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| TYLER - Robert E. Lee played giant-killer for the second straight week as quarterback Matt Flynn scored three touchdowns to lead the Red Raiders to a 28-21 win over Longview Friday night at Rose Stadium.
The loss was the first for the No. 4 state-ranked Lobos as they fell to 1-1 in District 11-5A, and 5-1 overall. The win improves Lee to 2-0 and alone in first place in league play, and 4-2 for the season. The previous week, the Red Raiders had knocked off then-No. 1 ranked Lufkin, 21-14. Longview led early in the game at 7-0 and 10-7. In the second half, the Red Raiders jumped out to a 21-10 lead as the Lobos had to fight from behind. They did tie the game at 21-21 on a short-yardage touchdown carry by Fred Hawkins and Jerrell Williams subsequent two-point conversion, and Alex Cammack's second field goal of the game to start the fourth quarter. But Flynn took the Red Raiders on a 78-yard, 14-play drive, and then the 6-4 senior snuck across to put what proved to be the decisive points on the scoreboard as Lee led 28-21 with 4:19 remaining. The Lobos did march into Lee territory, getting runs of 17 and 14 yards from Williams. However, they got bottled up at the 25, and on fourth-and-three Joel Armstrong couldn't escape the rush and was sacked. The Red Raiders have now beaten the Lobos five straight times, dating back to 1998. It was also the fifth consecutive loss at Rose Stadium for Longview. The Lobos and Lee will meet again on Nov. 1 in Longview. Flynn, who is second in the district in passing with nearly 700 yards, put the ball on his hip against Longview, picking up 126 yards on 11 carries, in addition to scoring on runs of 52, 1- and 1-yard. Fullback Keondra Smith also went over 100 yards with 148 on 22 carries, and scored once on a 2-yard carry. Longview ground out 248 yards, getting 101 from Hawkins on 17 carries, while Williams picked up 92, the bulk of it coming in the second half. Tight end Tate Casey also had a big night by hauling in three receptions for 73 yards, once to convert a fourth down and the other on third-and-10 from the Lee 19, setting up the Lobos' second touchdown of the game late in the third quarter. However, Armstrong was just 4 of 14 for 80 yards passing. Running the football, he gained 36 yards on 15 carries. Longview turned three Lee turnovers into 13 points. An inception by Marcus Maxey led to Cammack's second field goal with 11:35 to play in the fourth quarter. Both of the senior's boots, his second and third of the season, were from the same distance. Flynn fumbled on his first carry of the game, but came back to score a touchdown on a long run and set up another as the Red Raiders held a 14-10 lead at halftime. He led all rushers with 101 yards on six carries. The Lobos had a chance to take the lead into the dressing room, but turned the ball over on first-and-goal at the Lee three-yard line. Longview had set up in the red zone following a 32-yard reception by Casey from Armstrong on fourth down at the 35. Armstrong completed just three passes in the first half, with two going to Casey for 63 yards. It was a pair of Lee turnovers that led to all 10 of Longview's points. Flynn's fumble after a 22-yard gain on the Red Raiders' first play from scrimmage was recovered by LaRandall McKind at the Lobo 40. Longview then marched 40 yards in 10 plays, getting a 24-yard carry from Hawkins into Lee territory, and Armstrong ran a bootleg for 17 yards to the 1. Armstrong then broke the plane of the goal line for the touchdown. However, Lee came right back as Smith took the ensuing kickoff 45 yards to near midfield. Flynn then rumbled 52 yards, getting a key block downfield by Jamaal Shurme to spring him into the end zone, tying the contest. The Red Raiders had the Lobos pinned deep in their territory as Armstrong avoided a safety as Justin Warren sacked him at the 1. Forced to punt from the back of the end zone, McKind lifted a 29-yard punt to the 30. But Lee turned the ball right back over as Ross lost the handle and Olujuwon Webb-Hill recovered for the Lobos at their own 32. A 31-yard Armstrong to Casey pass quickly moved the ball into Lee territory. The eight-play drive would reach the 9 before Cammack was called upon and he booted a 25-yard field goal for a 10-7 lead with 5:56 showing in the second quarter. Again, the Red Raiders kept the ball on the ground. Smith picked up 49 yards to the Lobo 25, and Flynn gave them a first-and-goal at the 8. Two plays later, Smith ran untouched into the end zone as Lee moved on top for the first time at 14-10. |