Lobos, Matadors both enter District 2-3A action seeking pivotal victory
George Watson
First-year Levelland football coach Jared Sanderson isn't shy about saying what the District 2-3A opener against Estacado means to his program.
"A lot of people see Levelland and see the Estacado matchup, and a lot of people think Estacado is going to win the game based on history," Sanderson said. "We feel like it's a momentum-changer for us. It's at a pivotal point in the season for us to come out from the bye in our first district game and it would be good for us to be 1-0 in district play. It's a big game for us."
For the first time in awhile, the Lobos feel they have the kind of team that can be competitive in 2-3A. They are 4-1, their only loss a one-point overtime decision to 5-0 Denver City, and they've played in pretty much every conceivable type of game so far this season.
So Sanderson is confident there is nothing that will rattle his team when it meets the Matadors at 7:30 p.m. today in the district opener at PlainsCapital Park-Lowrey Field.
Except, maybe, Robert Johnson.
That, the Lobos have not seen this year.
Johnson, just about a year removed from suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, is among the state's Class 3A leaders in rushing with 1,251 yards and 15 touchdowns. He's averaging 250 yards per game and just shy of 10 yards every time he touches the football.
Yet the Matadors come into district only 2-3 on the season with two straight losses to Abilene Wylie and Melissa. Head coach Danny Servance said the Mats need to get back to the point where they had several players contributing offensively, not just Johnson.
Quarterback Jaleen Tennison has rushed for 306 yards and three touchdowns and thrown for 284 yards and a score, while fullback Tamory Terry has rushed for 267 yards. Kenaris Jackson leads the receiving corps with eight catches for 197 yards and a touchdown.
"We know teams are going to load the box for Robert and try to stop the running game and make us throw the ball," Servance said. "And we're very capable of doing that. Jaleen did a great job last year throwing the football and he's the same kid.
"We're just going through a learning curve right now with a new offensive coordinator, but I think the kids are coming into their own and I think we'll see some positive things in the passing game."
Unlike Levelland, which had a bye,, the Matadors come into district having actually played last week, dropping a 56-28 decision to a Melissa team that was very explosive offensively. Servance touted that loss as a learning experience that would benefit the players going into district more than it would had the Mats not played last week.
He said they took that loss and have used it positively this week in trying to correct its mistakes, namely turnovers and penalties.
"I think we're ready," linebacker Israel Gonzales said. "I think we're mentally ready and we've worked hard all week. We're working better as a group."
Though maybe not as explosive as Melissa, the Lobos possess several weapons on offense that the Matadors must deal with.
Leading the way is running back DeShawn Fitts, who has rushed for 555 yards and eight touchdowns, followed by Michael Goldbolt, who has 333 yards and a score.
Levelland is also experienced at quarterback with senior Kain Alexander, who has rushed for 190 yards and two touchdowns and thrown for 404 yards and five touchdowns.
"I think we should be ready," Fitts said. "Sometimes we play up and sometimes we play down. But in times when we play up ... I don't think there's anybody out there that can stop us. This year we're like a family and everybody is together and everybody is just working hard."
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CLASS 3A
District 2-3A
Levelland at Estacado
7:30 p.m., PlainsCapital Park-Lowrey Field, Lubbock
Radio: KLVT 1230 AM (Levelland); KFYO 790 AM (Lubbock)
Records: Levelland 4-1, 0-0 in 2-3A; Estacado 2-3, 0-0
Levelland vs. Estacado
Idle Last week lost to Melissa 56-28
335.4 Total offense 427.2
247.6 Total defense 348.2
26.8 Points scored 25.6
22.4 Points allowed 31.8
RB DeShawn Fitts Player to watch RB Robert Johnson
(555 rushing yards, 8 TDs) (1,251 rushing yards, 15 TDs)