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| COLLEGE STATION - While the score was not the same, the results were as Longview fell to Cypress Fairbanks, 21-7, Saturday in a Class 5A, Region II Area playoff encounter here at Kyle Field.
Two years ago the Lobos fell in the Area round to the Bobcats, 14-7, at Baylor Stadium in Waco. Cypress Fairbanks, 9-3, now advances into the regional round of the playoffs against North Mesquite, a 9-7 winner over Dallas Carter Friday night, while the Lobos end their season at 9-3. Cy-Fair's defense, which had been giving up an average of 265.3 yards offense per game, never allowed the Lobos to really get their offense in sync. Longview's rushing game, which had been good for over 2,700 yards this season, was limited to 128 yards on 40 carries. And the passing game produced just 91 yards on 23 attempts. Against Killeen Ellison in bi-district, Longview had thrown for 142 yards. The Lobos, who trailed at the half, 14-0, did tighten the game with a 7-yard run by Ray Allison with 11:34 to play in the game. But an interception of a Mike Bobo pass decided the issue when one-play later 'Cats' quarterback Trevor Spradley connected with Tony Brown for a touchdown with 2:02 to play. It was Spradley's 19th touchdown of the season. He had come into Saturday's game having thrown for 1,988 yards this season. He completed 10-of-24 for 147 yards against the Lobos. The Lobos' only scoring drive began late in the third quarter off a shanked punt from Cy-Fair punter Chris Welter, which went for only 18 yards from his 24 to the 43 yard line. A 13-yard run by Tony Blankenship and an 8-yard carry by Earnest Hunter moved the ball to the 'Cats' 22. A Bobo pass to Eric Faggett then gave Longview a first-and-goal at the seven. Allison then took a delayed handoff from Bobo and strolled into the end zone, his 15th of the season. Steve Allgood's extra point pulled Longview to within seven. Whatever chance Longview had to draw even or go ahead with a potential two-point conversion finally died when Spradley connected with Brown, all set up off a Justin Wagner interception of a Bobo pass which bounced off Mike Tidwell into Wagner's arms, who then fell to the carpet with 2:06 remaining. Prior to Wagner's interception, Welter had pinned the Lobos deep in their own territory when the Bobcats downed the punt at the four-yard line. Cy-Fair did cough up a fumble to give the Lobos a chance with 8:08 to play, but Longview couldn't put anything together. Twice the Lobos were forced to punt as they could never get closer than their own 37 yard line. It was the Bobcats only turnover of the contest, while the Lobos committed two. Spradley was also guilty of tossing one interception. However, neither team could produce from the miscues. Longview's defense, led by linebacker Warren Smith and right end Jesse Johnson, did sack Spradley for a minus-26 yards in sacks. They held the Bobcats' running game to 126 yards. In the first half the Bobcats made the most of their opportunities - particularly the first two series - to take a 14-0 lead into the dressing room. A penalty, and failure to convert a fourth down play eventually led to both the Bobocat scores. Cy-Fair had won the toss to start the game, but elected to defer. After the Bobcats' defense forced Longview to punt, Spradley engineered a 58-yard, 9-play drive with Derrick Simon doing the honors from four yards out. Robertson's extra point put the 'Cats on top 7-0 with 7:10 to play in the opening quarter. A key play in the drive was a five yard offsides call against the Lobos after Robbie Robertson's 47-yard field goal attempt fell short. But the penalty moved the ball to the Lobos' 24 and the Bobcats decided to go for the first down. Facing a fourth-and-five, Spradley connected with Brown for the first down to Longview's four yard line. Derrick Simon then broke through the right side of the first score of the contest. The Lobos, however, then put together a drive. Bobo led the way with 28 yards on a pair of keepers. But, Longview wouldn't convert a fourth-and-two play at the 'Cats' 31. Longview had been driving and faced second-and-one before Eric Faggett was tackled from behind for a 2-yard loss on an attempted pass by the 6'2 senior. Allison could only gain 1-yard one the proceeding play and then was stacked up for no gain on fourth down. The Bobcats then drove 69 yards in 11 plays. Simon scored his second touchdown of the game on a 2-yard run with 11:20 to play before halftime. The Cy-Fair score had been set up when Spradley and Brown combined for a 13-yard pass off a third-and-seven play to the Longview nine. Simon finished as the leading rusher with 72 yards on 14 carries. |