STORY BY: MIKE WRIGHT
Coming off a thrilling 30-28 win over 5-time State Champion Lake Travis, the A&M Consolidated Tigers return to Tigerland Stadium for the District 14-5A opener by hosting the Lufkin Panthers.
Lake Travis had the state’s longest winning streak at 25 prior to last Friday night’s loss to the Tigers. Their consecutive state titles were in Class 4-A, but the move to 5-A in 2012 hadn’t slowed down the Cavaliers, as they were ranked as the state’s top team in two polls, and number two in the Harris Poll. Consolidated will take an impressive 3-1 pre-district record into Friday night’s game, having recorded wins over perennial state powers Copperas Cove, Westlake and Lake Travis. The Tigers’ lone loss in pre-district play came in the second game of the season, falling to the Midway Panthers.
Lufkin is 2-2 under first year head coach Todd Quick, a veteran member of the Panther staff, having previously served for many years as Defensive Coordinator. Quick assumed the head coaching position following the untimely death of well-known and respect Lufkin Head Coach, John Outlaw.
The Panthers offense and defense are ranked 4th in the district, while the Consol offense leads district teams with 405 yards per game. The Tiger defense has the 6th ranked D in district.
Friday night’s game at Tigerland is the first meeting between the two since the mid-90s. Kick-off for the Homecoming game is set for 7:30.