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| MOUNT PLEASANT - The characters were different for the Longview Lobos on Friday, but the result was almost the same and almost as impressive.
Running backs Tyler McCray and Da'Cedric Hunt, as well as an impressive defense led the Lobos to a 44-0 win over Mount Pleasant at Sam Parker Field. The score nearly duplicated Longview's 45-0 win over Sulphur Springs last week. Longview, ranked No. 3 in the Associated Press' Class 4A state poll, improves to 6-1, 3-0 in District 13-4A while Mount Pleasant drops to 3-4, 1-2. McCray rushed for three touchdowns in the first half while Hunt was Longview's leading rusher with 80 yards on 11 carries, fueling an offense which produced 453 yards. McCray and Hunt returned after sitting out the Sulphur Springs game for disciplinary reasons. Longview coach John King was quick to point the contributions of fellow running back Keylon Shaw and Dakota Anthony. Anthony and Shaw combined for 70 yards on 12 carries as the Lobos had 276 yards on 35 carries. "Tyler and Da'Cedric played good at times. Tyler looked like Tyler," King said. "Keylon and Dakota looked good carrying the ball too." Longview's defense sparkled for its second straight shutout, led by two tackles for losses by tackle Bubba Vactor in the first half. Mount Pleasant's run-heavy offense went for 232 yards, but 171 was in the second half when the game's outcome had been decided. Longview's defense had a different leader as associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator John Berry was reassigned on Monday. Casey Pearce took over as Longview's sole defensive coordinator this week. "The defensive coaches did a good job holding everything together," King said. "This defense has too much pride to lay down, regardless of the situation." McCray made the impact of his return felt right away. On the second play from scrimmage McCray ran 33 yards for a touchdown on sidewinder path which covered closer to 50 yards. Mount Pleasant running back Cash Thompson fumbled on his team's opening drive and Addison McGee recovered for Longview and returned it 16 yards to the Mount Pleasant 25-yard line. This set up a one-yard touchdown run by McCray with 5:53 left in the first quarter, giving the Lobos a 13-0 lead as a high snap prevented an extra-point attempt. King warned this week about Mount Pleasant going for it on a fourth down and the Tigers made an attempt on its fourth-and-two on its own 42-yard line with 3:47 left in the first quarter, but Longview's Thomas Jones stopped Landon Whitaker for one yard. This gave Longview an edge on field advantage and the Lobos cashed in when with a 27-yard touchdown run by McCray on the first play of the second quarter. McCray had 70 yards rushing on five first-half carries and finished with 75 yards on seven carries. Mount Pleasant's best chance to get back into the game was on the ensuing drive. Joe Brown muffed a punt by Buff Hurndon and Clint Spigener recovered for Mount Pleasant. The Tigers continued its drive and advanced to the Longview seven-yard line, but on a Whitaker run attempt, Diop Johnson forced a fumble and Jones recovered in the end zone for a touchback. The Lobos built a 27-0 lead when quarterback Aaron Johnson had a 29-yard touchdown run on an option play with 1:53 remaining in the second quarter. Johnson had 115 total yards in the first half, including a 22-yard pass reception and finished with 151 total yards for the game, leaving the contest early in the third quarter. Longview had a 206-65 edge in total yards for the first half. Rayshone McGee led Longview with 113 yards passing, including a 24-yard touchdown strike to Carey Fortson in the third quarter, who had three receptions for 63 yards. Brown redeemed himself in the second half with an interception on a halfback option pass. Javoris Jordan also had a fumble recovery for Longview. Kyle Jenkins kicked five extra points and a 33-yard field goal. Kannon Carter led Mount Pleasant with 85 yards rushing on six carries, 83 yards in the second half. Jason Armstead had an interception for the Tigers while Oscar Sotos had two tackles for losses. Standout Mount Pleasant defensive lineman Roman Miller did not play. Miller suffered a knee injury against Pine Tree last week and was not in uniform on Friday. Longview hosts long-time rival Marshall next Friday while Mount Pleasant travels to Texas High. |