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| LONGVIEW - Friday was an example for Longview's football team on what to do for a successful first half in District 11-5A play, and what not to do in the second half.
One good half was more than enough as the Lobos cruised to a 35-21 win over Mesquite in the 11-5A opener for both teams at Lobo Stadium. The Lobos raced to a 28-0 halftime edge and were never seriously threatened. Quarterback LaDarrin Robertson accounted for 272 total yards and two touchdowns, including a one-yard touchdown run with 1:20 remaining to give Longview a 35-7 lead. Longview improves to 3-3, 1-0 while Mesquite drops to 1-5, 0-1. The Skeeters scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, including a one-yard touchdown run by Jake Lanford with five seconds remaining, but Longview coach John King said the second half was cause for concern. "I was happy with how we played in the first half overall, but we haven't had a lead like that all year," King said. "We didn't play well for all of the second half, and that was my fault for not having the team ready." Longview's offense was unstoppable early, scoring touchdowns on its first three drives. A perfect, 36-yard pass from Robertson to Brandon Olson on a third-and-eight play set up Robertson for a one-yard touchdown sneak with 9:36 left in the first quarter, capping a 74-yard drive. A 24-yard reverse run by Blaine Tomlinson started an 81-yard march on Longview's second run, capped by a one-yard touchdown by J'Haston Faggans. Longview's most impressive drive may have been its third of the game, as the Lobos went 92 yards before a one-yard touchdown run by Dakota Anthony. Anthony set himself up with a 34-yard rushing attempt. Anthony also had a two-yard touchdown run with 3:04 remaining in the first half to give Longview a 28-0 halftime lead that ended a 71-yard drive, with Blaine Tomlinson covering most of the distance with receptions of 33 and 31 yards. Blaine Tomlinson accounted for 112 total yards on five touches in the game, while Robertson was solid, going 10-for-16 for 180 yards passing in the first half. Mesquite welcomed Jake Lanford back as its starting quarterback, after Lanford missed three games because of a collarbone injury, but the Skeeters were stifled for 89 total yards in the first half. Longview safety Joe Brown forced a fumble which Brian Tomlinson recovered. Thomas Jones added a sack for Longview. Anthony led Longview with 62 yards rushing on nine carries while Demarkus Lathan led the Longview defense with nine tackles, three for losses. Lanford, making his first start in three games because of a collarbone injury, finished with 301 yards passing, 246 in the second half. Jerrell Ellis led Mesquite with five receptions for 91 yards, but the Skeeters were held to 58 yards rushing for the game. Longview plays Mesquite Horn next Friday at Lobo Stadium. |