John Tyler Rewind: Lions snap Lobos district home win streak

Published 10:49 pm Saturday, October 22, 2016

Final score: John Tyler 38, Longview 24

Quotable: “It’s Important. It’s important for a district championship, it’s important for 11-6A football, it’s important for this whole district. Coming out here in Longview in this environment is tough because their fans are going to come here and they’re loud and proud and they’re going to let you know this is Lobo Nation. We knew this was going to be tough because (Longview) coach (John) King is always going to have his guys ready. We knew coming in here that we were going to have to match their physicality and we were going to have to make a little bit more plays than they did.” – John Tyler coach Ricklan Holmes.

Turning point: With JT leading 21-10 late in the first half, Longview drove down to the Lions 2. However the Lobos fumbled the snap and Howard Hawkins recovered the fumble for the Lions, allowing JT to maintain its 11-point lead at the break.

The game was over when: After giving up a touchdown to Longview on the first series of the second half, JT allowed 28 yards and two first downs on the Lobos’ next three series. That allowed Cameron Grant and Martrevious Allison to score rushing touchdowns, the second putting the Lions up 38-17 with 2:58 left.

Key stats: The Lions converted 10 of 15 third downs and three of their five touchdowns were scored on third down. The Lobos converted 1 of 7 third downs. During district play, JT is averaging 26.4 first downs per game during District 11-6A play, consistently moving the chains in every game.

Warning signs: John Tyler allowed 7.2 yards per play. Only Rockwall (7.7) averaged more yards per play, though if you take away Longview’s ultimately meaningless 71-yard touchdown late in the game, that number dropped to 5.9.

Positive signs: The Lions had a season-low five penalties for 45 yards, though they did have a Bryson Smith touchdown run called back for a holding flag. JT also went through a game without a turnover for the second time in eight games this year. And then there’s the defense, which for the second straight week held a dominant rushing team in check, limiting Longview to half its normal rushing output.

What this win means: John Tyler is in the driver’s seat for the District 11-6A title, though it’s nowhere near wrapped up with two games remaining. The Lions and Lobos are tied at 4-1 but JT has the head-to-head advantage for the top seed in the Class 6A Division II playoffs and a home playoff game in the first round. However one slipup could give Longview an outright title and possibly send JT to Beaumont for the first round. There are also three teams tied at 3-2 still in the hunt.

Fast forward: John Tyler hosts Mesquite Horn on Senior Night on Earl Campbell Field next week. The Jaguars, who have the league’s top scoring offense, are among the 3-2 teams and could move up to second place with a win over the Lions. JT’s final game is against rival Robert E. Lee, which would love nothing more than to spoil its rival’s title shot.

– Travis Yoesting