The Texas High School playoffs are starting to wind down to the end, and elite match ups lined up for the next three weeks. Tonight a battle of undefeated powerhouses took place in Mesquite, Texas as the Longview Lobos faced off against the Mansfield Timberview Wolves. Both teams are stacked in talent with commits from Alabama, Texas, Texas Tech and more all on the field tonight.
To start the game the Lobos kicked off to Mansfield Timberview, but came out firing on defense. The Wolves fumbled the ball away after moving into Longview territory and it didn’t take long for Longview to capitalize on that. Four-star running back Taylor Tatum had a monster night, starting off with his 1st touchdown to give the Lobos an early 7-0 lead.
The Wolves responded back with a huge rushing touchdown by Cameron Bates. The junior quarterback showed a lot of grit breaking multiple tackles to get himself in the end zone. With 2:55 left in the 1st quarter, the game was tied.
Both teams’ offenses started to click in the second quarter. Less than five minutes into the quarter both teams would score again. Longview was able to retake their lead with another Taylor Tatum rushing touchdown. On Timberview’s next drive Cameron Bates showed off his arm completing a crucial third down, and then found Savion McKinnon in the endzone. After those drives though the defenses stiffened up and prevented any more points being scored.
Longview received the second half kickoff and kept their foot on the gas pedal. Taylor Tatum flexed out as a receiver, and continued to put on a show for the crowd (Steve Sarkasian included). Jordan Allen threw a perfect fade ball to the four-star and gave Tatum his third TD of the game. Lobo lead.
Jarvis Reed wouldn’t let that lead last long though. Bates handed the ball off to Reed who would turn on the jets and take the ball 60 yards to the crib. All of a sudden the game was tied once again, 21-21, with eight minutes in the 3rd quarter.
Unfortunately Taylor Tatum just could not be stopped, and broke off a 58 yard touchdown of his own just a few moments later. After this the Lobos really started to pull away from Timberview. The first play of the 4th quarter was a Longview field goal to extend their lead to 10 points.
The Lobo defense would continue to apply pressure with multiple sacks and prevent anymore points to be scored on the night. With about six minutes left in the game Tatum punched in his 5th touchdown on the night and put the game officially out of reach for Mansfield Timberview. The game would finish 37-21, and have the Longview Lobos move on to the 5A-I semi finals.
Taylor Tatum pretty much single handedly won the game with 210 total yards and five touchdowns. Longview had a total of 294 yards offensively which means Tatum accounted for over 70% of the offense. Jordan Allen went 5 for 5 for 44 yards and a touchdown on the night.
