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| LONGVIEW - Potential was the word of the day for Longview's football team on Friday. Longview's defense showed its potential, while quarterback D'Marcus Miles gave a hint of what potential is yet to come.
The explosiveness of the defense and the efficiency of Miles combined for a surprisingly easy, 38-7 win over Monroe (La.) Ouachita before 6,500 spectators at Lobo Stadium. After allowing 500 yards to Marshall, and playing a spread offense similar to the Mavericks, the Lobos (2-1) held the Lions (1-2) to 153 total yards. Ouachita is ranked No. 7 in the Associated Press Class 4A state poll of Louisiana and advanced to the Class 4A state semifinals in 2005. It was an emotional win for the Lobos, as a teacher cherished by many players - Dolores Crain - died on Monday. On Friday afternoon, a funeral was held for Crain, who taught at Longview High School for 37 years. "We fixed all the dents we had, all the holes we had on defense," said Longview defensive lineman Ricardo Buchanan, who had a fumble recovery. "We played this game for Ms. Crain. "If she was here, she would say, 'The Lobos went out and got them.'" The Lobos went on the attack, immediately. Longview scored on its first four possessions, and on its first two plays from scrimmage. Jazmon Moon returned the opening kickoff 86 yards, setting up Mark Johnson for a 6-yard touchdown run. On Ouachita's first drive, a Josh Strong pass was intercepted by Sherman Rosborough, setting up a 49-yard touchdown pass from Miles to Travrus Brown with 9:58 left in the first quarter. A Ouachita personal foul helped set up an 8-yard touchdown run by Miles with 7:06 in the first. Another Ouachita personal foul helped Longview on its next drive as well, which ended with a 9-yard touchdown run by Moon. Ouachita had 85 yards in penalties in the first half, 90 for the game. Miles led Longview with 145 total yards, including a 124 yards passing, which was more than his previous two games combined. "I'm very happy with how I played. I told my receivers all week we would connect," Miles said. "I think I cleared a hurdle." Playing probably its best half of defense of this season, Longview held Ouachita to 81 total yards in the first half. Dontray Nelson also had an interception for Longview in the first half, while Antajun Guinn - who did not play for disciplinary reasons last week - had three tackles for losses. Ricardo Buchanan also had a fumble recovery for the Lobos. Moon had 41 yards on five carries, but because of an apparent ankle injury, left the game early in the second quarter. Moon rushed for 264 yards and four touchdowns in the win last week over Marshall. Johnson led Longview Friday with 44 yards rushing. Ouachita didn't score until a 2-yard touchdown plunge by Montrell Conner with four minutes remaining in the game. Ouachita got 76 of its total yards on this drive, against mainly Longview reserves. Conner led Ouachita with 53 yards rushing. "I think it was both what Longview did and what we didn't do," Ouachita coach John Carr said. "We didn't handle this trip real well. Evidently, some of our kids thought they were going to Six Flags." Longview has an open date next week before hosting Dallas Carter on Sept. 29. |