LOBOS RECEIVER DELIVERS BIG IN PLAYOFFS
LONGVIEW - If Longview football fans are looking for flamboyant celebrations of big plays similar to what Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson do, they probably won't see them from Longview receiver Carey Fortson

This includes times when it would be considered appropriate for Fortson to let out some emotion, such as last Saturday's 41-30 Longview win over Denton Guyer. In that contest, Fortson had his best game as a Lobos with four receptions for 140 yards and three touchdowns.

"I had people tell me they thought I wasn't happen what I made touchdowns," Fortson said. "I wasn't going tom e satisfied until I knew we were going to win, like when we went up by 11 points."

Owens and Johnson receiver a lot of attention for their celebrations, but Fortson goes the opposite direction. He said he has no desire to demand the ball or the ego to put up large number statistically. He said his first goal is to help Longview win a state championship.

Yet because of Fortson, the Lobos have a shot at the title on Saturday when they take on lake Travis for the Class 4A Division I state crown in Waco. From a clutch overtime catch against Waco Midway for the Region II title to fighting tooth and nail for a 12-yard touchdown against Guyer, Fortson has been a go-to receiver lately.

This recent play was forged by early-season frustrations. In the first six games of this season, Fortson had six catches.

Longview coach John King said he wouldn't browbeat a play who may be struggling, but the case of Fortson, even more so. King said by Fortson's body language, he knew there were few words that coaching staff could say because Fortson was his own worst critic.

"If I don't make a catch I should, I feel bad. I let the line down because they blocked for me. I let my quarterback down because he got the ball to me," Fortson said. "I'm quiet after it happens, but maybe people see my frustration in the way I walk."

Fortson said a turning point in catching footballs this season came against Mount Pleasant on Oct 10. In a 51-7 Longview win, Fortson had three receptions for 96 yards and two touchdowns. He said the improvement was simply a product of hard work.

"I just started working harder in practice," Fortson said. "People say practice doesn't lead to the game, but it does."

Since the Mount Pleasant game, Fortson has made 21 receptions and scored six of his seven touchdowns for the season.

King said Fortson's play goes well beyond catching passes. The coach said Fortson is a better blocker than he thought he would be, and he's been that way all season. King said a block Fortson made opened up a 20-yard gain for Tyler McCray on the first play from scrimmage against Texas High on Oct. 3, setting the tone of a 41-7 Longview romp.

More than anything else, blocking could be what separates Fortson from the diva-like behavior of his NFL peers.

"I like what LaDarrin Robertson and Aaron Hollins do," said Fortson, referring to Longview teammates. "When I block, I usually try to knock the other player down."

Fortson has durability in another sport as well. A standout basketball player, he played point guard two years ago when he was a freshmen, but last year, he saw time at small and power forward.

King said he see Fortson's basketball skills in his football game.

"The way he moves his team and shoulders when he makes a defender miss, it reminds me a lot of when he makes a crossover dribble move in basketball," King said.

As far as celebrations of those moves, and eventually victories, it will take careful scrutiny from spectators to find such reactions from Fortson.

In fact, even eagle-eyes fans may end up disappointed in their search.

"After I know we've won, I'll hug all my players," Fortson said. "When we get to the locker room, I'll get real loud.

"I'll keep that for the team."