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LONGVIEW - Longview came from behind and then fought off a last minute Houston rally to post a thrilling, 16-13, victory over the visiting San Jacinto Bears at Lobo Stadium Friday night.
It was Longview's first win of the season, and the Lobos had to fight hard to grasp it. Longview's offense looked better in the game than it has all season. The Lobos gained 205 yards and picked up ten first downs in the first half. The Lobo ground attack finally came into its own in the first half as Don Petty, Hawk Clements and Harry Post all ground out yardage. Petty picked up 43 yards in 12 carries and Clements added ten yards in three carries. Post unreeled a 19-yard jaunt in his only carry of the first half. Myers' passing was exceptional as usual as the rifle arm signal caller connected on seven first half passes in nine attempts. Myers' aerials accounted for 87 first half yards. Clements once again was the top receiver. He hauled in five passes for 69 yards in the first half. Houston scored first in the contest when Bear quarterback Ronnie Reel uncorked a beautiful 68 yard run into pay dirt in the first quarter. Dave Reynolds booted the point after to give the visitors a 7-0 front position. Houston's tally was set up when a goal ward Longview drive was snuffed out on Houston's 30 yard mark by a Lobo fumble. Bobby Deaton recovered for San Jacinto and Reel's scoring run came two plays later. Longview was not to be denied, however, and the win-hungry Lobos roared back on the next series of plays to notch the go-ahead score. Longview, paced by four completed Myer's passes and a 16-yard run by Petty, drove 76 yards in 13 plays to earn the touchdown. Petty accounted for the six pointer on a four yard blast over right guard. Petty also ran over the points after to give Longview an 8-7 edge. In Petty's terrified 16-yard gainer, he literally ran out of his shoe, but the lack of one shoe didn't slow down the hard running fullback. Longview's score came in the opening seconds of the second quarter. The Lobos were also marching goal wards in the final seconds of the first half, but the intermission whistle found the Longview crew 24 yards shy of pay dirt. This drive also featured the passing of Myers as the airway artist completed two attempts for 38 yards. Bill Ewing paced the Lobo defensive efforts in the first half but Bobby Byrd and John Owens also were stand outs. Bad breaks came in bunches for Longview in the second half, and the first of these costly miscues came early and resulted in a Houston tally. A Longview drive was stalled and Myers dropped back to punt. A bad snap from center sailed over Myers' head, and his attempted boot was blocked by houston's Lee Erwin. Houston's John Alaniz, a tackle, caught the ball in the air and scooted 25 yards for a touchdown. The try for extra point was smothered by Longview's up-front unit, but Houston led 13-8. Longview finally broke the bad break jinx in the final five-and-a-half minutes of play to come up with what proved to be the victory touchdown. The touchdown climaxed a 43 yard drive which was sparked by two costly 15 yard penalties' against San Jacinto. One of the houston penalties, which eventually proved to be the one that gave the Lobos the boost which resulted in the tally, came against Houston's coach. Myers accounted for the tally on a one yard quarterback sneak up the middle. Petty, who played his best game to date, bulled over for the extra points and Longview had its 16-13 margin. The Lobos couldn't rest however, as the Bears growled loud and came back strong. Quarterback Reel sparked the Bears into moving 35 yards and was seriously threatening with time running out. Longview defensive halfback Dan McMahon came up with the clutch play when he intercepted a Reel pass on Longview's four yard line with one minute left in the game. Myers then ran out the clock with three quarterback sneaks, and the game was over. Longview's ground game slowed in the second half, but the Lobos still managed to gain 163 yards on the turf. Myers had another outstanding night from the gunner's position by connecting on 15 of 21 passes for 138 yards. Petty was the top running of the night for Longview by picking up 64 yards in 19 carries. Post gained 28 yards in four carries and Moreland Rock, who was playing in his first game of the year because of an early season injury, gained 17 yards on five carries. Clements was the top pass receiver. He caught several aerials for 88 yards. Ewing, Byrd, Coil, Bonnie Lipsey, David Kiergan, Owens and Don Petty were the leading defensive players for Longview. |