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| IRVING - Longview had the No. 2 ranked and defending state champion Duncanville Panthers playing catch up in the first half, but a pair of second-half turnovers by the Lobos proved costly Friday night at Texas Stadium.
Duncanville's Eric Richardson converted both fourth quarter miscues into touchdowns as the Panthers (3-0) turned back the Lobos 38-21, ending a two-game losing streak to Longview that dated back to the 1997 Class 5A Division I state semifinals. Turnovers had plagued Duncanville in its previous two games against the Lobos - losing 36-21 in '97 and 36-15 a year ago in the regular season matchup. The Panthers, however, turned the ball over three more time, giving them 15 in the three games combined. After scoring three of the first four times they touched the ball, the Lobos (1-2) were shutout in the second half as they mustered just 18 total yards and had only two first downs over the final two quarters of play. Turnovers at their own 13-and 10-yard line sled to runs of 13 and 4 yards by Richardson, who finished with 147 yards on 19 carries. He also scored on a 27-yard run in the first quarter. Panther quarterback Ricky Smith added to the Duncanville offense by completing 9 of 13 for 231 yards through the air and on touchdown. The Panthers broke the halftime tie on a 28-yard field goal by Jay Ingram with 5:38 remaining in the third quarter. It was one of the longest series in the game by either team as Duncanville used eight plays to move the ball 42 yards. Big plays dominated the opening half of play as the Lobos and Panthers went into the locker rooms tied 21-all at halftime. Not unlike a week ago, the Lobos scored first only to have the Panthers rally. The two teams put 28 points on the scoreboard in the initial 9:18 of the ballgame. Longview scored the first two times it touched the football. Courtney Taylor turned a reverse into a 59-yard scamper up the left sideline with 8:09 showing on the game clock. However, Duncanville rallied as Jon Evans caught a 48-yard toss from Smith over his right shoulder to give the Panthers a first-and-10 at the Lobo 32. Two plays later, Richardson took the pitch from Smith and raced down the right the sideline for the touchdown. The Lobos came right back, set up by Broderick Thomas' 46-yard kickoff return to his own 46. A 23-yard pass to Walter Sharp gave Longview a first down at the Panther 33. After quarterback Joe Creal and Taylor couldn't connect on first down, the two hooked up on the next play as Taylor went over the middle for 33-yards to regain the lead. Duncanville quickly answered as Smith and Montiese Culton hooked up for a 50-yard strike with the Panthers setting up on the Lobos' 12. Daniel McLehttps://lobohistory.com then ran three straight plays, scoring on a short 2-yard run. The Lobos were stymied on their next possession, but with the Panthers facing a first-and-10 at their 36, Anthony Dunn tipped Smith's intended pass and then latched on to it for a 34-yard interception return to the two-yard line. Mark Peters then bulled his way in as Longview regained the advantage with 11:13 left in the second quarter. Duncanville answered back with 6:41 remaining in the half as Smith threw to a wide open Bernard Campbell as the Panthers again tied the contest. Smith was 7 of 9 in the first half for 204 yards. |