|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
||
|
|
| LONGVIEW - There's nothing like a complicated playoff picture, but that's exactly the scenario with one week left in the District 12-5A race.
Both Longview and John Tyler needed a win and had the opportunities. End result: 7-7 tie. For Longview, a victory would keep the Lobos in control of their own post-season destiny, while a John Tyler trump assured the Lions a playoff berth. However, what the Lobos and Lions got Friday night after a 40-minute stand-off before a homecoming crowd at Lobo Stadium, was another week to settle the issue. John Tyler needs to defeat Tyler Lee next Friday night, while the Lobos must beat Marshall, which clinched the district championship Friday, and then hope the Lions are successful against the Red Raiders. John Tyler falls to 2-1-1, 7-1-1 overall, while the Lobos are 1-2-1 and 6-2-1. John Tyler had its chances to eliminate the Lobos and advance into the playoffs for the first time since 1985 right up until the closing seconds. A 20-yard field goal attempt by Gus Alfaro was wide to the left with four ticks left. The junior kicker had made one of two coming into the game - a 23-yard earlier in the season against Odessa Permian. The Lions nearly didn't get their opportunity. It took an interception of Jason Dodson's pass by Kevin Day at Longview's 43-yard line. The Lobos had averted a earlier John Tyler drive when on second-and-seven at Longview's 21, B.T. Lawson stepped in front of Kendrick Brown to pick off James Allen's pass with 1:12 showing on the clock. John Tyler's potential game-winning field goal was set up on a 40-yard Allen-to-Chris Calloway completion that moved the Lions to the three with 36 seconds. The Lobo defense was tested several times through the game, twice turning the Lions away on fourth down. Longview had its chances as well to take command of the contest. The Lobos held the football from the 6:40 mark of the third quarter until there with 9:43 left in the fourth stanza. Starting at their own 22, after John Tyler was stopped on a Nick Richardson sack of Allen, the Lobos primarily stuck to the ground and the shoes of Andre Davis. Aided by key third down pass from Dodson to Todd Dauper, Longview took the ball to the Lion 19. But a second pass attempt to Dauper fell incomplete on fourth-and-ran. The Lobos were also hurt by a critical 5-yard penalty for a delay of game. It was Longview's only serious threat of the second half. Davis led all rushers with 162 yards on 32 carries. The first half was dominated by the running of Davis, who completed 110 yards and scored once. He took the Lobos into the end zone on their first possession, scoring from two yards out with 6:52 showing on the clock. Longview had an opportunity to extend its lead early in the second, but Dean Malone's 27-yard field goal attempt missed wide to the left. The Lions' break came midway through the second quarter following a 25-yard punt by Joey Ellis, taking the ball from his 31 to the Longview 44. It took John Tyler only five plays before S.A. Barnes broke through the middle of the Lobos defense and raced 19 yards for the score with 4:36 left before halftime. |