Loboes Host Panthers for District 1-3A Lead
    By Randy Hogan, Staff Writer ~~The Monahans News, October 26, 2007

After outscoring their first three District 1-3A opponents 136-17, the Monahans Loboes expect a much stiffer challenge from Fort Stockton Friday night as the Panthers roll into town with the District lead on the line.

Monahans (4-3 Overall, 3-0 District) is the defending 1-3A champion, but Fort Stockton (6-1 Overall, 3-0 District) will enter Estes Memorial Stadium with upset on there mind.

The Panthers have been phenomenal in 2007 with their only loss being a 27-13 setback against Andrews. Outside of that game, the Blue has been untouchable.

Fort Stockton has averaged 38 points per game and allowed only 14 points to opponents on average for the season.

In District play it has been even more ridiculous as the Panthers have outscored their first three forces 158-48, or to simplify, 52-9 on average.

Francisco Jacquez has been the work horse for Fort Stockton this season and has distanced himself from the entire Permian Basin as the individual rushing leader with 1,234-yards after 7 games.

"He has been a good one for us", FSHS Coach Tom Howard said. He is able to get the edge on the sweeps and has a natural move to bounce it up north when he needs to."

Jacquez has averaged 10-yards per carry and scored 19 touchdown on the ground. In addition he has accounted for 129 yards of the Blue's 842 passing yards on the season and hauled in one touchdown pass.

Panther quarterback Sergio Corral is the teams's second leading rusher with 394-yards on 70 attempts in Coach Howard's I-Pro offensive attack.

In fact, the Panters are the Permian Basin leaders in total offense as well as rushing offense in all classifications of West Texas football, averaging 327-yards rushing and 447 total yards per game.

Corral, a 3-year starter at quarterback, has also been effective when the Panthers have opted to test the air, completing 31 of 70 passes for 623 yards and 5 touchdowns.

"He grew up a lot last year but still made young mistakes," Howard said. "So far this year his mind has slowed down and his feet have caught up."

It's  no secret that the panthers can move the ball offensively, but so can the Loboes. Monahans has averaged 316-yards per game offensively in 2007, but what stands out about that statistic is that four of the seven game were against top- 15 team in Texas football.

The Loboes are grinding out 223 yards per game on the ground and are posting just under 100 yards per game by way of the pass.

In fact, it was the passing game that made the difference in last year's 35-0 romp over the Panthers and propelled the Green into their second consecutive District title reign.

"We know what the downfall was," Howard said. "Our run defense was awesome all year long, but people started throwing on us, and our pass defense was horrible. We made some adjustments in the spring."

The Panther defense has already intercepted 11passes in 2007and are allowing a respectable 130 yards passing per game.

Howard expects the run defense to be solid again, as senior defensive tackle Rene Corral leads  the Panthers Base 50 defense.

Corral leads the Blue with 50 tackles and 6 sacks for the season.

"Our front three are back, and that's the key to it," Howard said. "We are not huge, but we are quick, and that's what our scheme requires to be effective."

As a team, Fort Stockton has allowed 1,653 yards, which averages out to 251 years per game for the Permian Basin' seventh stingiest defense.

Monahans Coach Mickey Owens knows that defense wins championships, and such will be case in point for the Green to retain their title Friday night.

Speaking of defense, the Mean Green Wrecking Machine smothered the big-party Fabens offense and allowed a mere 59 total yards the entire game.

"Our defense played real well," Owens said. "Some of the young guys are starting to get more comfortable and are just playing harder."

Monahans has allowed an average of 258 yards per game on the season, but have stepped up the pressure in District play and pitched two consecutive shutouts while limiting Clint and Fabens to less than 100 total offensive yards in those shutouts victories.

Clay Anthony and Trevor Owens lead the Loboes with 61 tackles each on the season, complimented by Jorge Arriola's 58 tackles.

Friday night's game  will pit two longtime rivals vying a playoff position, but more importantly sole possession of the District -3A lead.

"District games are always big, but whoever wins this has one has got the inside track for the District championship," Owens said.

Historically, Fort Stockton has been tough as nails when they play the Loboes, and this year appears to be no exception with the title on the line. Expect the game to be won in the trenches as both teams will test the will of the other with their potent rushing attacks.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm at Estes Memorial Stadium.

 keyed by Jennifer Lario, Junior 07-08