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| LONGVIEW - District 11-AA grid circles were buzzing considerably today as a result of Longview's 7-0 upset victory here Friday night over the strong Texarkana Tigers, rated as one of the top-ranking elevens of the district and considered in some quarters as a possible championship contender.
The Lobos surprised even their most ardent followers by completely out-playing the heavily-favored visitors in all departments as they dug down into their bag of tricks for the first time this season and came out with a flurry of razzle-dazzle tactics that caught the Tigers by surprise. Coach Maco Stewart's proteges used an unbalanced line that contained three tackles and only one guard, called frequently on offensive plays from the trick T-formation and once used a spread pass that clicked perfectly. The locals not only clearly earned the decision, but should have won by even a larger margin as they bottled up the high-geared Texarkana running attack and throttled their aerial game by interception the amazing total of one-third of all passes thrown by the visitors. The statistics reveal a story of complete Longview superiority. The Lobos ran up 11 first downs to four for Texarkana, gained a total of 205 yards to 92 for the Tigers and were inside the Texarkana 15-yard line on three occasions without scoring. Once the Lobos pushed down tot he Tigers' five-yard marker, another time to their three and on still another to their twelve. The Lobos battled the heavier, faster Tigers off their feet for three periods and then suddenly struck with lightning-like effectiveness midway in the fourth quarter to register the only touchdown of the game after they had previously threatened on three other occasions only to be repulsed by fumbles and their own mistakes. Just when it seemed the game might end in a scoreless tie, the Lobos took a punt on their own 37 yard-line and almost before any of the 5,000 fans realized what was happening they were camped on the Texarkana goal line by virtue of a sensational 52 yard run by speedy Johnny Rogerson. After Serpass picked up two yards through the line, Rogerson cracked through the middle of the forward wall, cut sharply to the right and, in a sparkling burst of speed, raced down the east sideline to Texarkana's nine-yard marker before he was finally pushed out of bounds. At that point the Tigers were penalized to their own one-yard stripe when coach Watty Myers of Texarkana came onto he field without permission. Jack Serpass then barreled over right tackle for the game-winning touchdown as pandemonium broke loose in the stands. Fox Cashell came in from the bench to replace Rogerson and place-kicked the extra point squarely between the uprights. The Longview players rushed off the bench and swarmed all over Rogerson as he left the field after his thrilling run. Following the Longview touchdown the Tigers took desperately to the air in an effort to tie the game up, but little Don Barton, who roamed all over the secondary on pass defense, intercepted two heaves that stymied the dying efforts of the Tigers. Texarkana received a heart-breaking set back late in the second quarter when Goff completed a 25-yard pass to Wright, who sprinted 45 yards across the goal line for a total gain of 70 yards only to have the play nullified by a penalty against the Tigers for backfield in motion. |