team momentum when Jailynn Taylor intercepted Quincy Coutee's Lufkin pass at the 9:01 mark of the third quarter. But, Longview's offense continued to have a hard time moving the ball, and didn't take advantage of the opportunity. Lufkin then did the complete opposite, and arrived in the red zone for the first time in the game. The Panthers moved all the way to the Lobo five-yard line before Ke'Vondrick Taylor lost three yards on a carry and Nolan Hansard drilled a 25-yard field goal attempt to cut Longview's lead to 7-3 with 10:34 to play in the fourth quarter. Longview's defense then wrapped up the win when Da'Kayden Carter intercepted Coutee's pass with 2:28 to play in the event. Rowe completed seven of his 14 pass attempts for 71 yards, while Coutee finished 6-of-18 for 31 yards. |