Game:
Allen vs. Longview, Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m., Allen's Eagle Stadium
HS GameTime's spring football rankings:
Allen No. 3 in Class 5A, Longview outside of rankings area
How teams fared in 2009: Allen finished 10-2 and
lost to Southlake Carroll, 35-34, in a thrilling overtime matchup
in the Class 5A Division II area round. Longview finished 14-2
and advanced to its second straight 4A Division I title game. The
Lobos lost, 24-17, in the final to Lake Travis, which won its
third straight 4A championship.
How this
matchup went in 2009: Allen rolled to a 17-0 halftime lead at
Longview's Lobo Stadium, but the Eagles couldn't stop Longview's
power running game in the third quarter. Longview scored 28 consecutive
points in the second half and held on for a 28-25 victory in the
season opener for both teams.
Why this
game matters: Aside from the pride of beating a perennial
powerhouse, Allen and Longview will be making their final
adjustments for district play. Allen returns only four starters and must
replace Matt Brown, a three-year starter at quarterback. Junior
Alec Morris and sophomore Oliver Pierce probably will get a
chance at QB in this game as they try to nail down the starting
position before Allen opens district play against longtime rival
Plano. Allen always has large senior classes, so the potential
for this year's team should begin to show during this third game
of the season.
Longview, which is moving back to
5A after a two-year stint in 4A, also will have a new starting
quarterback to lead its powerful running attack. The new
quarterback is expected to be LaDarrin Robertson, a star receiver
in 2009 who will be tough for Allen defenders to catch in the
open field.
Who has the advantage: Both
programs have established the depth to find quality starters each
season, and the last two games between the teams were evenly
matched. Allen beat Longview, 21-7, in 2008 at Eagle Stadium
before Longview's win last year at home. Each team enjoys a big
home-field advantage, and Allen gets that this time at its cozy Eagle
Stadium, which will be replaced by a new stadium in 2012.
