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| LONGVIEW - Sparked by the outstanding offensive performance of Edward Hawkins, speedy 160-pound fullback, the Lufkin Panthers spoiled Longview High's 1952 football debut by defeating the Lobos here Friday night before a crowd of more than 6,000 fans, 19-7.
Hawkins scored all three of Lufkin's touchdowns, one of them on an 87-yard punt return in the second quarter, and otherwise kept the smooth-working Lufkin offense in high gear. The Panthers chalked up 15 first downs to seven for Longview. The Lobos did not make a first down until the game was five minutes and ten seconds deep into the second quarter as the jittery locals several times saw scoring bids halted by fumbles. Lufkin scored once in each of the first two periods to lead at the half 12-0. The Lobos made their most serious gestures in the third quarter when they scored their only touchdown and for a few fleeting moments it even looked like they might overhaul the Panthers. Longview's lone touchdown came early in the third period when tailback Bobby Crawford intercepted a pass by David Holt, Lufkin quarterback, and sprinted back 39 yards through a broken field into the end zone to give Longview partisans their first chance to cheer. End Jerry Barnes booted the extra point to whittle Lufkin's lead to 12-7 and it appeared that the Lobos might be able to overhaul the visitors, but from then on the offense of the Longview eleven functioned only spasmodically and the locals couldn't get a sustained offense under way. A fumble allowed the visitors to score their first touchdown late in the opening period. Guard David Pezdirt pounced on a loose ball on Longview's 11-yard line to set the opening touchdown drive in motion. The Panthers quickly pushed their way down to the one-yard line and Hawkins plowed over tackle from there to score. Holt's place kick on the try for extra point was wide leaving the District 5-AAA team with a 6-0 margin as the period closed. Early in the second quarter the Panthers threatened again when they drove to Longview's 11-yard line, but Dean Hesse, Lobo tackle, recovered a fumble to stein the tide. Late in the same period Hawkins returned Crawford's punt 87 yards in a beautiful run on which he reversed his field and then outraced the secondary to reach pay dirt. Holt's kick was again wide and the Panthers held their 12-0 lead until the half. Tackle Sonny Bass recovered another Longview fumble on the Lufkin 40-yard line late in the third period to give the Panthers the opportunity to score their third and final touchdown. A pass from Holt to end Rayford Gibson netted a 39-yard gain for the Panthers, giving them a first down on Longview's 12-yard stripe. In four line smashes, Hawkins made a first down on the one-yard line as the third quarter ended. On the first play of the final period, Hawkins blasted his way over guard for a touchdown and David Musslewhite kicked Lufkin's only extra point of the night. |