January 16, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 9 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session
HONORING THE LONGVIEW HIGH SCHOOL LOBOS, 2018 CLASS 6A DIVISION II TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 9
(Extensions of Remarks - January 16, 2019)
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[Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E51-E52] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] HONORING THE LONGVIEW HIGH SCHOOL LOBOS, 2018 CLASS 6A DIVISION II TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS ______ HON. LOUIE GOHMERT of texas in the house of representatives Wednesday, January 16, 2019 Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, it may have taken eighty-one years, but the doggedness and passion that fueled the city of Longview, Texas, to harness the great oil boom and a state championship title in 1937 has once again proven undauntable--resulting in the Longview High School Lobos capturing the top rung in Texas high school athletics to become the 2018 Class 6A Division II Texas State High School Football Champions. As the Lobos' fight song attests, the team was determined to ``circle in and hit them hard'' when facing the tangle with the Beaumont West Brook Bruins, culminating in a thrilling 35-34 victory for the Wolf Pack in front of a spectacular throng numbering more than 48,000 strong, a big majority of which were apparently loyal Lobos fans. The down-to-the-wire fight was the culmination of a perfect 16-0 season for the Lobos, and was even more gratifying since the Lobos had faced West Brook in the playoffs for three straight years. This was the first opportunity, however, for the two teams to grapple for the state trophy. This represented the first top tier title opportunity for the Lobos after decades of near misses and close calls, providing passionate fans a long season to bask in the momentum and a history making trip to capture state wide bragging rights. Though the Lobos were down at halftime 28 to 20, they certainly were not out because of their heart, their talent, their coaching and their community support. This was a Longview team that simply refused to stay down, and refused to lose. And the Lobos earned those bragging rights in spectacular fashion, coming from behind in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter to secure a fantastic win. Trailing Beaumont West Brook 34-29 with 8:17 left in the 4th quarter, Quarterback Haynes King's outstanding passing pushed the Lobos offense to West Brook's red zone. Stalwart running back Jessie Anderson then punched through to the end zone, giving the Lobos a 35-34 lead with 4:42 left in the game. The Lobos were ahead by one, but played the odds and went for two points in case West Brook tried a field goal. Though the extra two-point conversion was unsuccessful, the two were unneeded because of the way the Lobo defense, yet again, rose to the occasion and crushed the Bruins' comeback attempt along with their hopes for victory. No question Beaumont West Brook deserved to be in the State Championship, had an absolutely fabulous team, and played a stellar game. But the Longview Lobos proved they had everything a fan could want in an unbeatable football team. They made Longview, Gregg County, and all East Texas swell with pride. The game's Offensive Most Valuable Player was Lobo quarterback Haynes King who was 16-of-27 for 423 passing yards. He connected on two touchdown passes and rushed for a touchdown as part of his 65 rushing yards. Kamden Perry secured a Class 6A state championship game record of 8 catches for 218 yards including a 77-yard touchdown catch. Perry's amazing reception record was joined by Kaden Kearbey's great catches that added another 87 yards, which included a touchdown on a 40-yard catch. Kyas Moore, who also has another year to play with the Lobos, caught a breathtaking pass that took Longview 54 yards down the field on their 4th quarter go-ahead drive. Though Jessie Anderson's total rushing yards was not his high this year, he showed once again how incredibly valuable he is to this championship team. His two touchdowns on two punishing runs showed him to be a weapon that is anything but secret. In fact, his second touchdown was the final and go-ahead score of the game. The Lobo defense showed the huge crowd at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington that both sides of the ball deserved to be State Champs. Tyshawn Taylor made 11 brutal tackles, including pairing with a crashing hit by Ja'Vontae Writt, creating a final Bruin drive-stop because of its recovery by Micheal Martin with 1:02 left in the game. The Defensive Most Valuable Player was Jephaniah Lister with a team- high 12 tackles. Yet another defensive standout was Isiah Rodgers who had 10 tackles and one broken up pass. Of course the play of Robert Pierce and Jaylon Allen have to be mentioned as they both participated in an important sack. As many college and pro teams have learned, a team must have a good kicker to be of championship caliber which is exactly what the Lobos have in J.K. Martin, who kicked a fourth quarter 28-yard field goal, and four times prevented any runback at all with touchbacks in the end zone. He also showed college quality in averaging 44 yards on his two punts. Proving who had the better offense not only with the score, Longview had 569 yards of total offense compared to 493 by West Brook. After the Lobo go-ahead score in the 4th quarter, West Brook Bruins took the Lobo kick off and began their drive to try to retake the lead. But that is when the crushing blow created the fumble Martin recovered. Even then the game was not on ice until a first down was made by a long run by Keilyn Williams to create a first and goal with only 2:08 to play, but Longview showed its grace in victory by taking a knee until the clock ran out and the Lobos' stellar win was secure. It is an esteemed honor to pay tribute to the members of the 2018 state championship Longview Lobos team: Otarvio Buchanan, Jephaniah Lister, Kybrien Jackson-Jamerson, Ja'vontae Writt, Ty'monyahe Abney, Jessie Anderson, Cedric Hopkins, Dylan Davis, Jacob Johnson, Daquavion Randall, Jy'christon Baxter, Haynes King, Marqualon Haynes, Kamden Perry, Jayden Williams, Jecoby Jackson, Jordan Malone, Spiro Mijalis, Da'kiemion Mumphrey, Datravious Nelson, Micheal Martin, Markevion Haynes, J.K. Martin, Tyree Hale, Kameron Sublett, Keith Halton, Dalton Serrato, Kaden Kearbey, Jacobie Bowman, Keilyn Williams, Patrick Webb, Cameron Wilson, Jakobe Ross, Isiah Rodgers, Jaharious Jones, Jamien Horne, Dezmond Armstrong, Reginald Hutchins, De'leon Jones, Tainique Taylor, Aisaiah Taylor, Charlie Templeton, Shannon Jackson, Kevin Jones, Robert Vinson, Tyshawn Taylor, De'cameron Thomas, Kaden Meredith, Jacorey Valentine, Lavayvian Godlock, Davyon Mitchell, Laqualon Hale, Asiyas Hall, Alex Zulueta, Hunter Jones, Coy Sanders, [[Page E52]] Corey Evans, Davian Reese, Harvey Boyd, Dasabrian Parker, Logan Noguera, Logan Peters, Dakirin Buchanan, Ruben Flores, Robert Pierce, Xavier Blanton, Andrew Beltran, Brandon Snyder, Bryant Arthur III, Timothy Polk, Syre Moore, Kaleb Snoddy, Jahkamian Carr, Daniel Mancha, Devin Brooks, Bailey Smith, Xabier Evans, Isaiah George, Joaquin Tovar, Leundrae Craven, Brady Miller, Kevon Green, Brian Bell, Jacob Warner, Marcus Williams, Alessandro Lazalde, Marcus Harry, Gavin Roberts, Jhy'mhriyon Gay, Jamie Jones, Connor Cox, Parker Cox, Cedric Smith, Daniel Warner, Lakeithan Duffey, Jonathan Tutt, Logan Washburn, Eliyjah Cox, Elijah Byrd, Malik Miller, Da'qwaylen Reed, Tavion Sterling, Trevor Ford, David Parks, Kaylon Allen, Damykal Mcmillan, Anthony Parker, Jakeilan Howard, Quintele Jackson, Kyas Moore, Trevor N. Tamplin, Miguel Maldonado, Daze Wallace, Kenterias Parker, Asriel Jones, Austin Pencheon, Jorge Rebollar, Samuel Mijalis, Jhailon Braden, Asontte Smith, Aiden Diaz, Jaydyn James-Rollins, Michael Mavhunga, Antonio Onofre, Sawyer Goram-Welch, Joe Jones, Kiyaus Ingram, Owen Kuenemann, Spencer Powell, Jonathon Davis, Jared Reese, Carlos Vazquez, Jordan Wallace, and Jaylon Allen. The Lobos are a perfect representation of what can be accomplished when a team possesses both perseverance and discipline, combined with motivation, guidance, and resolve from an experienced and proficient coaching staff. Among those individuals committed to ``Making A Difference: One Student At A Time'' are: Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox; Assistant Superintendent Secondary Education James Brewer, Athletic Director/Head Football Coach John King; Assistant Athletic Director Johnny Hamilton; Football Staff consisting of Oscar Wilson, Chris Vallery, Jon Writt, C.J. Lottinger, David Ashley, Casey Pearce, Randy Huffstickler, Scott Hartt, Chris Lashley, Brandon Bonds, Trevor Murphy, Brad Faulkner, Tracy Carpenter, Jalen Claiborne, Robert Hanna, Cade Carnett; Athletic Trainers Deirdre Scotter, Jessica Hill, Kristin Croley; as well as Band Director Tommy Moore, Viewette Director Deborah Mcgowan, and Cheerleader Sponsor Heather Gee. It is with great pride that I join with the citizens of Longview, as well as the entire First District of Texas, in congratulating the Longview Lobos on their State Football Championship. This is an outstanding accomplishment, and may God continue to bless these young people, along with their families, friends and neighbors in Longview. ____________________