|
|||||
|
|
||||
|
||
|
IRVING - Longview clearly found its identity Friday night.
Minus its ground leader Fred Talley, who left the game after carrying the ball on the Lobos' first play from scrimmage, No. 4-ranked Longview and spanked No. 3-Duncnaville in a decisive 36-15 romp at Texas Stadium. Talley injured his left ankle after an 8-yard carry and never returned. The all-state senior was coming off consecutive 100-yard games. However, quarterback Trey Pierce simply went to the air and finished with 152 yards on 9-of-15 completions and three touchdowns. For Duncanville, it had to be deja vu of last year's 5A Division I state semifinal, where the Panthers committed six turnovers and lost 36-21. Friday, they turned the ball over six times - all on fumbles. However, the Lobos can give credit to their defense for forcing the turnovers. Mark Peters and William Morrison each caused two Duncanville turnovers. Longview's defense also account for four quarterback sacks - one each by Peters, Morrison, Tracy Brooks and Josh Symank. "We felt like coming in, defensively, that had to be the strength of our football team early, while our offense developed," said Longview head coach Robert Bero. "Our quarterback - this is his first year to start of us - he needed time to develop. But he's played three weeks of outstanding football and is getting better each week. "But defensively that's the strength of our football team, right now. We're growing offensively." Morrison then forced a Panther fumble on Duncanville's initial possession of the third quarter, which Peters recovered at the 34. Calvin Coleman, who filled in for Talley and picked up 74 yards on 25 carries, scored his first touchdown of the season with a 1-yard run at the 1:49 mark. Pierce then closed out the scoring at the 8:48 mark of the fourth quarter as he connected with Jamie Brown for a 20-yard touchdown pass. A fumble recovery by Tyrone Brown set up the Lobos at the Panther 46. With Talley on the sideline, Pierce took control of the offense in the first half as the Lobos jumped out to an early 19-0 lead. Longview benefitted from a costly roughing the kicker call and two of three Panther fumbles in the opening half. Duncanville fumbled the ball away on its first play from scrimmage. However, Longview stalled just shy of midfield and was forced to punt. But on Morrison's subsequent punt, the Panthers were flagged for roughing the kicker, giving the Lobos a first down at the Duncanville 40. Pierce then directed Longview on a nine-play drive, going around the left end for two yards as Longview went up 6-0 with 5:17 showing. Coleman set up the touchdown with an 11-yard run to the four-yard line. The extra point was blocked after Longview was flagged for illegal procedure. Both teams then traded possessions before Kennieth Williams coughed up the ball for Duncanville a second time. Morrison fell on the ball for his second fumble recovery of the game at the Panther 29. Four plays later, Pierce connected with Courtney Taylor for 14 yards. Hargrave booted the extra point and Longview led 13-0 with 11 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Peters and Alan Rogers combined to set the Lobos up for their third score. Peters knocked the ball out of Dean's hands and Rodgers recovered at the Duncanville 14. Pierce then went up top again to Taylor on the second play for a 14-yard touchdown completion. The Panthers finally scored right before half-time following Longview's only miscue. They recovered a fumble at the Lobo 25. Terrance Dean finished off the seven-play drive with a 1-yard run. |