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| LONGVIEW - The challenging rumble of the Wolfpack continues to grow ominously in East Texas football circles, where there is a growing feeling that the increasingly-impressive Longview squad may have been sold somewhat short in pre-season forecasts.
The surprising Lobos added considerable luster to an already brilliant start this season by maintaining their unbeaten and untied record with a convincing 26-7 victory over the Denison Yellowjackets of District 5-AAAA here Friday night and in so doing stamped themselves as a definite contender for the District 4-AAAA title. The Longview victory itself did not register as an upset, but the ease at which the Lobos turned the Jackets was practically startling as they quickly took complete control of the contest and almost made it a rout by the end of the second quarter. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that the locals could have won by a much wider margin if they had tried to keep the heat turned on. They rolled up a large lead at halftime and from that point on were largely content just protecting their margin throughout the third and fourth quarters. It was Longview's third consecutive triumph of the season while the setback was the third in a row for the Yellowjackets, who previously had lost to Port Arthur and Baytown. Denison chalked up 14 first downs to 13 for Longview, the Lobos amassed a total of 268 net yards against 187 for the Yellowjackets. Longview was extremely effective on the ground and in the air, gaining 157 yards rushing and 111 passing. The sharp running attack of the Yellowjackets, who gained all but 22 of their total on the grounds, continually punctured Longview's defense in midfield but again the defense of the Lobos was rugged when they were backed up deep in their own territory and once they rose up to stop the visitors after Denison had driven down to the four-yard line. Longview's first touchdown came late in the first quarter when co-captain Dick Nash broke loose around right end for 81 yards to pay dirt with the aid of a beautiful block by co-captain Martin (Jeep) Reynolds, who took out the last Denison defender on the Yellowjackets' 20-yard line. End Jerry Barnes' placement kick on the try for extra point was wide, leaving Longview with a 6-0 margin at the end of the initial quarter. Taking possession of the ball on their own four-yard line midway in the second quarter after a Denison drive was stopped at that point, the Lobos drove 96 yards for their second touchdown. Most of the distance was reeled off on a 59-yard pass play from quarterback Jerry Matthews to L.T. Mobbs, normally a back who was shifted to end for the one play. Matthews fired a 20-yard aerial to Mobbs and the little speed merchant swirled away from one tackler and then outran the field for the remaining 39 yards. Barnes booted the extra point. Co-captain Bobby Blakeley recovered a Denison fumble on the ensuing kickoff on the Yellowjackets' 28-yard stripe to set up Longview's third touchdown shortly before the end of the half. From a double reverse, Matthews fired a 27-yard touchdown pass to tailback Billy Wayne Dodson. He took the pass on the fourth and slithered on into the end zone. Barnes again converted to give the Lobos a 20-0 lead at the half. Denison's only touchdown came early in the third chapter on a 65-yard drive. Halfback Jerry Duggan plunged over from the four to score after a 15-yard penalty set the Lobos back on their own five. Carl Nichols' placement kick on the first try for extra point was blocked bu the Lobos were offside and drew a penalty to their one, from where Sonny Bruno plowed over for the conversion. Another Denison fumble led to Longview's final touchdown in the closing seconds of play. Matthews, whose punting was outstanding throughout the game, kicked to Denison's 18-yard line and there Casey Rathbon pounced on a fumble. Bobby Crawford tossed a 15-yard pass to end Claude Pliler, who made a circus catch on the Yellowjackets' three after two Denison defenders had their hands on the ball but couldn't hold it. With thirty seconds left to play Matthews fired a three-yard jump pass to Pliler in the end zone for a touchdown. Barnes' placement kick on the try for point was wide. The game ended with the ball in Longview's possession on Denison's 35-yard line after Dodson had intercepted a pass and returned it to that point. |