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| LONGVIEW - Staying focused was what Longview coach Robert Bero had preached to his team all week. It cost the Lobos last year against Nacogdoches.
Guided by five interceptions, the Lobos were more than focused as they captured a 59-6 Homecoming trump over Nacogdoches Friday night at Lobo Stadium. The win improved Longview to 2-0 in the District 12-5A race - 6-1 for the season - and avenged a 33-12 defeat. Nacogdoches fell to 0-2 and dropped its third straight to fall to 3-4. Staying focused on quarterback Dustin Treadwell, the Lobo defense turned those interceptions into 28 points. Cornerback B.T. Lawson picked off two and tipped another to pass to teammate Charles Jones. The defense also shutdown Dragon halfback Isaac Bell, who came into the game as the district's leading rusher. He finished with 85 yards - nearly half coming on Nacogdoches' final series of the game. "I think right now we're dealing with a much more mature football team," Bero said. "There are a lot of seniors on this team and they remember what happened to us last year. A lot of it was just due to us not staying focused and not getting better during the last part of the year. "We've had our best two weeks of practice the last two weeks and that's why we're getting better. We're working to get better." The 59 points by Longview was the most scored in recent history, eclipsing last year's 54-8 win over Dallas South Oak Cliff. Two interceptions and a fumble paced Longview to a decisive 25-point second quarter and a 31-6 lead at halftime. The running of tailback Andre Davis produced 186 yards and five touchdowns before the senior finally took a much deserved seat on the bench following his final touchdown run. Davis' three yard score with 4:58 remaining in the third quarter followed a Brian Payne interception. It was a night of vintage running by the Lobos as the passing game, which has accounted for over 700 yards this season, took the night off with only 26. Longview compiled a season high 361 yards on the ground. Longview also got a pair of second-half touchdowns from backup Amon Hutchins from seven yards and one yard in the fourth quarter. Treadwell, who suffered through a miserable 7 of 27 passing performance for 65 yards, was intercepted three times in the second quarter with Lawson playing the culprit. Longview's first pick off returned the ball 57 yards in the opening minute of the second quarter. It then took only three plays for Davis to race in from 26 yards out. Quarterback Dodson then connected with John Washington for a two-point conversion pass and a 14-0 lead. The extra point on Davis' first score - a one-yard run with 6:50 showing in the first quarter - was blocked. Davis' third touchdown followed Jones' interception as he broke tackles at the line of scrimmage for a 24-yard romp. The 36-yard, four-play drive increased Longview's advantage to 21-0. Nacogdoches' only points came on Neal Shaw's recovery of a blocked Levin Fuller punt by Keith Driver in the end zone. The Lobo defense had held the Dragons on four downs inside the 10-yard line, but were forced to punt after the offense stalled. But the Lobos came right back with a 61-yard gallop by Alton McAlister on their first play from scrimmage after the ensuing kickoff. |