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LONGVIEW - Longview got to play spoiler Friday night as the Lobos ended Nacogdoches' playoff hopes with a 32-22 victory in the regular season finale.
Nacogdoches needed a win over Longview, plus a John Tyler victory over Tyler Lee to reach the postseason for the first time since 1992. However, the Lobos totaled 407 yards of offense and got a solid defensive performance to end the Dragons' season. Longview closes out the season at 4-6 and 2-3 in District 12-5A. Nacogdoches falls to 5-5 and 2-3. By virtue of the Dragons' loss Lee qualifies for the playoffs. John Tyler and Lufkin were already in, although a Lee win today would give the Red Raiders their first district championship, while a John Tyler victory gives Lufkin its first title since 1986. For the second straight week Dustin Wilson directed the Lobo offense, throwing for 265 yards while also getting 112 on the ground from Artillious Allison. The junior quarterback was 17 of 22 while throwing for one touchdown and running for another. "Give credit to the offensive line," said Wilson, who got blocking support from Terrance Young, Chris Peters, Edward Choy, Marlon Davis, Aubrey Palmer and Trey Hoffman. "It wouldn't have happened without them." Wilson and Allison rallied the Lobos from a 14-9 halftime deficit with consecutive scoring drives on their first two possessions of the third quarter. A 62-yard, seven-play opening series culminated in a 29-yard scoring play to LaRoyce Howard, who caught the ball in stride at the goal line. It didn't take long for Longview to get the ball back as defensive back Donald Kenny fell on an errant pitch by Dragon quarterback Rico Harris at the Nacogdoches 20. Allison broke loose for 19 yards to the one-yard line and Mark Peters then bulled in for the touchdown. The Lobos led 22-14 with 7:18 showing on the clock. Longview would run off 29 unanswered points. Allison, who went over 100 yards for just the second time this season on 20 carries, collected his touchdown on a 14-yard run with 11:18 remaining in the fourth quarter. Josh Scobee, who had earlier kicked a 23-yard field goal on the Lobos' first possession, also had enough distance from 45 yards at the 3:54 mark to seal the win. Nacogdoches scored with 2:53 to play as Harris and Earl Morris hooked up for a 26-yard passing play. Harris also ran in the two-point conversion. Longview's defense rattled Harris all night, forcing two fumbles and picking off three passes. The Lobos held the Dragons to 240 yards total offense. Broderick Thomas, Willie Andrews and Kenny had the interceptions, while Courtney Taylor also came up with a fumble. Harris had 34 yards in negative yardage as Jamar Frazier, Marvin Byrdsong, Dejuan Sammons, Peters and Kenny combined for four sacks. Longview had to play catch up after Nacogdoches put up 14 unanswered points in the second quarter. Andre Garrett scored on a 16-yard run and Harris ran in from 7 yards after Longview fumbled the ball near midfield. Latwon Berry also ran in a two-point conversion. The Lobos had narrowed the deficit to 14-9 at halftime on Wilson's 1-yard sneak with 1:13 remaining. |