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| IRVING - Longview head coach Robert Bero talked about the need for his team to stay focused in the playoffs. It did take one breakdown early in the game Saturday against Allen before the Lobos found their vision, and erupted for seven consecutive unanswered scores.
Call it a complete team effort - offensively, defensively and on special teams - as the Lobos eased to a 48-14 Class 5A, Division I, Region II semifinal victory over Allen Saturday night at Texas Stadium. On offense, Tajuan Stoker rushed for 131 yards on 14 carries and three touchdowns as Longview rolled up 266 on the ground. Fred Talley added 97 yards on 11 carries. Quarterback Jay Hurst's only attempted pass came with 9:33 left in the third quarter, a 50-yard touchdown pass to Steven Bradley. Backup quarterback immediately subbed for Hurst and added his first rushing score on a one-yard dive with 5:44 remaining for the Lobos' final points. Defensively, Longview held the Eagles scoreless until late in the fourth quarter. They gave up 214 through the air, but most of it came with Longview firmly in control. On the ground, the Eagles gained just 13 yards. Longview also picked off three passes by Eagles quarterback Matt Williford. The Allen quarterback was sacked five times, twice each by Adrian Lee and Easick Shead, while Jacob Pierce got him once. Doug Davis also recovered a fumble after a hit by Almarcus Williams forced the turnover. Longview spotted Allen the game's first points as Bishop Curry returned a fumble 41 yards with 5:01 left in the opening quarter. Hurst was blindsided by Eagle defender Justin Bridges coming from the right side, forcing the turnover. However, it was then all Longview, which scored on three consecutive offensive possessions, once on defense and on special teams as well. On its second series, Stoker took the first play 68 yards straight up the middle for the touchdown. Erin Roerecke's extra point tied the game nine seconds after Allen had scored. Longview benefited after the Eagles had squibbed the ball out of bounds on the kickoff. Allen would put together a 12-play drive to the Longview nine-yard line, but Jason Hunnicutt's 27-yard field goal was wide to the right. The Eagles had kept the drive alive on fourth-and-nine with a 13-yard pass from Kent Bettley to Steve Williams. Kroese's kickoff return of 39 yards set the drive up across midfield. Longview then marched 80 yards in nine plays before Stoker tallied his second touchdown with 7:30 remaining in the half. A 39-yard run off a reverse by Talley moved the ball o Eagles territory at the 41. Hurst also scrambled for 19 yards, avoiding a hard rush by Allen, to pick up a first down on third-and-nine to keep the drive alive. Special teams gave Longview its third touchdown as Lee Jackson field an Allen punt at his own 17-yard line and raced 83 yards. He picked up a key block downfield from Tavarus Glaspie. Lee Nix added a two-point conversion run after a missed extra point on the previous score. The Lobos' defense set up the fourth touchdown as linebacker Jacob Pierce made a diving interception of a Williford pass at the Eagle 35-yard line. Talley picked up 14 yards and Shawn Byrdsong turned a double-reverse into a 19-yard sprint down the right sideline before being shoved out of bounds at the one. Stoker then finished off the drive at the 2:51 mark. Glaspie then added some heroics of his own as he literally picked Jamie Frailicks pocket and returned the interception 66 yards. Frailicks had momentarily gotten open to make the reception from Kroese off a halfback option throw. Roerecke's point-after put Longview ahead 35-7 with 33 seconds to play. |