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| LONGVIEW - If Longview was looking for a motivating performance heading into the offseason, the Lobos probably found it here Friday night at Lobo Stadium in a non-district season finale win over Mesquite, 34-29.
Two of next season's principles, Earnest Hunter and Reggie Adams, combined for 328 of Longview's 411 yards total offense. But it took a bit of character building at Longview, which led in the contest after three quarters, 28-14, to put together a winning drive in the finale three minutes. While it was Hunter who kept the Lobo offense in gear through much of the game, Adams provided the necessary muscle to turn back the District 9-5A opponents. He crossed the end zone on a patented reverse with 33 seconds left, outrunning Skeeters' left cornerback, Chip Gaspie, for the touchdown. Adams 23-yard gallop three plays earlier, along with a 10-yard penalty for a late hit on Mesquite, put the game-winning drive at the 10. Longview also got a clutch reception by Renard Dixon of a Shawn Lawson pass for 24 yards. The Lobos were apparently coasting entering the final quarter when Adams run down the sideline for 59 yards to put Longview on top 28-14 as the third period expired. But a 75-yard, 10-play drive on the Skeeters next series drew the visitors within seven points as quarterback Jeff Hantes found Mark Mark in the end zone for the touchdown with 7:05 left. Mesquite's speciality teams then provided the big play after stopping Longview on defense with a block of punt David Hill's punt. Duriel Gill got the block and David Hamm recovered the ball at the Longview 16. Two plays later, Hantes spotted Dale Henley for six points. The Skeeters then went for two points as Hantes connected with Shae Creel. Longview had taken 14-7 halftime lead before Mesquite tied the game on its first possession of the second half as Ramon Wafer scored from two yards out. Robbie Graham's point-after knotted the game. Hunter, who gained 196 yards on 29 carries, broke the tie with a 6-yard burst up the middle at the 1:48 mark. Mesquite started the scoring behind a 60-yard, 12-play drive as Hantes followed a block in to the end zone with 29 seconds left in the first quarter. The drive was set up when Fred Thompson fumbled a Mesquite punt at the Skeeters' 40 and Henley recovered. Longview evened the contest at the 3:44 mark of the second quarter. Hunter, who carried the ball seven times in the 8-play drive, crossed from four yards out. The Lobos went on top one series later. The drive started off a Mesquite fumble that strong safety Victor Bush field in the air. Starting at the Skeeter 25, Hunter again did the damage finally taking the ball across for three yards at the 1:28 mark. Hill tacked on both extra points for the Lobos. |