LOBOS HIT ROAD FOR SHOWDOWN WITH NO. 1 RUSTON

Longview will face its toughest test of the young season Friday when the unbeaten Lobos travel across the state line to take on Louisiana power Ruston at Hoss Garrett Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Ruston, Louisiana.

Longview enters the non-district matchup 2-0 after dominating its first two opponents.

The Lobos opened the season with a 59-7 victory at Lufkin before rolling past Marshall 61-13 Friday at Lobo Stadium. Longview has outscored its opponents 120-20 through two games.

Ruston is 1-0 after opening its season with a convincing 42-16 victory against longtime rival Neville.

The Bearcats are ranked No. 1 in Class 5A in the latest Louisiana Sports Writers Association poll, receiving 10 first-place votes. Ruston is also ranked No. 1 in Louisiana’s Division I Non-Select classification by MaxPreps.

Ruston has reached the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Division I Non-Select championship game four consecutive seasons. The Bearcats won the state title in 2023 before finishing as runner-up in 2024 and 2025.

Friday will mark the 14th football meeting between Longview and Ruston. The Lobos lead the all-time series 7-6, but the Bearcats have won the past two meetings.

Ruston defeated Longview 21-10 at Lobo Stadium in 2024 before holding off the Lobos 38-35 last season in Ruston. Longview’s most recent win in the series came in 2018, when the Lobos won 56-28 in Louisiana.

Longview quarterback Trey Hamilton is coming off a strong performance against Marshall, throwing four first-half touchdown passes as the Lobos built a commanding halftime lead. Longview scored 48 points before halftime in the 61-13 victory.

There is also a familiar face on the opposite sideline.

Ruston head coach Jerrod Baugh spent 10 seasons on the Longview coaching staff beginning in 2000 and served as the Lobos’ offensive coordinator during his tenure. Baugh coached alongside current Longview head coach John King and has maintained close ties to the Longview program.

Before the varsity teams meet Friday, Longview’s freshmen and junior varsity teams will host Ruston on Thursday, Sept. 10, at Lobo Stadium.

The freshman game begins at 5 p.m., followed by the JV game at 6:30 p.m. Ruston’s official schedule lists both lower-level games at Longview.

Tickets for Thursday’s games and Friday’s varsity game are available on the Lobos Football Ticket Information page.

Longview will open District 10-6A play the following week when the Lobos host North Forney at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at Lobo Stadium.

Photo by Ginger Cannon