timeout!

10 hours ago, PackAttack said:

There is no doubt this 2024 team is loaded. In all honesty they shouldn't lose a single game on the schedule with 48 Seniors and all that talent. We all realize that's the way it should be around here this year.  However, this program has missed the playoffs three straight years, in fact they haven't made any noise in the playoffs to remember since 2017.

So how are we to view this year? With 48 seniors, what is there left for the 2025 team?  Quick has not built much of a playoff contending program here in Lufkin.  You could probably take a group of ex-Panther players around town and they could probably coach these 2024 guys to the 3rd round without a problem.  Let's be honest.  Guess I'm in a place of little faith and want to see it really happen, not just hear or talk about it.  There should be zero excuses for success this year. 

The defense should be really good. I know the secondary had some lapses last year. But I like the potential of that unit. I would like the defense more, if they can figure out a way to play Alexander and Zion at the same time. Skill positions has more than enough to get it done, as long as Green puts them in a position to do so.

Unfortunately, I feel like we are a year behind. Which is a bit disappointing when you think about how much talent this group has. I would feel a bit more confident, had we been able to squeeze out a few playoff games the last two years. That's what drives up and coming teams forward. You take that playoff experience from the previous year to help set up the next. I can see us getting back into the playoffs this year. Just wish we could've done last year, and looked to build on that this year.

I agree about Johnson at Qb. Kid has a ton of potential, but very limited varsity experience. He'll have to spend a portion of the year getting his feet wet as the starter. Wish he could've taken the majority of those lumps last year. I could be wrong about this one way or another. But I think this year is the year we play Longview close. I won't go as far as to say win. Quick and Green have done nothing to indicate they have any idea on how to beat Longview. I think a close game could give the kids confidence moving forward.

On 4/27/2024 at 9:47 AM, PackAttack said:

 

Ja'Lynn Polk - (Texas Tech, University of Washington) drafted by New England, joins and elite group of players from Lufkin who played in the NFL

Dez Bryant - Oklahoma St -(Dallas Cowboys 2010-2017, New Orleans 2018, Baltimore Ravens 2020)

Keke Coutee - Texas Tech - (Houston Texans 2018-2020, Indianapolis Colts 2021-2022, New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins 2023, DC Defenders 2024)

Rex Hadnot - U of H - (Miami 2004-2007, Cleveland 2009-2009, Arizona 2010-2011, San Diego 2012)

Sparky Hamilton - Arkansas- (Dallas Desperados 2004, Green Bay 2005 * )

Terrance Kiel - Texas A&M - San Diego chargers (2003-2006)

Reggie McNeal - QB Texas A&M - (WR  Cincinnati Bengals 2006, Toronto Argonauts 2007-2010, Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Eskimos 2011)

Don Mulhbach - Texas A&M - ( Drafted Baltimore 2004, Center Detroit Lions  2004-2020,  Special Assistant to Detroit Team President, 2021- present)

Anthony Coleman -  Baylor  (Dallas) 1987

Everett Little - U of H (Tampa Bay) 1976)

Jorvorskie Lane - Texas A&M ( West Texas Roughnecks  2010, Orlando Predators 2011, Miami Dolphins 2012-2013, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2014-2015) 

Jacoby Shepard  - Oklahoma State - (St Louis 2000-2001, Houston Texans, Green Bay 2002, New York and Detroit 2003, Oakland 2004, Edmonton Eskimos, Calgary Stampeders 2005, Dallas Desperados - Utah Blaze 2006-2007, Georgia Force 2008)

Carrington Byndom - Texas (Carolina 2014 -2015, San Diego, Arizona and Baltimore 2015-2016)

Bruce Alexander - SFA (Detroit !989-1991 and Miami 1992-1993) 

Bryan Gilmore - Midwestern State - (Arizona 2000-2004, Miami 2004-2005, San Francisco 2006-2007, Seattle 2008) 

Denvis Manns - West Texas State - Manns attended the Dallas  training camps in both 1999 and 2001 as a free agent. He played in NFL Europe for Barcelona in 2000 and Frankfurt in 2001.

Joe Robb - TCU - (Philadelphia Eagles 1959-1960, St Louis Cardinals 1961-1967, Detroit Lions 1968-1971) 

T J Turner - U of H - (Miami Dolphins) 1986-1992

Benny Barnes - Stanford (Dallas Cowboys 1972-1982) Barnes was only born in Lufkin, did not play in Lufkin.

Jadarian Taylor - UTEP - (XFL Winnipeg Blue Bombers 2023)

Erick McCoy - Texas A&M (New Orleans) 2019 - present (2024)

Ken Houston - U of H (Washington Redskins 1973-1980 - Houston Oilers 1967-1972) 

Jeffery Rogers - Trinity Valley - Texas A&M - Kingsville ( Tampa Bay 1995, NY Giants 1996)

Did I miss anyone?

 

 

Former Lufkin and University of Houston OL spent time in Jets/Redskins camp. I don't believe he ever made the active roster. And former Lufkin and UTEP DL spent time in Seattle camp. 

https://www.lufkinisd.org/2023/10/18/lhs-alumni-former-nfl-player-speaks-to-lms-staff-and-students-on-believing-in-your-dreams/

Fun fact some of you may know or have forgotten. Former KC Chiefs return man Dante "The Human Joystick" Hall was born here in Lufkin. And attended school here up through elementary, before moving to Houston area. 

15 hours ago, PurpleNation said:

Coach Quick kicked one of his best players off the team a few years ago. I don't think they have a discipline problem. Kids have been punished and kicked off the team under Quick. Id blame the parents before I blame the coaches or school officials.

Unfortunately there are still false narratives about the players here. Of course we have few knuckle heads. But that goes for most programs. I know a lot of the players that come up here. The vast majority have been high quality kids under Quick. Menefee, Kedren, Zion, are all great kids. Along with many others that played this year. Bug Thompson, Breylan Garcia, Big Carl, Jaylon Polk were also great kids. Those guys handled their business in and outside the room. It's one of the things that is so frustrating to watch. We have had some of the most coachable kids you could ask for. Yet we have little to show for it.

I'm old enough to remember when Lufkin dreaded the idea of being in a Beaumont district. Being in thrown into a Dallas district really changes your perspective on things. 

Does Port Author have a new stadium? I remember them charges us money for that busted up parking lot last time we played there. Had to be around 05 or 06 back when Dez was playing. Do look forward to playing them next season. Not on Longview level, but they have a good program going right now. Could be a decent rival the next couple of years. Does Westbrook have anything coming back? I remember playing a classic at ABE against them a while back. Thing both teams put up close to 70 points. lol

50 minutes ago, LufkinPack said:

Our basketball team really ain’t that good. Only against average opponents or very bad opponents have we looked like a winning team. Maybe it’s the youth idk. 

This was good season for them. Considering what all they lost from last year. One BIG issue is adjusting to the play of those DFW area teams come playoffs. They play aggressive and apply pressure most of the game. You have to have solid guard play when you play them. Thats what done us in against Red Oak last year, and again this year. Tonight was a winnable game. Missed free throws and turnovers killed us. Along with inability to slow down their guards. Plus AB had an off night shooting. Crandall didn't allow him anything tonight. McManus did all he could with front loading the team with a hard schedule.

I think they came in more prepared this year than last, because of it. But still not enough to get over the hump. Lufkin only losses a couple of seniors(Blake and Harrell)so everyone else will be back. Hopefully the experience will help next year. Also want to give a shout out to Parks. He really took a step forward this year. He needs to continue be aggressive. 

Lufkin has to hit free throws. Turnovers not helping.

On 2/4/2024 at 10:46 PM, PackAttack said:

PN, it's never been about the kids or the talent with me, or the togetherness of the kids.  You know where my disapproval is centered. Have zero confidence in our OC and OLC philosophy. 

Bingo! 

I agree about the talent on defense. But I feel like we are a year behind. I think last year or the one before, should've been the breakthrough year for a few playoff wins. That experience from the extra games help carry over to the next year. You rarely see program go from a 3 year playoff drought to a run the first year back. Those things usually have a progression to them. Teams chip away at it, until they finally break through. I don't see Lufkin catching fire all of the sudden with the same staff and philosophies. The wild cards are Johnson at Qb and the O-line. Johnson could be special if he everything lines up for him this year. 

6 hours ago, PurpleNation said:

I'm not worried about it. Once Lufkin makes the case it won't matter how they voted. Unless the UIL doesn't care about the kids. Lufkin is going to be 9-5A when it's all said and done. 

Think UIL has already proved that. The last two realignments. We wouldn't be in this position if they did.

Just now, Pack13 said:

The problem with this is. If a team feels like Lufkin will take a playoff spot. They will most likely have a “no” vote 

Well that won't be an issue. 😂

Seriously, does anyone know what the time table is for a decision?

16 minutes ago, Pack007 said:

Matt stepp just posted on twitter that he’s heard rumblings that we petition to be moved to 9-5A D1. Might not be true though…

 

 

 

Does that mean members of 9-5A would have to vote to allow us in?

Jerrin Thompson will be transferring to Auburn next season and begin grad school. While he finishes out his football career. Wish him the best. 

1 hour ago, PackAttack said:

Good to see Ja'Lynn Polk and Jerrin Thompson play Monday night. Polk got the better end of the game and success. Although ESPN made note of Polk playing at Lufkin, they never made the connection that both Thompson and Polk both play at Lufkin at the same time.

Thought the ESPN crew did a less than credible job in that area. 

Just thought again how these kids come through Lufkin, they have no State contending experiences, then they excel so well at the college level. Better coaching that knows how to develope and excel their full talent.

Polk is really leaving his mark with Washigton.

Enjoyed watching them square off. It was funny to hear them mention Lufkin as being a great football program. They did mention Dez and Jorvorskie Lane, and I think one other former player. I think Polk has done enough to get a look in the NFL. I hope Jerrin gets an opportunity too.

1 hour ago, PackAttack said:

A little late news. The Lufkin boys won last night 60-52 over Friendswood to move to 12-11 on the year. The Pack will play Jacksonville at PAC on Friday @ 7 PM.

That should be a good one. Think I'll try to check that one out.

56 minutes ago, PackAttack said:

Lufkin fell to Richardson 67-59 in the first round of the Allen Holiday Invitational on Wednesday. The Panthers (9-10), playing in the tournament’s Gold Bracket, will face Cibolo Steele at 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

Thanks for the update. It's been an uphill battle most of the year. Playing quality programs will only help down the road. 

10 hours ago, PackAttack said:

Wallace just need to be in a place where he is most successful and safe as a person, and as an athlete, if that is the road he chooses to remain. 

Lufkin does offer more than people say, more than enough if you want really to look for it. it's just like any city, you can make good and bad choices for friends, family or jobs wherever you live.  Plus we are a stones throw away from the Houston-Conroe - Tyler Metros to have more to do if you want, then easily return to our country style living. I know, I've done it. Most of OUR CHOICES are on us the individual, to make your life wherever it may be.  If people or family are a bad influence on me, I stay away, I make friends with folks who are a better influence on my life. If you have the right education and right experience, there are good paying jobs in the Lufkin area, there are just not a plethora of them.  There are many well to do people in this City and County. I grew up here, lived the bulk of my life here. Had a great income paying career and rewarding life here in Lufkin, always made the attempt to chose my associations wisely.  You can't win them all though.

Folks can get in just as much trouble down in Conroe-The Woodlands or up in Tyler-Longview as you can right here in Lufkin, if people don't choose their associations wisely. You only have one life, you can't make it hanging around folks who influence you poorly, and that may include some family.

I hear the hanging around the wrong friends and influences quote a bunch, well 80% of the time, that is a persons choice, there are always some avenue, even if it's just one opportunity to not pursue that route.  I've made many of those difficult decisions in my life with friends, and family!!  I've been in some dangerous and precarious places and situations earlier in my life, so I have a clear understanding that certain things put upon a person's life are totally not in their control. It's a miracle I'm still here at all. Some of those events are hard to put into words, and some critical encounters need to be forgotten forever.  Just saying from my perspective, in most of these hanging around the wrong crowd cases,  it's a persons own decision to stay or walk away from those bad influences, there is always at least one choice to walk away from it. Wallace did that, but in his case had to leave the bad influences that existed in Lufkin for a better situation down in The Woodlands.  Not always that easy for most.

Well said PA. I want to clarify my comment about Lufkin has nothing to offer.  It was only directed toward the current state of the football program and not the city itself. 

On 12/22/2023 at 2:46 PM, mr. b said:

Wallace seems to have found his spot in 6a in Houston.  2nd team all district running back as a sophomore.  All district academic team.  Can’t see them messing with success to come back to LP.  

This is pretty much how I see it. I don't know his family situation, other than he was running with the wrong crowd here. He's doing well in and outside of the classroom. No need to comeback here and be around the same people your parents wanted you away from. Plus Lufkin has nothing to offer. It would be different if the football program was on the upswing. Why comeback in the midst of a 3 year playoff drought? And there's no guarantee Green will utilize him correctly.We assume Green will give the kid the ball. But that makes too much sense, so why risk it?

3 hours ago, PurpleNation said:

Mater Dei, IMG and Miami Central are probably the only teams in America that could beat DeSoto.

There's a lot of great teams in the country. Including those you named just above. I think it's hard to make a comparison for the entire country. I would take the field vs Desoto if I had too. And thats not taking anything away from how good they are. Definitely the best in TX this year and would hold their own against a lot of programs. 

Is Bally Sports the only way to watch the championship games?

10 hours ago, PackAttack said:

I played ball many years, there is nothing to breaking a press if you just work on it a little bit. We use to break presses in HS and college, many times never putting the ball on the floor.

I don't think they practice it much, since they rarely implore it.  When I played during the coach Walker days. We would go up against varsity and each other versus the press. I could be wrong and they do practice it.  But just struggle against it for whatever reason. Lufkin lost a game last year against A&M consolidated because of press issues late. And struggled against several other teams because of it.

I do believe the harder competition will have them prepared for it down the road. Also think some of it can be the bump in speed and quickness some teams have. Lufkin usually has an advantage in that department. That gap closes or is at a deficit against the better teams.

I would love to see CJ Burse moved up as an extra rotational guy. And Lufkin just go all out on playing small ball offense. Outside of Gavin playing bully ball against smaller players. There is nothing in the post game, and I cringe every time they try to post up down low. The guards usually ignore it unless Brown has been motioned to the box. Just not much there this year. 

2 hours ago, PackAttack said:

DeSoto vs Humble Summer Creek

Duncanville vs GP Northshore

Does anyone know the back story on Summer Creek? Don't I have ever hear much about them. The others are all blue bloods. 

Lufkin has a decent team this year. But they do have some deficiencies that didn't have last year. No inside presence on offense and defense has been an issue. Brown can mix up down low, but is mostly a perimeter player. We also miss having a defensive stopper like Moody to guard the other teams best player. 

Breaking the press has been an issue for Lufkin the paste few years. Lufkin also hardly uses it themselves. Not sure if it's just coach Macs philosophy or we just haven't had the pieces to utilize it. Most of the better teams will use it. 

I agree about one or two of the JV gives getting moved up. There is one I. think would give the team a boost immediately. 

Still plenty of time to improve.

39 minutes ago, PackAttack said:

I don't believe Lufkin is on any level as a football program right now.  Can't think about playoffs anymore cause we don't make it there anymore. We are so far away from anything resembling an Aledo program. We don't have the coaching or ability to win any Championship even at the 5A DII or 4A DI level right now. bet $100 dollars on it.  Watching these playoffs make me see our deficiencies here more clearly. However, inside the district no one can see them.

And the program has no direction. Hasn't had any in a while now. It just simply exists and continues down the same path every year. I want to believe things will be better next year. And I can see us being solid on defense. I just feel the end result will be the same. 

9 minutes ago, PackAttack said:

As most of you have probably read.  Aledo smoked Forney tonight 43-7 bringing an end to a really fantastic run for the Jackrabbits, and a very good run for District 7-5A DI.  A district where their own teams knocked each other out of the playoffs. I really believed this would be a great game between these two teams.  A little scary how good a youthful Aledo is this year.  They certainly know how to build a winning football program.

Good to see Timpson win 35-21 over Ganado Thursday night to make to State after making the semi finals 4 years in a row.

Chapel Hill punched their ticket to State winning 56-33 over San Antonio Davenport.

Another East Texas school headed to State was Gilmer defeating Glen Rose 79-42 in a high scoring game. 

I forgot all about the Aledo vs Forney game. Watched the highlights of that game..Aledo looks explosive and physical as ever. Lufkin is a long way from being on that level. I like Aledo Qb. Looks like he as some size to him and can move. 

23 minutes ago, wolfpack4life said:

Not really.

We tend to do better in the highest classification, for whatever reason. 

5AD1 are the ones that'll have to deal with Aledo, HP, Desoto....good luck.

Have to agree with this. Lufkin has done nothing the years we have been in 4A/5A. Our last playoff run was in 6A..

7 minutes ago, PackAttack said:

Yep, compared to where TT is today and how Polk has grown at Washington is like night and day. We never used Polk enough here, just like Dez and other great players at Lufkin. 

And 2nd tier players like Titan Williams.