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Posts posted by timeout!
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1 hour ago, PackAttack said:
A former Lufkin Panthers wide receiver will be back in town this week as he is hosting a free youth football camp.
Ja’Lynn JPolk, now a standout with the Washington Huskies, is hosting the camp at Lufkin High School’s John Outlaw Memorial Field at Abe Martin Stadium Saturday.
The camp is open to 7- to 15-year-old boys and girls and will be from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Those who were among the first 50 participants to register will receive a free T-shirt. However, there will still be open registration at Saturday’s event.
Participants must be registered by a parent or guardian. They are encouraged to get to the camp early in order to get registered and checked in.
Polk will lead the event, with campers taking part in skill drills and scrimmages.
Polk is one of the most prolific receivers in Lufkin Panthers history.
He ranks second in Lufkin history in both receptions (131) and receiving yards (2,412). He is third in touchdown receptions with 24.
He had 1,050 receiving yards as a senior, which ranks fifth all time at Lufkin, despite missing the end of the year with an injury. That same year, he had 54 catches, which ranks 10th all time at Lufkin.
That season was highlighted by a 244-yard game against Tomball, which ranks second in Lufkin history.
Polk opened his collegiate career at Texas Tech, where he had 28 receptions for 264 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games.
He transferred to Washington, where he has spent the past two seasons.
Polk was limited to three games due to injury in his first season there, making five receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown.
The Lufkin standout had a breakout year last season, hauling in 41 receptions for 694 yards and six touchdowns for the Huskies, who finished the season with an 11-2 record and won the Alamo Bowl.
His career-best game came against Michigan State when he hauled in six passes for 153 yards and three touchdowns.
Polk and the Huskies open the 2023 season when they host Boise State at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 2.
Josh Havard’s email address is josh.havard@lufkindailynews.com.
Glad to see Polk coming back and doing something with the youth here. There was a time, when stuff like this happened more often. Many of those kids look up to former players. Even if they may not be familiar with them. The fact you have someone playing/played at the next level, is enough to get them excited.
Still boggles my mind. That we only won 4 playoff games after having Polk, Berry, Carl Williams, Braylon Garcia, Bug Thompson, and several other solid players. With many of them being on varsity as sophs.
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3 hours ago, PackAttack said:
Thank You. By the way, keep my son in your prayers, he has been in LVIV, Ukraine for about the past 5 years working as a Creative Director for a Business Building company there. He is their English speaking liaison for their American and British clients. He returns back to Lufkin to stay normally from November to March, avoiding the harsh Winters there, then returns. He is due again in October this time. They are in far Western Ukraine, 40 miles from Poland, a beautiful Austrian-Hungarian Architectural and Culture City. They do have air raids regularly, cruise missiles come over to hit Utility infrastructure, sometimes they miss and hit an apartment building killing civilians. The main conflict is in the far East and South. Ukraine is the size of Texas. The Russians have been very cruel with cultural genocide in everything they have tried to touched there. Have experienced this up close and personal. I pray everyday for him and his Ukrainian girlfriend, it is a difficult situation for them there. Everyone there wants to be FREE, and not under the rule of a Communist Dictator. It's really hard for most Americans to understand this situation from 5700 miles away.
Looks amazing. Can't Imagine what it's like for you, knowing your son is having to work in nation at war right now. Will make sure to keep sending up prayers for everyone.
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1 hour ago, PackAttack said:
Frankly, all I have to go on with other teams is DCTF and DMN Sports. Don't research other teams that closely anymore, don't have the time or inclination to want to now. Have a tough enough time now keeping up with Lufkin sports. I rely heavily on good folks like PurpleNation, Jack Walker, Pack05, Timeout, Chad, LufkinPack and Pack13, names that come to my mind, for their valuable input here. I'm thankful to them. There are just too many other things more important at this stage of life other than wrapping my soul completely around any sports. Some of you will understand that someday, found out I wasn't bullett proof in 2008, and again in 2022, and I have always worked out hard to stay in shape, found out that didn't matter either. It was a real tough 2022 for me, but I was still here moderating the site and did not miss a football game. My perspective is neither Purple or Green or whatever now. Today, it comes down to me living for my God, Family and Friends. Then, enjoying some football or other Panther sports with them, if I'm here when it comes around. I can no longer count on next year, not guaranteed that now. Really no one has that guarantee if you really think about it. Hey, I'm just hoping to see all of the games this year. For now, that's good enough for me. Go Pack!
Well said PA. We all appreciate what you do for the board. It wouldn't be here, if not for you and your son. Pray that you continue to stay healthy. Definitely more pressing things than football.
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8 hours ago, wolfpack4life said:
Wallace is '26, so he'll be a sophomore this year.
PA mentioned that Forney graduated SR LBs....they actually didn't lose much of anything to graduation. They return 9 starters on that defense (DCTF says 8, but I counted 9). That includes all of their LBs from last year.
One of those LBs is Landry Hopkins, one of the top '26 LBs in Texas. And now they add Riggins...who'll probably be in the top 2 or 3 2025 LBs in Texas when the updated 2025 rankings come out. Has offers from everywhere.
Forney has 3 starters back on their defensive line, I wouldn't be shocked if they move to the 3-4 this year to accommodate all of those LBs.
That or they stay in the even front and one of those LBs move down to DE...
Bad news for the opposition regardless.
Ok..I thought he was on our fish team that went 10-0 a couple of years ago. The district will be solid this year. Like PA said earlier..it's important to get off to a good start.
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3 hours ago, PackAttack said:
Key game IMO is beating Forney at ABE, if not SMH, at Lancaster last game looms large. Any other trip ups or a bad start to district just can not happen at all. You still have McKinney North @ ABE and @ Tyler and @ North Mesquite to deal with too. You start this district off 1-3 or 0-2, your probably done as far as playoffs.
It is ironic that Forney graduated SR LBs and were in need of replacements at that position. Even starting a highly regarded SOPH LB Landry Hopkins, they needed help there. Good stroke of luck that a top P5 LB - Ranked #22 in the Country - Kelvion Riggins ( 38 offers) decided to transfer to Forney right before the season, from a SOC team who is a 2023 pre season Ranked #2 in 5A DII this year by DCTF. SOC won the title last year, a good chance to repeat this year, however only returned 1 starter on defense. May be the reason for this move, and also understand it's a going back home situation too, think he was originally from Forney area. Sort of like, IF the Wallace kid comes back home to Lufkin from Grand Oaks next season.
Timeout, your right about the Metro, they are FLUID!
It's going to be a BEAST of a year in this district. What a time for Lufkin to have such good talent, and everyone else is loaded at the same time.
Those schools always find a way to fill holes. Especially the really good programs. I remember the year Desoto won state. The Qb was a 4 or 5 star recruit that transferred in for his senior year. SLC did something similar one year with a Qb moving in from Oklahoma or Arkansas...can't remember which one. Those schools are always shuffling players around. I'm sure someone will transfer in from some place like Cedar Hill to replace Riggins at SOC.
The Wallace kid would be senior next year. I'd love to have someone like that back here. But it looks like his team is on the rise. Especially with the talent at the Qb position. Not sure a move back to Lufkin would make sense for him. I'm sure he has formed new friendships up there and may not want to come back this way, but I could be wrong. I don't know the dynamics of his family.
Honestly, I have never known this staff to be too lenient with players who move off and then come back. Just about every player I can think of in that situation. Was always regulated to back up duty when they returned. Zeke Francher comes to mind. He had a brief stint in Huntington and was never given a shot as a starter. They did throw him a few bones in certain situations. And to be fair..Jacovey Smallwood was a heck of player too. So no complaints there. We where in a great situation.
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2 hours ago, PackAttack said:
Per multiple sources, 2025 linebacker Kelvion Riggins is transferring from South Oak Cliff to Forney. Riggins is enrolled at Forney as of yesterday and should be clear to play pending paperwork.
Dude already looks college ready.
I have mention this a few times this year. I try to avoid predicting how good or bad those DFW teams will be from one year to the next. Things are always fluid with those programs when it comes to transfers. You could also say the same with the coaches. You not gonna see the same amount of stagnation, the way you do in small towns like Lufkin. Quick will have to earn one of those 4 playoff spots. Nothing will come easy this year.
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20 hours ago, PackAttack said:
The starting Panther OL in the Spring game were LT #50 Tavorian Foreman JR, LG #79 Jordan Nichols SR, Center #52 Mathew Chavez SR, RG #57 Geovanni Villegas JR and RT #55 Daniel Torres JR.
We know that T J Hammond and Javion Johnson are at the QB position. Young, Phillips, Murphy and Chinn at RB. Think Shepard may have had a couple carries because I put a mark by his name. Of course Young did not play in the Spring game. WR were Taylor, Murphy, Preston, Campbell and Hooper. Those are the players I marked on my roster. Didn't mark any other players, probably didn't have the time to get anyone else playing time because of lightening storm. I believe Hart and Reggie may have been out there too.
I made some scribble notes, but did not designate on the starting DL and LB. Do remember Zion Williams , Elijah Baker, Jordan McClendon, Marcus Curl and Brendon Baker playing the DL, and there were several I remember at LB Kaden Hooper, Jordan Booker, Desmen Hood, Ross Byrd, Keithan Davis, Amari White and maybe Juan Lara.
Someone in the know please confirm this and add whoever I've missed. The whole game didn't last more than 40 minutes, before they cancelled the game. Just not enough time to see everyone play.
We already know Menefee is starting at Safety, Keith Timmons at CB, for whatever reason I didn't write down any other names for secondary.
On another note there are 22 Offensive lineman listed on the Spring Roster, those seem like good numbers for OL.
They have 20 WR listed, 9 RB, 3 Kickers/Punters and 3 QBs.
On Defense there are 20 D Lineman listed, 6 OLB, 14 LB, 16 CB and 13 Safety positions.
All of these player numbers are not counting the incoming Freshman group. Any idea how many 9th graders will be playing this year?
Thanks for the update. Looking forward to watching this bunch over the next couple of years. I hope they are able to reach their full potential.
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28 minutes ago, PackAttack said:
How many of these kids play JV? Pretty much all the kids listed as Freshman in the Spring. Could any of those 2023 Sophomores have an impact this season on Varsity? This is still a young Pack team with a bunch of Juniors starting.
I'm not sure. I'm leaning toward must of the guys that were left on JV last year, from that 10-0 fish team, would finally be moved up to fill any holes. I could be wrong though. Just basing off of what I have heard on here mostly and saw last year. The Johnson kid at Qb is the only player I can think of that is getting a look on varsity. Maybe some move up later in the year.
I know this may be asking a bit much. But does anyone know the projected starters on offense and defense? Just the spots that are up for competition. We know players like Young, Hammons, Phillips, Menefee, Zion and Hooper are locks at their positions.
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18 hours ago, PackAttack said:
I see Winfred Simmons is turning 80 in early August. I'm sure he has met the Rule of 80 (age plus years of TRS credit total at least 80) for teachers retirement in Texas. He has been at Lufkin 48 years, he was in a couple other stops (Ralph Bunche in Crockett and Crockett High) before coming to Lufkin. I figure he has close to 58 years coaching sports. Don't think I've ever read of anyone coaching this long, has to be a record.
He has been around for a while. I had him for Health back at Dunbar.
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😂
We'll have to keep fixing it up and hope we can get something out of it.
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On 7/25/2023 at 11:22 AM, PackAttack said:
In case you want to compare Panther football today and the 14-1 - 6A Panther program in 2004, check this out and tell me your thoughts. #12 Smallwood was an underrated QB in my opinion, too bad he only had one year to show his talent. Sorry this video quality wasn't as good back then, still you can see the talent. Lane Train #7 and a lot of Ralph Thomas #16, McKinner Dixon #65, EJ Shankle #32, Leonard Hewitt #11, #26 Roy Gardner and #5 backup QB Zeke Fancher. LB Ataymian Skinner #44, Alton Dixon #23.
#34 in Cedar Park and Southlake games is Dez Bryant's first Varsity TD receptions.
Thomas is now HC and Dixon DC at Yates and Fancher Asst Coach Katy Tompkins.
A bunch of guys that had that Dog mentality. Flying around and looking to knock somebody block off. Watching prime Lane running over HS kids and seeing them bounce off like rag dolls never gets old. I wish he could've maintained that size and weight in college. One of the best athletes I've seen in person play. Dude could do it all..some people forget he lead the district in punting his senior year. And was the quarterback on that game winning drive against Longview at SFA.
The one thing they really had was confidence. There was an intimidation factor and swagger they had when they stepped off the bus. No excuses about school enrollment, facilities, or any other nonsense. It was all about lining up and going at it.
I was at most of those games in that clip. We were a true perennial power back then. And it all came to a screeching stop a couple years after 04. Gone as quickly as it came. There was no slow decline as for as playoff success. It went from long playoff runs to one and done most years after that. With very little in between outside of 2012 and 2017.
Time sure has flown by. It's been over 22 years since that title run and 19 since that 04 team. Heck..it's been 6 years since the 2017 run. That's also quickly falling back in the review mirror now. I'm sure some folks come on here shake their head. We just a bunch of old timers sitting on the porch reminiscing about better days. Holding on to that old truck we should've sold long ago.
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13 hours ago, PackAttack said:
Kedren is right there with the best of them.
Kedren is one the best backs in the nation. Not many people are familiar with him, as some other backs in the state or around the country. I put that on Lufkin lack of playoff success. He barely gets a mention when talking heads are discussing running backs in district. All the focus is on Tatum and Lacey. They then lump Young in with the other notable guys from Tyler, MKN, and Forney. You would never know he is the #2 ranked back in the state, only behind Tatum.
This staff will have egg on their face. If they don't manage more than 1 or 2 playoff wins during his tenure here. To be honest, it should be a lot more than that. But he only has one year left, so we have to be realistic with this staff. You just can't have talent like that come through the doors and come up empty handed. It wouldn't be the first time though.
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2 hours ago, PackAttack said:
Though Matt Stepp predicts a 4th place finish for Lufkin in District 7-5A DI this season, DCTF as a whole still predicts Lufkin to miss the playoffs for the 3rd year in a row.
Dave Campbell’s Texas Football is proud to unveil its preseason projected playoff brackets for the 2023 Class 5A Texas high school football season. The projected brackets are based off of the DCTF computer rankings, compiled by Jerry Forrest of PigskinPrep.com CLASS 5A DIVISION I Projected Bi-District Matchups
Mansfield Timberview vs. Frisco Heritage
Barbers Hill vs. McKinney North
Frisco Lone Star vs. Carrollton Smith
Lancaster vs. Crosby
Longview vs. New Caney Porter
Frisco Reedy vs. N. Richland Hills Birdville
Port Arthur Memorial vs. Forney
Fort Worth Richland vs. Frisco Wakeland
I'd like to see us come out and put people on notice this year. Winning the district would be one way to do that. I really want to see our team start earning some respect. We have some great pieces in place. The freshman team that ran the table are all on varsity this year. I don't feel like we should have to wait until they are seniors to make some noise. Get the O-line and Qb play together and we can play with anyone in district. But you know..it is what is, until proven otherwise.
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28 minutes ago, PackAttack said:
You must admit, Longview goes all out in the media coverage for their sports programs, especially football. They broadcast all sub varsity football games, all Varsity games. Most of their other sports home games. This is quite a spectacle, don't know anyone else in the State that does this for their sports.
Yep..they even have working replay for the sub varsity games. All though it's not on the same level. Silsbee community is all in on their teams too. At least that is what I have seen for the football and basketball programs. A lot of it has to do with the success those programs have had. The fans are excited every year.
I would like to see more people get excited about Lufkin basketball. We had two consecutive good seasons. With some really good players and one of the best facilities in the state, to take in a HS basketball game. And the gym is still not as full as it should be. Maybe that will change over the next few years.
Just to give you guys a quick update. Austin Brown competed in the Nike Peach Jam tournament earlier this month in South Carolina. It is the premier tournament in the country each year. Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul all have teams that played in the tournament. Several other teams with current and former NBA player kids participated. Along with other top recruits across the nation. Brown plays for JL3 Elite out of Houston on the U16 team. He had very limited minutes this year. Just shows you how much talent is on that team. Still great competition that will make him better. Several other BBall players are having a great offseason.
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2 minutes ago, PackAttack said:
As good or better than Oklahoma. Even Texas and Texas A&M are better academically than OU.
It wasn't a knock on Tatum or OU. He had other choices on the table. OU was one of the few schools that would allow him to play baseball too. He said that was a big part of his decision going there.
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Do you guys feel there is much brotherhood among former Lufkin players? I follow a few other HS sports pages. And I notice how much more involved some former players are with each other and their programs. It's not every program, but enough to take notice. I've seen former players from certain schools, never miss a chance to comment or show some appreciation for the school and current players.
Theres a certain pride and camaraderie they have about coming from those programs. Maybe some former Lufkin players can chime in.
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15 minutes ago, PackAttack said:
Congrats to Taylor Tatum headed to Oklahoma probably a better fit than USC.
Still believe Kedren Young has a prestigious opportunity to do great things at Notre Dame. With a better OL the last two years, Young would be ranked right up there with Tatum. Longview folks may disagree, they have every right, but I've seen both kids run, there is not much difference between the two IMO.
I have to agree. Young would be ranked much higher if not for questionable coaching and inconsistent line play. But then again..how much more would a higher ranking be worth? He pretty much had his pick of top schools. Notre Dame is a great institution for academics and sports.
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11 hours ago, wolfpack4life said:
Yeah...we don't complain much about trench play.
We've had years that were better than others for sure but I can't say that we've put a trash product on the field in the King era. 2016 DL may be an exception...but that wasn't a Berry DL.
You have two OL and DL gurus on staff in Coach King and Coach Berry. Both coaches are very hard on both units. I tell people all the time, one of the hardest things to do in TXHSFB is play OL for Coach King. He is going to push you to the limits mentally and physically...you'd definitely better have thick skin. If youve ever seen a Longview practice, you know King has a mouth on him lol
Iron also sharpens iron. You can't have a good OL without a good DL and vice versa. King and Berry are also very similar in the sense of what they're looking for in a kid. They don't simply want the biggest. They want the best. They want dogs.
I just watched the Longview Game Day stream for Tatum commitment announcement. Seem like a great kid and has his head on straight. You have to be with offers from schools like Duke. I'm all about seeing young men taking care of their business on and off the field. No matter what school they come from. I felt the same way about the RB from CS last year that's going to Duke. And I'm just as proud for our very own Kedren Young. You need young men like that in the locker room to set positive examples for others. OU has a heck of player coming. Looking forward to seeing him and Young square again this year.
King mentioned being an old O-line coach before taking over. And I thought to myself, thats why you hardly see a bad O-line in Longview. You can tell he still takes pride in how those guys play. He comes off as someone that takes it personally. You not gonna embarrass him every week with poor play.
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I went back and watched the fish game vs Longview last week. And you can tell the difference between how their line played vs how ours played. I know they run a different scheme than Lufkin, but you can tell. That their kids just play with more aggression on the O-line than ours. I could be wrong, but you hardly ever hear them complaining about offensive line play.
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I know we have discussed this before. I really wish Lufkin would look into doing something like this. I would not have a problem with changing the name. If that means huge renovations or new stadium.
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7 hours ago, Pack13 said:
Tatum won’t repeat as district MVP. Flowers on the super team surprises me.
I think Kedren has a good shot at it. If the O-line comes together this year. Tatum is still a threat though. He is good as advertised. Young is just as good in my opinion. He just doesn't have the benefit of playing behind a line and scheme like Longview.
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On 7/10/2023 at 9:27 PM, LufkinPack said:
They don’t bother me that much. While always talented and loaded with speed, that’s one of the most undisciplined teams in the entire state year after year. They would make enough mistakes to give us a chance. You know what happens when you let a lesser team that has talent hang around.
I think their HC Brian Morgan is starting to turn some of that around. He took over in 2018 and they have posted at least 8 wins in 4 of his first 5 seasons. Lufkin and PATM actually have the same amount of playoff wins(6), since 2012. So there may not be too big of a difference between the programs during that span.
If you were forced to choose. Would you bet your life savings on Quick/Green in a first round matchup with PATM? I think I know the answer..😁 Until they prove different. I'm taking the field versus Lufkin in any first round matchup for now. And it has nothing to do with the players. It's the staff I don't trust. My mind could be changed, depending on how the season unfolds. It's not set in stone we even finish in the top four.
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5 hours ago, Pack13 said:
I’d rather avoid Port Aurthur memorial but I think any other matchup is in our favor. Richland in the second round would be an offensive matchup. They have a lot of talent.
Have to agree. I watched PATM play twice at Abe last year. They started the game out well against Longview and made some plays. But begin to make bonehead mistakes and the wheels came off. It would just be another 1st round exit, if all we are only able to grab is a 4th spot finish.
Lufkin has a lot to prove this year. I feel like we have the talent to do well this year. I think our ceiling for this year is 9-1 if we have a great year and everything just comes together. I don't see us beating Longview. Not on the road against those refs, players, and coaches. Maybe we can catch Lancaster underestimating us. A 8-2 finish would be a really good year for us too and is prob the most likely outcome if they play to their potential. I know we beat Consolidated last year, but you still cant assume thats a win. They have a really good Qb coming back and will want give us payback from last year. Several other teams we will have to earn wins against. Nothing is a given.
I like our chances this year and think we will surprise some people. Just hope the coaches can navigate the waters with the talent they have.
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I heard we are down 200 plus students this year. If that trend continues next year. Is there a chance Lufkin slips down to 5A DII ?
It's going to be a BEAST of a year in this district. What a time for Lufkin to have such good talent, and everyone else is loaded at the same time.
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2023 LUFKIN PANTHER FOOTBALL TOPIC DISCUSSIONS
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