Lufkin program has been driven into the ground. The season not even over yet and most of us already know how it will end. Not because we don't support the kids and want to see them be successful. But because we have been conditioned to feel this way. Like a kid expecting a dead beat dad to take them to Disney World every summer. It's not gonna happen champ. Those of us who have been around already know it. 

Do you think any fans in this district would swap coaching staffs with Lufkin? I don't think so. Not even the Mesquite schools would.  Quick has nothing to stand on right now. I doubt Nac would swap with us. They have seen how bad it's gotten around. I'm sure they would stick with their first year coach and see where it goes. 

18 hours ago, Jack Walker said:

Y’all praise Tyler but seem to forget Tyler beat this team 21-6.

I think it has more to do with Tyler trying to rebuild their program. There was no hype around them coming into this year, other than their fans and players being excited about new leadership. They are playing much better than last year. And have a good chance to possibly knock off Lufkin.

Lufkin on the other hand. Came in with the same tired coaching staff. Nothing has changed and we look to be on the same road as previous years. All the excitement around this program was based on  expectations of finally having an abundance of talent to work with. That hasn't proven to make any difference so far. 

So Tyler beating NM 21-6 is another positive for them. They also came back to play McNorth hard. It will be interesting see how much of a fight we put up against McNorth. I'm holding out some hope. But keeping my expectations low. Trust me..Tyler fans feel much better about the direction their program is headed vs what most of us feel right now about Lufkin.

It's time to pull the plug on the Quick/Green era. It has gotten us virtually nothing. They have lost just about every big game they have coached in. They hardly ever beat teams that have equal talent and coaching. The games they do win are usually the ones that Lufkin is heavy favorites in. And they even struggle in those sometimes. 

14 minutes ago, LufkinPack said:

We would hit a lot more big passing plays if we had an accurate QB though. He over throws people a lot 

He has hit guys in the paste. I think it's just the flow of the offense. There is no rhythm to anything. It's run, run, and then try a long pass when on obvious passing downs. The whole system is broken and just doesn't work well. Kevo had an awesome second half of the season last year. Thought he would be in for a bigger year. Preston has so much talent, but only has few big plays this year. Green hasn't been very creative in getting them the ball. 

41 minutes ago, PackAttack said:

The skilled talent is there on O, they are not lacking. I could say play selection, but that is not entirely it either, many times it's just execution. You look at it and just can't figure why is looks so disconnected. We are having trouble getting the ball consistency to skill players.  QB Johnson had a big run early, the problem with him is he just doesn't stick with blocking and starts to adlib at the first sign of pressure and it gets him in trouble. T J ran the ball a couple times for decent yards and a couple of TD runs, all good.  They actually scored one TD with TJ from under Center, amazing. However, the passing game downfield has been silenced for the most part since Nacogdoches. The expected big play ability of Preston and Taylor is seldom seen, why?

It's a mixed bag. It adds up to all this offensive inconsistency. We haven't ran the ball well in 4 games now.  This is game 7 coming up, we have regressed more than progressed on the O side of things. That does not bode well for playoff asperations. The better question would be, will there be changes or just continue the same approach?

Lufkin doesn't have an identity on offense. And I'm not just talking about this year. Some teams have a system and culture the kids buy into. When things get hard, they can usually fall back on it. You think about teams like Katy and even Longview when it comes to running the ball. Longview was struggling to move the ball last night. When they needed a play they went to the run game or used it to set up something positive. Then just relied on a stout defense to bring it home. Green just throws darts at the board and hopes something sticks. It's not a cohesive unit at the moment. You have a stud RB, but nothing flows or fits around him like it should. Correct me if I'm wrong. But I think Hammonds has as many rushing TD's as Preston has receiving. 

We are starting to get a clearer picture. Longview will prob win district. McNorth and Forney will take the next two spots in no particular order. That leaves Lufkin, Tyler and Lancaster fighting for the 4th and final spot. It's possible that Lufkin could upset McKnorth, but we don't look like a team capable of that right now. The offense has been in the dumpster since the Nac game. They rode Kedren as long as possible. The better teams are gonna force Lufkin to do something different. We could be looking at a scenario were Lufkin vs Lancaster is a winner take all game. That's assuming we take care of business against Tyler. Even that game is in doubt this year.

5 minutes ago, PurpleNation said:

No he's been on the bench. He should have been playing.

Wow..the defense automatically looked that much better. I look for players that flash when watching a game and he immediately jumps out. Haven't seen speed like that from LB position since Mandela Roberts.

Most of the pieces are there for Lufkin. The O-line is not the best, but I don't feel it's the worst we have seen. Think they can be serviceable if giving a little help.That defense has so much potential.

Has #37 Murphy been playing this year? I don't remember seeing him this year. Kid has some wheels on him.

8 minutes ago, LufkinPack said:

We will not win next week. I’m not sure we can beat Tyler. 

I can't trust this staff, even if we got a win next week. They would still find a way to lose against Tyler after pulling an upset against McNorth. Just tired of watching Green and his Mickey Mouse offense. 

And Quick already look defeated in the post game interview. Seem like he just going through the motions.

Outlook for Lufkin is still grim. The team came out flat and uninspired. And the offense looked worse after a week of "fixing" stuff against a very bad team. Better teams will simply bottle up Kedren. Green not creative enough to scheme anything to counter it. Lufkin gets the win to stay alive. And the fact you can't get anyone else going, but Murphy is puzzling. Preston and Taylor are after thoughts. I just watched Longview lean on 2 other Rbs to help them win. Tatum got his, but it wasn't all him.

4 minutes ago, LufkinPack said:

Longview won a dog fight with Forney 

Good game by Longview. Special teams tried to give that game away and their defense stepped up twice after two turners late in the 4th. Gritty win by Longview.

4 minutes ago, LufkinPack said:

Lmao. 3rd & 12. Gary Ivins: “We’re gonna run the keeper with Hammond. That’s gonna get 12 yards” 🤣

He has been a little bit more critical lately. He says stuff live now that he would never years ago. 

6 hours ago, PackAttack said:

Any sub Varsity scores?

Jv  won 40-0

8 hours ago, PackAttack said:

A I had seniors come in this week and ask if they could address the team before practice. The focus is to get back to that 3-0 type of thinking and knowing where we were before the last two games. Team leadership can go a long way. Kedren (Young) stood up after the last game.

When your brother is standing by you and has the confidence to stand up and say what needs to be said, it means a lot more to the guys on the team.

This the only reason I'm holding out hope. I know what type of kids they have leading this team. The whole team rallied behind Young against Forney. 

11 minutes ago, PackAttack said:

Well, the talent is there, no excuses for a repeat of the last two years.  We are stuck with the O scheme maker we have, just need to use more than Young and Murphy on 75% of the play calls. I can only SMH, cause I'd be spreading the ball to everyone. This game is about winning and making a playoff run. Not making history getting Young the all time rushing yards trophy.

I'd also like to see Chinn get a few more opportunities. The kid has played hard on special teams and I think deserves a few more bones thrown his way. 

6 minutes ago, LufkinPack said:

I guess we will find out over the next 5 weeks. 

I actually like Lufkin being in this district. It forces our coaches to be prepared or else..The only down side is the distance. DFW has some of the best football programs from top to bottom right now. You will most likely have to go through one of them to win a title. Especially at the higher classifications. We will prob be placed back in Houston district next year. The travel will be much better. But I don't see us facing the same level of competition that way. 

I agree with everything you said PA. It was more so the way we lost in Longview that was disappointing. And yes we gave Longview a lot. But we been giving them a lot for a while now. At some point. We got to stop being so generous. 😁

I have no shame in the Forney loss. Our guys came to play and showed a lot of heart. Nothing much we could do about that. Although Green punting the ball down 2 scores, with 4min left is a head scratcher. You mention a while back that the program seems snack bitten. We have had key injuries or players not available in some big games. Our best DE Breylan Garcia had a season ending injury in 2017 and was not available for the matchup against Longview at SFA. Our starting Qb was injured the following year and couldn't go against Lone Star. Which forced us to use our 3rd string Qb. Because the 2nd string guy wasn't available. We prob still lose that game regardless. And then the next year, Jalyn Polk gets hurt right before the playoffs. The offense never got back on track and was upset at home against Texas High. Injuries are a part of the game. Guess it's just sticks out more here, because of our lack of success. 

1 hour ago, PackAttack said:

This is what always messes with my head. Why this fixing stuff continues 5 or 6 games into a season. You can't keep addressing things in this way season after season. The team should be getting better as the season moves on.  All of this current 2023 group, coaches and players have 5 games left this year to again make a difference and change folks minds about this team ending up as they have the past two seasons.  I hear the words, we've heard them before of course. At some point, fans stop listening because the results do not match the talk.

Bingo! And here we are in the exact spot as last year. With a team, that most of us believe is much better. I know we had key injuries last week. I don't fault the players much, outside of the bonehead personal fouls. Just look like we are on the exact same path as last year. 3-0 start and two losses to open district. We got blown out at home against Longview last year and the same on the road this year. I could be mistaken, but I believe Forney beat 42-21 last year and this year. Just under different circumstances. 

I'm just gonna let the year play out. The only reason I haven't thrown in the towel. I know what type of players we have on this team. 

5 hours ago, PackAttack said:

Lufkin using bye to refuel for stretch run

https://lufkindailynews.com/sports/high_school/lufkin-using-bye-to-refuel-for-stretch-run/article_98e80ede-fe84-58f7-b2a5-0ed197effa6b.html

 

It’s been a rough start to district action for the Lufkin Panthers, who started with back-to-back games against two of the top powerhouses from 7-5A DI.

Now, after back-to-back losses, most of Lufkin’s room for error is gone.

Therefore, Lufkin’s only bye week of the season was anything but some time off for as it starts a stretch of five games that will determine if they return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

“It’s still a work week,” Lufkin head coach Todd Quick said. “It’s not an off week at all because if you aren’t getting better, then you’re falling behind.”

Lufkin’s bye week comes with two major factors in mind as it looks to clean up some sloppy play. while also trying to get back to full strength.

Standout defensive lineman Zion Williams was hurt against Longview and missed the Forney game.

Lufkin lost starting QB T.J. Hammond and backup Javion Johnson in the loss to Forney. Quick said he expects both to return to full strength.

“We have to get well and get guys better,” Quick said. “You always want guys to step up when given the opportunity, but making a run is obviously easier when you’re healthy.”

Lufkin opened the season with three straight wins over Tyler Legacy, Nacogdoches and A&M Consolidated before stumbling against Longview and Forney, two teams tied for first place with McKinney North after two weeks.

While chasing a district title would be a stretch at this point, the Panthers likely need four wins in their last five games in order to return to the postseason.

However, their focus was on more of a shorter term approach than the big picture.

“We’ve got to clean up the mistakes we’ve been making,” Quick said. “You have to let guys get healthy while continuing to work hard.”

The Panthers will make the long trip to North Mesquite after the bye week in a matchup of 0-2 teams.

Quick said the majority of the week was spent on the team’s improvement before shifting to the Stallions.

“Monday through Wednesday, we were pretty much working on ourselves,” Quick said. “You start getting into North Mesquite on Thursday and Friday just to get going in that direction.”

Regardless of the opponent, Quick said the focus was simple the rest of the way.

“Every game is important at this point,” Quick said. “We’ve dug ourselves a hole. Now it’s time to get out of it.”

Josh Havard’s email address is josh.havard@lufkindailynews.com.

We have been digging ourselves in a hole for a while now. Surprised we haven't fell through to China by now. When was the last time we won district, 2018? And two years with no playoff appearances and on track for a third straight.

I know coach Quick has to give updates on the team. But I'm past all the "we have to correct mistakes, working on ourselves, continue to get better, etc." Just show me some results of all the hard work and correcting mistakes. Actions speak louder than words. 

We have seen this script many times. Lufkin will come out and most likely dominate N.Mesquite next week. Everyone will feel good and coach will talk about how they corrected mistakes and got back to playing Panther football. He will then mention how they will have to carry that focus over for a big matchup against N.McKinney. We are still not out of the woods with a victory over them. Lufkin will need to be clicking on all cylinders to grab one of those 4 spots. I think the defense will settle in and be fine, once everyone is healthy. The offense is gonna have to mix up. That side of the ball has been too one dimensional.

37 minutes ago, LufkinPack said:

It’s about time for someone to lock this suma gun in 4 wheel drive and get it out 

Hard to do in a Tesla..

People forget that Lane was our starting punter one year. And lead the district in average point yardage. Lane had some of the quickest feet you will see for big man. And was just as light on them. And could catch with the best of them. Dude was talented. I always felt he could’ve been a day 1 or 2 draft pick had he kept his weight in check at A&M. 

43 minutes ago, PackAttack said:

If you don't have a clue what to wear for Halloween, there are options over at MaxPreps.com

😂

9 minutes ago, PackAttack said:

Here is an FYI for you. Lufkin is averaging 15 points per game the past three games.  There is so much more talent to use on this team besides our star running back.  Kedren is a great young man and a great talent and I'm sure he would appreciate the help. 

That really bothers me. Watching them continue to ram him into stacked boxes. They been doing the same thing, since his sophomore year. The young man can only do so much. You compare his usage to Tatum and the Rb for Forney and you see a big difference. This should've been a year were his usage went down. Allow the threat of the run to open up everything else. He would still get his yard, but at a much easier clip. But we can't do that, because our offense has no direction. Like someone said earlier, we don't have an identity.

I mentioned to someone last week. That Longview is better at what they want to do on offense vs what we want to do. If nothing else, Longview will run the ball and be good at it. Or at the very least, the threat of it allows them to set up other things. We just out there throwing darts at a board and hoping something sticks. 

We haven't done much since the Legacy game. Preston, Taylor, Hooper and several others should have more touches. I was excited to see Taylor lined up in the backfield. That play worked for a TD. You have to get those guys the ball. 

I want to say how proud I am of the boys again. Can't say it enough. Those kids never gave up and kept scrapping. Kedren was thrown in at Qb and still managed to lead them to the tying score in the 4th. Javion Johnson gave it his all too. Kid kept trying to come in, despite cramping and who knows what else. He was out there hobbling around and still trying to play. Until he couldn't stand anymore. TJ was on the sidelines encouraging the guys the whole game. Those kids wanted that game. The only stains are the bonehead penalties down the stretch, and some questionable play calling. 

Give these kids the tools they really need to excel. They deserve so much more than what they are getting. 

12 minutes ago, PackAttack said:

Whew! There was some minor hyperventilation when I read that, mind just locked up on that thought, and was not in a positive way. Sorry, don't support such a move.  

😂

Just now, Jon Moxon said:

What about the DC we have now? He was a volunteer assistant before getting a paid job and worked his way up. Our defense looks good with him in charge. 

I think he has done a pretty good job.