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| WACO - Longview returned to its bread-and-butter - running the football - along with a big-play defense to beat Waco High 20-10 in the season-opener Friday night at Paul Tyson Field.
Defense was suppose to be Longview' strength going into the 1992 season, and it was with a pair of second-half interceptions. The offense, meanwhile, unleashed a brand new backfield led by Amond Hutchins' 151 yards on 18 carries in his first-ever varsity start. "We were able to run different schemes at them by altering tailbacks," said coach Robert Bero. "We felt they weren't as quick on the corners and if we could get out into the open, we could use our speed. I have to give a lot of credit o Don Johnson (offensive coordinator). It was a confidence builder for our football team." The backfield of Hutchings and L'Vendric Fite at tailback, alternating at tailback, and fullback, Alton McAlister, combined for 272 of the Lobos' 294 on the ground. Longview's defense allowed the Lions only 147 total yards of offense, with 54 on the ground. It was the Lions' lowest output in six yards, after Jay Johnson and Louis Fite led Class 5A in rushing the past two years. "We played hard but didn't quite have the firepower," said Waco's Johnny Tusa. "Longview was physical and had the speed. We didn't quite match up on defense." A tip drill between 6'6 Gaylon Hyder and Michael Darsen led to Daniel's second field of the night, breaking a 10-10 tie with 6:59 to play. On Waco's next offensive series, Kevin Bradley, stepped in front of Elverna Williams' pass and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown. Danielson knotted the game for the Lobos, who trailed at halftime with a 26-yard field goal with 1:04 left in the third quarter. A little home-field advantage helped the Lions take a 10-7 halftime lead with a couple of kind bounces off the turf and a 15-30 mph bounce to its back. Michael Harvey raced 88 yards after twice muffing the kickoff at his own 12 and 15 yard lines with 10:01 to play in the second quarter. Brian Hawkins then booted a 43-yard field goal that could have easily cleared the crossbar from 60 to give Waco its 10-7 lead prior to intermission. Longview stuck to the ground, led by Hutchings, who tailed 118 yards on 11 carries in the first half. Fite finished off a 6-play, 89 yard drive with 10:17 showing in the second quarter for its early lead. Hutching set up the touchdown with a 63-yard run, before being hauled down by Waco's Shelby Lee with a clutch tackle at the Lion 21. Fite ran four straight plays, including a 15-yard to the 6, before tallying his first ever varsity touchdown. The Lobos had an earlier opportunity to score, as they rumbled for 179-first half yards, but the snap on Danielson's 26-yard field goal attempt, with 3:11 remaining in the first quarter, was high as holder Brent Boemer leaped high to pull it down. |