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| RICHARDSON - Bobby Renkes kicked three field goals, including a 32-yarder with 1:12 remaining, to lift Lake Highlands to a 15-14 win over Longview Friday night at Wildcat-Ram Stadium.
It was a game of more downs than ups as both teams struggled to move the football. Turnovers, and penalties proved costly for each team, as well as mistakes on special teams. "We didn't play well and we didn't coach well," said a disappointed Longview coach Pat Collins. "I'm really disappointed. I've got to do a better job of coaching, a better job of getting this team ready to play. "Lake Highlands played well. You have to to give them credit. They had a good game plan and executed it." Longview trailed 6-0 at halftime, but rallied with a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter. A fumble on Lake Highlands' first play from scrimmage in the second half enabled the Lobos to score for a 7-6 lead at the 10:33 mark. Linebacker Marvin Byrdsong forced the turnover, knocking the ball loose from the Wildcats' Preston Prine and LaMario Hollis recovered for the Lobos. Three straight carries by Willie Andrews completed the short 13-yard drive. A strong defensive stand by Longview gave it the ball back. The Lobos then put together the longest drive of the game as they marched 75 yards in 11 plays. A key 23-yard run by Joel Armstrong moved the ball across midfield. Armstrong added another run of 9 yards and Fred Hawkins added two carries for 16. After a 7-yard run by Andrews, Artillious Allison punched the ball into the end zone and Alex Cammack tacked on the extra point for a 14-6 Lobo advantage. But just as quickly, a series of miscues turned the momentum back over to the Wildcats. Lake Highlands stripped the ball from Andrews to take over at the Longview 39. Two costly personal foul calls against the Lobos, including one on fourth-and-two kept the drive alive. Longview committed 14 penalties for 110 yards. Offensively, it had 252 total yards. Lake Highlands finished with 119 total yards offense. Jeremy Campbell closed the gap to 14-12 with a 5-yard run with 5:36 to play. The Wildcats went for a two-point conversion and Daniel Carson completed a pass to Prine. But Prine was called for taunting in the end zone and Lake Highlands was assessed a penalty. Campbell then fumbled a pass on the subsequent retry from the 18-yard line and the Lobos recovered. But on Longview's next series, a punt attempt by LaRandall McKind was blocked by Mel Williams and the Wildcats took over at the 16. After picking up just two yards, Renkes converted for the game winner. Two Renkes field goals lifted Lake Highlands to a 6-0 halftime advantage. Both were the result of Longview miscues - an interception and a bad snap on a punt. The Lobos spent most of the opening half going backwards, thanks to 45 yards in penalties. They reached Wildcat territory only once, that coming on the game's opening drive. However, the opening series ended with Stephen Hodge's interception of an Armstrong pass that he returned 31 yards to the Longview 41. The Wildcats were finally stymied at the 24, but Renkes came on and lined a 41-yarder between the uprights. Lake Highland's second scoring drive came in the waning seconds of the first half as penalties hindered another Lobo possession. Putting from his own 34, the snap to McKind was low and he was forced to run the ball before being tackles for a 2-yard loss. The Wildcats ran one play to the Lobo 27. With four seconds remaining after Lake Highlands called a timeout, Renkes converted on a 44-yard field goal as the half ended. Longview had just 21 yards rushing in the first half, and Armstrong was 4 of 12 passing for 60 yards. |