🐺 Longview Lobos football 2024 🏈

[Mr. P]

It goes without saying that the 2023 Lobo football season ended far, far earlier than anyone expected or wanted, and now that everyone's had time to vent, rant, argue, cope, and come to terms with it, let's start talking about 2024 and onward...

Because as we all know, it's never too early to start talking about the future of Lobo football. 

[LoboFan07]

On 11/25/2023 at 7:31 PM, Mavchamp said:

But what if seasons started looking more like (10-1), (9-2), (8-4).  A tougher non-district.... added with a tougher 6A district..... and then 2 deep and done type thing.  That would most definitely be mediocre by Lobo standards.  And not far from what we saw from Longview prior to King.

A tougher non district schedule is exactly what Longview fans have been begging for.

How is playing Marshall doing anything for us right? How has beating Tyler Legacy 51-15 on average the last 8 years helped us? Those games against Bryant and Denton Ryan, even getting beat down by Temple, were more memorable than almost any moment we've had against those two teams in the last 20+ years. The only memorable thing from the Marshall series was blowing that one in 2015 but passing the ball every second instead of running it when the Mavs literally couldn't stop us that night on the ground.

Going to 6A will be tougher just on depth overall, but it won't be any tougher than we've already been playing most years. We're two years removed from playing Highland Park for god sakes on district. It's pretty evident our district in 5A the last two years is been one of the best, if not the best depth wise, in 5A Division I as a whole. Nothing beats those first two years in 5A D1 back in 2020 and 2021 with Highland Park, Denton Ryan, Lancaster and College Station all in the same region as us. Especially with DeSoto potentially dropping.

End of the day, we've lost in the third round 3 of the last 4 years. Add in the 5th year, and we've lost in the Area Round, lost in the third round 3 years, and blew the best chance for a state title that we'll have for a couple years in the other year, after holding two score lead.

10 of the last 14 seasons have ended in the third round. Yes, some of those names include Austin Westlake and Denton Ryan. But I mean we're not far off this "2 deep and done type thing," already in all honesty. The only real difference between now and early 80s/90s is that Longview is consistently (literally every year) in the district championship race, and we haven't missed the post season in 20+ years. In the 80s, we were a threat to win district but we'd still have random off years. 90s, obviously the same thing. Obviously a deep run every couple years would show things off. 75, 86, 96, 97.

But overall, we're showing that same pattern. 07, 08, 09, 10 were the exception. 17 and 18 were just beyond special classes.

And yes I know I've broken down many scenarios where Longview should've had multiple titles, or at least in the title game.
2010 no brainer, 2011 we were better than that DeKaney team that won it all, 2015 we should've beaten Lake Ridge, 2017 we had Midway beat, 2022 obviously feel like we should've won it.

The same pattern in all of our playoff losses follows. Outside of Klein Collins, I honestly can't remember a game that King has won that we were truly not favorites to win recently. Bryant maybe, that team was beyond loaded and we were...not. Rockwall in 2017 can be thrown in there. Other than that? I dunno.

Like I said previously, he's not going anywhere. He's a great coach, just not elite. Longview has wasted so much talent these last two years, it's beyond frustrating to see all that and nothing to show for it.

Edited November 28, 2023 by LoboFan07

[LoboFan07]

Just wanted to restate, I'm never (well I won't say never, cause you know a time will come) going to be one to push King to leave.

Everything that's been said on this thread about him and how other programs would love for our success, and how he is the best coach that Longview has ever had...are true.

I've talked about it on the 6A board, I've talked about it in person. This year, to me, just felt completely off from the get go. The band Friday night, you could barely hear at all. The cheerleaders, literally did not move and cheer once. I don't even know why they're out there to be brutally honest. The penalties. My god. The penalties. It's been like this since the 2018 season. I don't know how you fix it but King's ability to coach an O line, sure is there...but you just continue to allow these kids to jump off with no punishment. I don't get it. The play calling...every year. Conservative when it matters most. Not trusting in the guy that led you there to take you home. Whether it was his own son in his sophomore year. Whether it was even Bivins back in the day. Whether it was Allen his senior year. Tutt in second halves. It's just, just mind boggling some of the decision making that goes on. Overall though, just the lulls in play through out the year showed us our true side. It looked like they turned a corner come playoff time, but end of day, Tatum showed just how much he meant to this team.

King, again, greatest coach we've had had. More than doubled every other coach in Lobo history in playoff wins.

His achievements though will always be marred by his defeats. Longview has 5 games in the playoffs where they've blown 10+ point leads, all of them under King's watch. The only one that we got lucky in to pull out was Lufkin 2017.

This was the largest playoff comeback against Longview since 2010. It's going to hurt people. The Guyer game is still talked about, especially being on kick away from going to State. This one isn't going away anytime soon. Especially with how resounding of a win that we had at their own stadium, with or without Tatum.

[JohnnyFootball]

Can't really disagree with anything LoboFan07 said. Thank you for the wonderful, nuanced take, as always!

[DB2point0]

10 hours ago, JohnnyFootball said:

Can't really disagree with anything LoboFan07 said. Thank you for the wonderful, nuanced take, as always!

Lots of folks have said the exact things, just don’t have Lobo in their screen name.  

[Quick]

11 hours ago, DB2point0 said:

Lots of folks have said the exact things, just don’t have Lobo in their screen name.  

[nacdragon07]

4 hours ago, Lion7000 said:

Let be fair he is a Nac fan. 
 

I am kidding Sorto and note: I realize Henderson is in the same paddle boat. 

that hurt my feelings lol i still stand by my statement. if a coach took over longview and failed to win the district championship after a few years fans would be calling for his head.

[JohnnyFootball]

4 minutes ago, nacdragon07 said:

that hurt my feelings lol i still stand by my statement. if a coach took over longview and failed to win the district championship after a few years fans would be calling for his head.

I'd still love to hear what people think of Samples at Duncanville. Really wish I coud've seen what they thought before he finally won a title. 

[nacdragon07]

1 minute ago, JohnnyFootball said:

I'd still love to hear what people think of Samples at Duncanville. Really wish I coud've seen what they thought before he finally won a title. 

the knock on Samples was  Great Coach but couldn't win the big one.

[Lion7000]

15 minutes ago, nacdragon07 said:

that hurt my feelings lol i still stand by my statement. if a coach took over longview and failed to win the district championship after a few years fans would be calling for his head.

Of course it would. Take our programs would we elevated to that position. Possibly. I personally would love that kinda of record . Sometimes you don’t appreciate something until it is gone. 

[Lion7000]

14 minutes ago, JohnnyFootball said:

I'd still love to hear what people think of Samples at Duncanville. Really wish I coud've seen what they thought before he finally won a title. 

You can’t deny his success. Take a special guy to establish a winning culture. He has the most heartbreaking losses but stood in front of arguably one of the most successful teams. North shore and lost a heartbreaker as Lincoln head coach to a punt return against Kilgore. Coaching through adversity . I was ecstatic when King flirted with us even if wasn’t meant to be. I have no doubt Henderson would be a Carthage or Gilmer had he switched jobs. Longview was his opportunity for success. 

[ANTI]

4 minutes ago, nacdragon07 said:

the knock on Samples was  Great Coach but couldn't win the big one.

BUT then he made a solid move.

Hired Todd Peterman (won state at Desoto as HC) as OC and that was the little adjustment needed to get DV that extra push. 

Seeing someone other than Coach King as HC at Longview....I'm not quite there with it but I'm all for getting an OC in here and giving him total control. Val can continue working with QBs, Coach King could continue being heavily involved with OL, running game and overlooking the team but all play calling and personnel management duties....bring in an OC for that. 

[JohnnyFootball]

1 hour ago, ANTI said:

BUT then he made a solid move.

Hired Todd Peterman (won state at Desoto as HC) as OC and that was the little adjustment needed to get DV that extra push. 

Seeing someone other than Coach King as HC at Longview....I'm not quite there with it but I'm all for getting an OC in here and giving him total control. Val can continue working with QBs, Coach King could continue being heavily involved with OL, running game and overlooking the team but all play calling and personnel management duties....bring in an OC for that. 

Right on. 

[ANTI]

1 minute ago, JohnnyFootball said:

Right on. 

Jon Writt did a pretty good job at Yates this year. May be time to come back home....

[JohnnyFootball]

15 minutes ago, ANTI said:

Jon Writt did a pretty good job at Yates this year. May be time to come back home....

So he’s a coach now? That’s awesome. He was a killer DB back in the day. 

[Mr. P]

15 minutes ago, ANTI said:

Jon Writt did a pretty good job at Yates this year. May be time to come back home....

I think the world of Coach Writt. He is a tremendous asset to any staff. Having him back on the Lobos' sidelines would be excellent. 

[JohnnyFootball]

15 minutes ago, Mr. P said:

I think the world of Coach Writt. He is a tremendous asset to any staff. Having him back on the Lobos' sidelines would be excellent. 

I hear Richard Day is trying to get him on staff. 

[ANTI]

15 minutes ago, JohnnyFootball said:

So he’s a coach now? That’s awesome. He was a killer DB back in the day. 

Woah, we gotta catch you up real quick lol

He's in his first year as OC at Yates. They went 8-3 this year. Best season for Yates since 2010.

Before that though, he was WRs coach for Longview. I'm pretty sure that all Lobo receiving records are held by Writt coached WRs. He was also responsible for signaling in our plays when we moved away from QBs running to the sidelines after every play last year....

Like you said, he was a killer DB for Longview back in 2006-2007.

Tremendous football mind.

[ANTI]

22 minutes ago, Mr. P said:

I think the world of Coach Writt. He is a tremendous asset to any staff. Having him back on the Lobos' sidelines would be excellent. 

Yep. 

[JohnnyFootball]

4 minutes ago, ANTI said:

Woah, we gotta catch you up real quick lol

He's in his first year as OC at Yates. They went 8-3 this year. Best season for Yates since 2010.

Before that though, he was WRs coach for Longview. I'm pretty sure that all Lobo receiving records are held by Writt coached WRs. He was also responsible for signaling in our plays when we moved away from QBs running to the sidelines after every play last year....

Like you said, he was a killer DB for Longview back in 2006-2007.

Tremendous football mind.

It's weird- I totally remember him on the sidelines at Longview during the state championship year. Dunno why I had forgotten that. Thanks for the intel. So awesome to see former players work their way up the ranks. 

[ANTI]

3 minutes ago, JohnnyFootball said:

It's weird- I totally remember him on the sidelines at Longview during the state championship year. Dunno why I had forgotten that. Thanks for the intel. So awesome to see former players work their way up the ranks. 

Jon Writt (OC) at Yates (8-3)...

Gordon Booker (DC) at North Forney (9-3)...

Lee Jackson coaching safeties at Legacy...

Malcolm Kelly still coaching WRs at TCU...

Several that are coaching in Longview ISD in some capacity. Spencer Borens, Addison McGee (his son is going to be a national recruit at RB btw), Darron Sheppard to name a few. 

[JohnnyFootball]

32 minutes ago, ANTI said:

Jon Writt (OC) at Yates (8-3)...

Gordon Booker (DC) at North Forney (9-3)...

Lee Jackson coaching safeties at Legacy...

Malcolm Kelly still coaching WRs at TCU...

Several that are coaching in Longview ISD in some capacity. Spencer Borens, Addison McGee (his son is going to be a national recruit at RB btw), Darron Sheppard to name a few. 

When you say Gordon Booker is DC, do you mean he’s defensive coordinator? Cause DC was his nickname back in the day too lol!!!

[ANTI]

24 minutes ago, JohnnyFootball said:

When you say Gordon Booker is DC, do you mean he’s defensive coordinator? Cause DC was his nickname back in the day too lol!!!

Full blown defensive coordinator lol

[Mr. P]

[AledoAlumni]

I've watched a fair number of Longview games these past two seasons. I've enjoyed the broadcast and the play by play guy is one of the best I've heard. Honestly wished he did our games. I know both seasons did not end like the players and fans were hoping but these two seasons have been successful. Yall have been extremely dominate and have played some of the best defense I've seen in 5A in a long time. Yall have had extremely talented kids make some awesome plays that I think yall will look back on in a positive light. I'd love for yall to throw a preseason game invite our way. I felt before I started following yall that yall are one of the iconic programs in Txhsfb and to me yall are the face of bEAST Tx football. Good luck moving forward!