PackAttack

Well, if true, I wish him the best at his next endeavor.

Even at my age, I'm in a lot better shape than Mr. Cook.

Yea, let the season come on. However, I'm no longer in the wondering WHY something is or isn't done mode any longer. I've seen it all and played it all, nothing surprises me. I just want to see football and every sports program on campus doing everything possible to win titles. Whatever it takes, to go as far as possible with the kids you have playing. I've never been one for moral victories or giving congratulations on a 4-6 season. I wasn't brought up that way or taught that way. Even today as an old man, IF I get you on a BB court, I'll do my very best to beat your ass, not that I can. Whatever happens, I'll shake your hand afterwards and we'll go get a hamburger at Ray's. I don't like to lose. I don't like to see Panther football lose.

Lufkin was State of the Art back in 2005, with their brand new indoor workout facility. Not many schools our size had one of those back then, thanks to John Outlaw and efforts by the Lufkin Sideliners with Coca Cola. It's sort of outdated now, although there are still tons of schools today that don't have an indoor. Much in Texas HS football has changed in the State since Outlaw passed on, much has stayed the same in Lufkin football. Of course past Panther football success of 20 years ago have little bearing on today. Our community is about the same size as 2005, lots of big industry has gone in that time, the high school is about the same size as 2005. Other school districts we play against have grown and expanded, we hardly play our district opponents more than 2-4 year before we get moved around and into another set of new district opponents. IMO we have not done a great job of keeping up the past 4 years. Many have said it's a lack of talent, some say it's coaching, some blame the school board. I think it's a combination of all three. It's more than track times or powerlifting numbers. Texas HS football has evolved in the last 10-15 years, there is no doubt in my mind Lufkin has some catching up to do, and with this talked about talent coming on board, the leadership of this Lufkin football program has a lot still to prove.

Although we had 1st place finishers, 13 lifters are not many for a 5A school and not the majority of the football team. I'm just going to choose to not read too much into this, for several reasons.

There has to have been more circumstances to this, for a 3A to beat a 5A in powerlifting.

Central beat Lufkin in Powerlifting????

Coach Green is your Track coach.

Don't have a track topic so might as well talk about it here. A strong contingent of track teams converged on John Outlaw Memorial Field at Abe Martin Stadium with the Longview Lobos and Lady Lobos winning the meet, followed by the Panthers and Lady Panthers. Longview had enough to outlast Lufkin in the boys team division, outscoring the Panthers 181-159. The Lady Lobos outdistanced Lufkin on the girls side by a total of 206-120. Hudson was third with 119 points. Evan Young was stellar for the Lufkin boys as he raced to championships in the 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles. Grant Ashby took the title in the 800-meter run with Omarion Scott racing to the 400-meter championship. The Panthers’ 1,600-meter relay team of Scott, Mike Mosley, Ashby and Alec Forney coasted to the championship. Mosley also took first place in the long jump. https://lufkindailynews.com/sports/high_school/longview-clips-lufkin-in-ross-relays/article_c947c390-f32c-5402-b3b0-ec2cb7727cd6.html On the girls side, Mattie Nicholson won a tight 100-meter race over Longview’s Aniah Stansell. Lufkin’s Roxanna Riojas won the 400-meter dash. Varsity boys Scoring Team 1. Longview, 181; 2. Lufkin, 159; 3. Carthage, 95; 4. Hudson, 94; 5. Center, 50; 6. Crockett, 32. Varsity Girls scoring Team 1. Longview, 206; 2. Lufkin 120; 3. Hudson, 119; 4. Carthage, 100; 5. Center, 66.

Might as well talk about a little football. Spring football practice is a month away and there seems to be an heightened thought of expectation for this 2023 group. Many who have been speaking to this end the past two years say this is just the beginning for this group, that there will be improvements that will get even better for 2024 and 2025. We know who is returning from the 2023 team, DI players like RB Kedren Young, S Isaiah Menefee and DT Zion Williams. Possibly more on the way. QB position with T J Hammond returning is set. We do not know if there will be a competition there or not, whether Gavin Phillips will still play the QB position, or with his size, be moved to another position. Guess we will see several things with Spring practice. As always, I want to see each player put in the best position to make the Panther team the most successful. You guys know I have some reservations in some areas of the program, hopefully the talent will supersede what they are given to be successful. To be honest, I'm looking forward to seeing what evolves.

Don't know, probably nothing going on.

Lufkin had a good outing up in Nacogdoches. https://tx.milesplit.com/meets/523964-dragon-relays-2023/results

This has been a strange time for me, usually I'm putting together future expectations for 2023. You probably notice that hasn't happened. We all know there are several highly touted guys coming back, we have been reminded of the addition of the JV group, the remains of the undefeated 2021 Freshman group, who had 6 shutouts, so many have anticipated these kids coming to the Varsity. I have taken the wait and see approach for various reasons, realizing the potential of this talent. Also may need more input from those in the know who know these kids and the positions where they will contribute. We are roughly 7 weeks from Spring work outs and 6 months from finding out what the team will look like for 2023. I'm fully convinced better days are ahead, just how much is the wait and see for me, and probably lots of other folks.

There are not any staff moves that we are aware happening. If there are any, they would probably happen after the current school year.

Ryan Soderquist @CoachSoderquist - "Character over Talent is growing! We have great kids!!"

DT JR Zion Williams at 6’4, 305, size 18 shoes, Williams holds big offers from Texas, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech. There’ll be more.

Sad day for Panther Nation as long time athletic secretary Ms Jennifer Galloway passed away last evening. She ran the show for many years starting back when John Outlaw was AD/HC and continued with AD/HC Todd Quick afterward. Jennifer was a huge part of our Panther Family. Thoughts and prayers are with her family.

We have talked about QB T J Hammond and his full healing from his injury in the Lancaster game. This is his highlight reel from the past couple of year, looking to 2023 as a senior player. https://www.facebook.com/JAMdigitalproductions/videos/565388628925735/ If you notice, T J is getting hit in at least 50% of those highlight passes. You can imagine what it was like on those plays that were not considered for the highlight reel. If T.J. has a better OL in 2023 he will have greater success than last year. I don't know who #57 was last year, but he had a tough time in this video.

There are situations that exist no one can do anything about and we have discussed that to death, so I will not mention that very much in the future. We have talked about them for years. The groups that are moving up through the Varsity program onward toward 2025 should provide Lufkin the talent and ability to not miss the playoffs the next few years and possibly have some playoff games. You have to like what you saw from the sophomore and junior group on Varsity last season and the talent that was on the JV and Freshman squads. I know several folks like PurpleNation and Pack007 are excited about this group, as is Todd Quick. He has expressed his excitement to that end several times in the last year or two, the coaching staff fully understands what they have and what will be coming into the Varsity program. Better times ahead.

https://www.facebook.com/98152175409/posts/pfbid0RxgDXTx5T53MgTjpWcGZ2AM8xNJDc44iRKpXAefwUpgkFXyVcNW3wQRstqUQ5Addl/?mibextid=Nif5oz Melissa is growing like Frisco. SMH on these nice stadiums popping up and we still have a cracker box for a Press Box. Hope Lufkin can rectify that situation soon, the rest I can live with for now.

The only thing different in the video is Quick looks older than 4 years ago. That happens to all of us. I know he says many of the same things, all coaches do. There is just so much vernacular you can use talking about football. I do believe this year will be better than the last two. The talent will be there no doubt. So, we will just have to see how everything turns out. I expect Young to have another outstanding year running the ball. The defense will be better and return many starters, so those are all positives to look for from these kids in the next couple of years.

https://www.ktre.com/2023/02/07/lufkin-football-coach-pleased-with-younger-players-off-season/ Coach Quick says the young guys are stepping up to lead in the off season and they are ready to get to Spring ball this year. Expressed the kids are having a great off season and "are getting bigger, stronger and faster".

A tough video to watch: Forney was obviously the more physical team that night. Forney will be a force again in the district this season, they are a well coached program on the rise, they will be a good challenge for Lufkin at home in 2023.

Thank you. TCU was a close 2nd. I would had loved to see the Longhorns myself but Houston made him a priority. Going to be fun. Cam Lister signed with Henderson St. As for the up and comers they will have a few more down the road. Congrats to Mikal. I wish him all the best moving forward. UH got a good one Appreciate it. If he plays as good as a kid he is. He is going to show out.

We embark on another year of football will many promises for improvement and getting back to the playoffs after a two year absence for the Panthers. Many here, including myself, have discussed for two years now the up and coming talent from the freshman and sophomore ranks. Some of this we witnessed in 2022 although the team still finished 6-4 and out of the playoffs. There are even more expectations from this group in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Of course that is yet to be seen, and our hope is this talent will prove out to be the outstanding group we all expect them to be the next few years.. 2023 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE - ALL Friday games: Aug 18th - Huntsville @ Huntsville ISD Stadium - SCRIMMAGE Aug 25th - Tyler Legacy @ Abe Martin Stadium - 7:30 PM Sept 1st - Nacogdoches @ Dragon Stadium - 7:30 PM Sept 8th - A&M Consolidated @ Abe Martin Stadium - 7:30 PM Sept 15th - Longview @ Lobo Stadium - 7:30 PM Sept 22nd - Forney @ Abe Martin Stadium - 7:30 PM Sept 29th - OPEN WEEK Oct 6th - North Mesquite @ Mesquite Memorial Stadium - 7:00 PM Oct 13th - McKinney North @ Abe Martin Stadium - 7:30 PM Oct 20th - Tyler High @ Christus TMF Rose Stadium - 7:00 PM Oct 27th - West Mesquite @ Abe Martin Stadium - 7:30 PM Nov 3rd - Lancaster @ Beverly D. Humphrey Tiger Stadium - 7:30 PM