|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
||
|
|
| RUSTON - Fred Talley scored three touchdowns and the Longview defense was bent, but did not break as the Lobos closed out non-district play with a 28-14 win over Ruston's Bearcats Friday night at James Field.
Longview, which came in to the game ranked No. 3 in Class 5A in the state of Texas, improved to 5-0. The Lobos open District 12-5A play next week when they travel to Lufkin to take on the eighth-ranked Lufkin Panthers. Talley's 1-yard dive with 6:58 left in the third quarter would be the difference. It would then take a strong defensive effort to hold off Ruston, which saw Torey Stinson lead all rushers with 173 yards on 21 carries. The loss by the Bearcats (4-1) was their first of the season. Stinson's 80-yard romp up the middle of the field on the Bearcats' first play from scrimmage to open the second half rallied Ruston from a 14-7 halftime deficit. Talley finished with 118 yards on 20 carries. He had 74 in the second half to go over 100 yards for the third time this season. His 42-yard scamper from his own 15-yard line keyed the 80yard, 6-play drive. Ruston had one other scoring opportunity, reaching the Lobos' 31-yard line. However, Dexter Daniels burst through from his cornerback slot for a 2-yard loss and then the Bearcats were hit with a 10-yard penalty for holding. Facing 4-and-14, Ruston went for a fake punt, but Robert Peace was tackled short of the first down marker to turn the ball back over to the Lobos. The Bearcats were hindered throughout by penalties as they are flagged for 111 yards. The Lobos were also slowed by penalties as they were called eight times for 95 yards. Longview closed out the scoring with a 4-yard run by Leon Bell with two seconds showing. The Lobos had taken possession on the Bearcats' eight-yard line after William Morrison sacked Ruston quarterback John Pruitt on fourth-and-31. Longview opened the scoring on its first possession, driving 60 yards in six plays. It was the first touchdown given up by the Bearcats in the opening half this season. A 21-yard run by Daniels moved the ball from Longview's 43-yard line to the Ruston 32. But the Bearcats nearly stalled the Lobos drive before quarterback Jay Hurst, on third-and-eight, went to Daniels on a screen pass and the senior scooted to the eight-yard line. Talley then took the handoff on first-and-goal and followed his block on the right side of the line into the end zone. Longview nearly gave the touchdown back on Ruston's subsequent drive. The Bearcats reached the Lobo six-yard line as the Lobos were flagged consecutively for a facemask and unsportsmanlike conduct on the bench. But on first-and-goal, Nick Maryland lost the ball at the five and Lobo linebacker Marcus Jordan picked it up and ran 75 yards before being hauled down at the 29. After a short 3-yard gain by Hurst, Talley finished off the scoring with a 26-yard jaunt and a 14-0 Longview advantage with 4:02 left in the opening quarter. Ruston finally found the end zone as Stinson finished off an 80-yard, 11-play series with a 16-yard burst just 55 seconds into the second quarter. The Bearcats lost leading rusher Marcus Owens to an injured shoulder on the ninth play of the drive. A steady ground attack paced the drive. Ruston also benefitted from a roughing the passer call. |