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| LONGVIEW - It wasn't anything like last year's contest, but nobody really expected it to be.
In a cautious effort by both teams, Longview came out on top by a 13-0 count over Pine Tree Friday night at Lobo Stadium to claim the city title this year. The Lobos, finishing the season 5-3-2 overall, amassed 358 yards in total offense to the Pirates' 99 yards, but only had the two touchdowns to show for it. It was Longview's best defensive outing of the year. Pine Tree was never able to mount any offensive drives and three first half scoring opportunities, resulting from Lobo miscues from the Longview 35, 31 and 17 went for naught. Longview moved almost at will between the 20s behind the running of Clifford Ward, who gained 132 yards on 23 carries, and senior Dwight Powell, who had 88 yards on 16 attempts for the Lobos. The expected confrontation between Pine Tree's Sophomore ace Jay Earnhardt and Ward never materialized as Earnhardt, who gained 13 yards on six carries, was bothered by a slight concussion and didn't even play in the second half. "I wish he would have been able to play," said Longview mentor Doug Cox. "It was a good, clean game. Both teams showed a lot of character.' "Last year we had the trick and stuff, and even when you win you don't have that good feeling inside you," said Cox. "We came out and played good hard football, and I'm sure coach (Pine Tree coach Maurice) Cook felt the same way." The Lobos amounted drives of 80 and 81 yards en route to a seven-yard touchdown run by Dwight Powell in the second quarter and Derek Grant's two-yard touchdown keeper with 37 seconds remaining in the game. The closest Pine Tree came to scoring was on Bobby Evans' missed field goal from 26 yards out. While the first half was filled with four turnovers, the second half turned out to be a defensive battle. Pine Tree's defense managed to stop the Lobo offense when it counted, and 84 yards in penalties also stalled several Longview scoring opportunities. Longview had a 15-play drive end at the Pine Tree 21 early in the fourth quarter. A holding penalty ruined this threat after the Lobos had controlled the ball for nearly six minutes. Longview made good on their next possession, picking up six first downs and driving 81 yards in 13 plays. Grant scored the clincher on a two-yard run around left end. The big play of the drive came on a 35-yard halfback pass from Clifford ward to Nate Harris. Chuck Tomberlain's extra point was wide. Longview overcame three firs half fumbles to take the lead on an 80-yard, 13-play drive with Powell scoring front he seven with 3:03 left in the first half. Longview made seven first downs in the drive with Powell and Ward running through big holes for five or more yards with each carry. Powell, scoring his first touchdown for he season, burst over right tackle, breaking a couple of tackles as he went in standing up. "It sure was a good way to end the season," said Grant, who scored his first touchdown as a Lobo. |