timeout!

1 hour ago, pimpthepen said:

A lot High School are pushing the kick off game time back and hour do anybody know if the game will be push back and hour

LISD is hardly ever proactive with anything. It's alway more reactive after several others have done it or they are forced to make a decision.  Been that way for years here. 

I wouldn't mind a later start time. Even if it's only pushed back an extra 30 minutes. 

1 hour ago, PurpleNation said:

McKinney was already going to be tough for Longview and they added a LB committed to Oklahoma St and a QB that will be going into year 3 starting with FBS interest. The metroplex is wide open when it comes to this

Things are alway in motion up there. One reason I never try to predict how good or bad those teams will be. I wouldn't be surprised if McNorth has picked up a few lesser known transfers. Lufkin has a tough schedule. A&M consolidated will be a big game too. They hired former Prosper coach to take over. He had success there and now inherits a solid team with a pretty good Qb.

2 hours ago, Pack007 said:

That’s been happening. You know that 

Welcome back. Been wondering when you would pop back in. 

39 minutes ago, PackAttack said:

Thankfully we have two good QBs, Hammond is the starter, our starting pocket passing QB. He in in his 3rd year on the Varsity. Johnspn is an excellent RPO guy. The first game is Friday and some folks are still searching for a starting QB. We are fortunate to have two quality kids in that position.  

And we can always use Gavin in an emergency situation. 

14 hours ago, PackAttack said:

These Panthers know two things about their plans for 2023.

1. They're ready for the playoff drought to end.

2. It won't be easy.

Coach Quick said " That's been the mindset of this team since January 1st". " This group has been working at a high level in the offseason".  He said he liked the hard work the young kids have put in and the seniors have put in the hard work to lead the team. "It won't be easy!".  The 7-5A DI district is really good, probably better than it was last year. This district has 5 of the best RB in the State of Texas, and fortunately one of them is playing for Lufkin, Kedren Young.  It's going to be a fight every night in this 2023 district.

Quick said " If your looking at the district from the outside, Longview is probably considered the best team, but there are athletes all over this district. It's not going to be easy.  "Kedren Young is our go-to guy". "We are going to try and make teams try to stop our run game". "We'll go with a two-back and even three-back formations.  "We are going to use RB Bacquari Murphy and also Gavin Phillips as an H-Back or TE Hybrid, he can also play QB. .He can be a weapon wherever we put him".

The Panthers will have two QB threats this year. T J Hammond will start the year, he was a full time starter in 2022 throwing for 1464 yards. Quick said, "he threw the ball really well in 7 on 7 this Summer". "He is our pocket passer and they are expecting big things from him".  A new threat at QB will be Javion Johnson, who is expected to make an early impact. Quick said, "he is a tall lean kid who is a good runner". "He can be a passing threat as well, but he is a real threat in the zone read".  Quick said, "we are planning on having a two QB system". "We are excited about it because we can have two totally different things when T J is back there or when Johnson is in the game".

Both QB will have excellent targets at WR with KeVondrick Taylor, Krisean Preston, Keandre Hooper and Brayden Murphy.

An improved OL will be a big key to the success of the Panther offense with Jordan Nichols, Gio Villegas and Daniel Torres returning with significant playing time last year. Quick said, "We had the biggest improvement from those guys in the offseason than any other group on the team". "We are expecting those guys to be the backbone of our offense". 

The Lufkin defense gave up 44 average points per game in 4 district games last year. In 2023 Junior Zion Williams returns as one of the most recruited in the Nation. He will be at NT, and there is depth at that position with Elijah Alexander and Brenden Baker.  Jordan McClendon, Cooper Conrad and Maurice Curl will start and anchor the DE positions. Quick stated, "We've got good depth on the defensive line". "We've got some guys that can play on the inside and the outside, so we will have an excellent rotation there. We won't get worn down as games progress this year. Isaiah Menefee at 6-3, 190 has been moved from safety to OLB, while WR Amarion Campbell 6-1, 185 has been moved to safety. Lufkin is expecting big things from Menefee this season.  Mike Mosley Jr is in the mix in the secondary, with a ton of speed. Lufkin will start Kenneth Timmons and Evan Young at CB. "They both had really good Spring workouts and an excellent track season".  "They have no issues playing on an island with anyone". 

Lufkin has good depth at LB and have a variety of options at that position. Keithan Davis is an OLB who can play as an extra safety. Jacoriane White was a DB last season and moves to OLB this year.  Kaden Hooper will hold down the middle of the LB group. Quick said, "He is a very physical kid who will make the calls defensively," " He will be in charge of the huddle".  Juan Lara and Ross Byrd, Jordan Booker and Elijah Menefee will be in the LB rotation. Lots of depth here.

"The key to our defense is getting the right 11 in the right spots", said Quick. "We have guys we know can play. Playing together as an 11 - man unit will be the big thing".

Noland Hansard is returning as kicker and punter this season. Kaden Hooper and Damian Diaz will be the kickoff and punt returners.  

Quick said," The offseason has been good". "We've had 125 guys in here working hard all Summer. They want to be back in the playoffs and hard work is what it's going to take".

The journey begins this Friday night, we have been waiting two years to see this come together.  I for one am feeling a sense of excitement in this group.  You could see it in the scrimmage.  I have hope in them too. Go Pack!

 

 

I don't think I have ever seen Quick this excited about a group. He will usually name a few a kids to look out for and maybe a group as a whole. He basically menetioned whole starting lineups by names and backups. I like that they are planning on using both Qbs and have a clear vision on what they want. Johnson definitely has a great ball fake on the read option. 

Also excited to see the defense. The two corners are impressive. Evan Young at 6'1 can be matched up against taller receivers. I watched some footage of him and he looks to be the real deal. Timmons on the other side is good too. Can't remember the last time Lufkin had two corners who we could leave on an island. I can remember one. And that was Hewitt. He had some serious ball hawk skills.

So much to look forward to. Keeping my fingers crossed that it all comes together. I don't want to look back at this group a few years from now. And only see 2 or 3 wins playoffs wins..

25 minutes ago, PackAttack said:

Your going way back for Sheppard in 1999-2000, pre championship year.  He was a big LB if I remember him correctly, about 6-2 and 210 or 215 lbs. Think he made a committed to Texas A&M but never played there. It's been a while, so I don't remember much else or do I have any tackle statistics for him at Lufkin. 

I definitely remember Tyson Kirksey and Aaron Darks.  We really missed Darks in that playoff game against Southlake 2004. Outlaw said he had stepped on some glass during the week, cut his foot and could not play in that game..

I’d throw Hunter Slayton in the mix too. His junior was something nice. He actually got the start because of an injury to Kirksey if I remember correctly. Agree about Shepherd he was part the group that began to turn the program around during the time. 

Longview vs Tx High scrimmage. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RbbPI1FlQs

Legacy vs Marshall scrimmage

That's a nice looking complex. Did they get a new basketball gym too? 

Melissa is opening up this $35m stadium. 

Abe really looks dated when compared to other stadiums. Especially when you see that tuna can of a press box sitting atop of it. 

4 minutes ago, PackAttack said:

I sat next to 4 of them last night, could hardly watch the game for all the talk about their new digs. It is a long time coming because they have not had a home football stadium to call their own in over 40 years to my knowledge. Their baseball and softball complex looks awesome, they did  not cut back on certain things the way Lufkin did with their complex. Still, Lufkin's venue is a great place to watch games. The deal with me is always do it top notch the first time, because it will cost you triple down the road when a school comes back to make it the way it should have been the first go around. The new turf practice footbal field was a hit last night too.

They did go on about it for a while. I also eventually muted the video, sound was bad and off. Plus they didn't even use the names on the roster for Lufkin, even though they claimed to have it. SMH..

Won't fault them too much on being excited for their new complex. 50 years is a long time not have your own stadium. So I can understand the excitement around it. 

Curios to know, what did look cut back on for ours? Been to several games at the basketball arena and it's top notch. Still haven't made it to the ball park yet. But have heard nothing but good things about it.

27 minutes ago, PurpleNation said:

Legacy going to find points hard to come by. Lufkin should win big Friday. 

Haven't heard much about how things are going at Legacy. I usually visit Smoaky to get the scoop on the other ETX teams. But their fans are not too active, so guess we'll see Friday.

I won't predict score. Just hope everyone comes out healthy and Lufkin improves from it. This shouldn't be a 25+ carry game for Young. Not a good sign if he getting that many carries during non-district. Need to save those legs for district. Gavin should help with that. 

There's a lot to be excited for this season. Prob much healthier to think about all the great stuff that could happen. We will cross the disappointment bridge when or if that time comes. 

It's gonna be an interesting year from start to finish. Everything is now set for this team, which we have been waiting to see for the last couple of years. We would prob be a lock for a second or first place finish. If we were in our previous district with the Magnolia schools. But this district is a totally different beast.

Talent and speed come a dime a dozen in 7-5A. Several teams have multiple players with D1 offers. I see the McFalls kid from Tyler high committed to UCLA. Their fans are excited about the new staff and say the kids are buying in. So that could be one more team in the mix for one of the four playoff spots.  

The next 3 weeks are crucial for Lufkin. Any kinks or changes that need to be addressed, have to be taken care of by the start of district. We don't get the luxury of starting off with a couple of cupcake games. We have to walk out those first 2 games with at least 1 win. An 0-2 start wouldn't be the end of the season. But it's hole I'd rather us not have to try and climb out of. Good thing is we won't have to wait long to see how we stack up. 

1 minute ago, PackAttack said:

Lufkin did not blow out Nacogdoches after 1986 until 1993 winning 51-0, then 42-2 in 2001, 56-0 in 2002, 54-12 in 2003 and 55-7 in 2004, 43-0 in 2006,  29-0 in 2007, 33-0 in 2009, 72-20 in 2010,  69-14 in 2011, 45-7 in 2012, 38-0 in 2015, 45-7 in 2018,  44-0 in 2019 and 37-0 in 2022.   

You need to go all the way to 2009 to get even close to the 73-0 he mentioned happen when he was in school in 1986-87.

So does he get in trouble for embellishing the truth? lol

Seem like a good guy. Just got his facts mixed all the way up. Although, I think I would remember if my team beat  someone 73-0..lol. 

1 hour ago, PackAttack said:

I watch the scrimmage again, even with all the sound issues and incessant talking about how great the new Huntsville stadium will be, reminiscing about former Huntsville radio person graduating from Lufkin in 1987.  He said after Nacogdoches kids burned a NAC on our field they beat them 73-0 that year.  First of all they burned a giant N at the middle of Abe Martin field with gasoline, and which ever year he was speaking about, Lufkin beat Nacogdoches 28-7 in 1986 and 17-10 in 1987.  Lufkin didn't beat anyone 73-0 in the 80s.  Finally turned down the sound and just watch the scrimmage.

 

 

 

I noticed that too. I'm pretty sure that 73-0 happened after he graduated. lol

3 minutes ago, Pack13 said:

Young is playing at 220 this year. Was 210 last year.

Thats interesting, cause he looks smaller. Good either way..😃

Gavin sure does bring another element to the offense and team. Seeing him run over opponents really gets the team fired up. Him and Young will be a nice 1-2 punch. I would've liked to have seen more from the passing game. Guess we'll have to wait until next week for that.

Lufkin will be better this year. But so will a lot of other teams. Like LufkinPack said..have we closed the gap and/or separated ourselves enough from the rest of the pack to flip some of those losses from last year and clinch a playoff spot?  

Young looks a little trimmer too. He was already fast, could be a step faster carrying less weight. Imagine that..lol.

TJ also looks a bit slimmer. Guess all the heat and working out has guys dropping pounds. 

We looked decent. Hard to tell during a scrimmage and all the backups in and out. One thing we do have is depth at defensive line..who is #73? That guy is nasty down there and has a mean streak. Plenty of size in that area. Could just be me, but we seem a little on the smallish side for some reason. Lufkin will have to continue improving though out the year. 

Gavin will be a load this year. Sure hate the coaches had him stuck on the sub varsity teams for 2 years. 

The back Qb will be nice after a year on varsity. I can see the potential there. Just need some more seasoning. 

1 hour ago, Pack05 said:

Will the scrimmage be online ?

Huntsville will be calling the game. 

Huntsville really going all out with this scrimmage coverage. 

2 hours ago, PackAttack said:

Lufkin is sitting at 723 wins All-Time:

We could be in the mix. Had our program not fallen off the face of the earth for nearly 20 years. 

32 minutes ago, LufkinPack said:

Who is #26? I think that’s 26 

Gavin Phillips

4 hours ago, PackAttack said:

Tell us more about Kedren Young's brother on the Freshman team. He is as big as Kedren.

 

He's a baseball guy. Pretty darn good from what I hear. Not sure what type of football player he is. But have heard nothing but great stuff about him on the diamond. 

6 minutes ago, Pack13 said:

Van Horn is decently tall I believe. They look like normal high school linebackers. 

Maybe thats it. 

24 minutes ago, LufkinPack said:

They all seem small or is it just me? Lol 

I was thinking the same thing. But was wondering if may have been the angle or something. I know Hooper has some size to him as for as muscles go. 

54 minutes ago, pack98 said:

Will make it down for the game Texas and OU weekend and take my son to that game. Will try to make or down for another one flights from Seattle can get expensive. 

Does Grapeland stream games?

5 minutes ago, PackAttack said:

“There’s two or three different kinds of playoff teams.”  “There’s those who get there and spend all the time congratulating themselves and patting themselves on the back. They won’t last long. Then there’s those who get there, but it’s a beatdown, Man, that's not it either, or you get ready to play your 14th game… Even though it ought to be the most exciting time in your life, you’re a little bit tired, and you just can’t keep on keepin’ on.

Then there’s the group that is going to come in and brace themselves for the long haul and clock in and clock out every day. It doesn’t mean they’re going to be [champions], but they got the best chance to win. We’ need to be working hard and raising our kids’ awareness level. We’ve got to be in that third group.”

Plus, Tradition is should be used to connect each team versus divide them.

Being consistent and setting high standards for everyone is also important. I think winning becomes a habit when everything is clicking. You'll stay afloat even during the down years. I wonder if there is much tradition left in Lufkin? There was a time, when each new group new what it meant to wear that Panther jersey. It came with the expectations of long playoff runs and never give up attitude. We haven't been consistent enough to get anything going. Nothing to be passed down from one group to the next. 

Maybe that begins to change this year. It won't be long before we all find out. I went back and watched all the games between Lufkin and Longview's Freshmen, JV and Varsity. I saw the same thing in all three games. Better blocking, execution, play calling, and overall more aggressive. Not more talented, just better coached and overall better ran program from top to bottom. King talks about being consistent for the last decade.