Before the name “Dez Bryant” came into the lexicon of the Lufkin faithful, the Panthers were known for speed. This year was no different, Lufkin had speed all over the field, but especially in its offensive skill positions, which translated into buckets of points every time the Pack touched the turf.
They scored 54 on Parkway (LA), they dumped 42 on The Woodlands, they dropped a whopping 63 on Beaumont West Brook, and they hammered 49 into John Tyler. Here’s the problem with these insanely high point totals: Lufkin lost all of these games.
The Pack’s defense was underwhelming against top competition, but being able to pull that many wins out of a year where your defense struggles that much in high profile games is a feat indeed. All the Pack needs to do is stay the course on offense and get a few more stops on defense to reach further than they did in 2016.
Key Losses
QB Kordell Rodgers, WR Dhalion Phillips, WR Javante Ellington, RB Khalil Brown, DE Jadrian Taylor
Unfortunately for the Pack, staying the course on offense will mean replacing District 12-6A Offensive Player of the Year Kordell Rodgers, who was an absolute nightmare for opposing defenses. A huge chunk of the explosive portion of the Lufkin offense ran through him, and replacing him will not be easy.
Also leaving the offense will be Dhalion Phillips, Javante Ellington, and Khalil Brown. Phillips and Ellington were invaluable targets for Rodgers when the original play broke down, and Brown’s ability to bully linebackers and safeties with the rock in his hands will be something missing from Lufkin in 2016.
One of the bright spots on the Pack’s defense was Jadrian Taylor, who earned 1st Team All-District honors. His presence as a bookend and his motor will be missed, Taylor didn’t give up on plays.
Key Returners
SS/WR Savon Fields, DT Jamal Arthur, OLB/RB Isaiah Phillips, WR Malik Jackson, WR Jeremiah Davis
Here’s the good news for the Pack’s defense: they have a good amount of experience returning. Jamal Arthur, fresh off a 2nd Team All-District season, will return to provide stability in the middle of that defensive front. Isaiah Phillips will likely see his load at running back increase, as well as continuing to contribute at linebacker. Hard-hitting Savon Fields is a guy that could be a breakout star in this district.
On offense, whoever will be taking the snaps will have lots of help. Malik Jackson and Jeremiah Davis are both excellent wide receivers. It’s hard to say whether the Pack’s offense will be as good as it was with the uncertainty of a new quarterback, but they shouldn’t have trouble putting points on the board.
The Verdict
Lufkin is a hard team to predict for many reasons. They return a fair amount of starters from a defense that was excellent in some games and got torched in others. The loss of Kordell Rodgers will hurt tremendously, but the remaining speed at wide receiver leads me to believe that not all is lost.
Their schedule is interesting too, they’ll have to travel to face Beaumont West Brook, but they’ll get The Woodlands, arguably their toughest district opponent, at home.
Lufkin is easily top-tier in their district, but beyond that, we can’t really get a good bead on them as far as outside of district play. In fact, we can’t really get a good bead on most of this district, especially after the coaching changes at West Brook, the loss of Rodgers with Lufkin, and the incredible senior class that leaves The Woodlands.
Despite all of this, I feel comfortable predicting Lufkin as a lock for a playoff spot and a lock to win at least one playoff game. They have too much speed, and they have the name-brand recognition, something that matters in Texas high school football. Lufkin won’t look the same, but they’ll likely produce an incredibly similar season in their 2016 campaign.
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