Preview: Plano West vs. Lufkin

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Plano West vs. Lufkin

2 pm, Saturday at Waco ISD Stadium

Plano West and Lufkin bring contrasting offensive styles and postseason histories to their 5A Division II Region II regional playoff Saturday in Waco.

West (8-4) has advanced to the third round of the playoffs for the first time in the school’s 14-year history – and the Wolves are breaking new ground with a formidable running game.

Lufkin (9-3) is making its first third-round appearance in the last seven years and extending a streak of 15-straight playoff appearances – primarliy with an aggressive passing game.

West’s running game has thrived with workhorse running back Sotonye Jamabo rushing for 345 yards and 10 TDs in the Wolves’ two playoff wins. Jamabo, a sophomore, has rushed for 1,458 yards and 21 TDs on the season. Junior Auston Anderson has helped carry the load with 860 rushing yards and 10 rushing TDs. Quarterback Travis Korry provides a dual threat, rushing for 839 yards and 14 TDs, while passing for 1,911 yards and 12 TDs. Connor Doyle leads West receiver with 29 receptions for 606 yards and five TDs.

Lufkin, a 56-43 winner over Pflugerville last week, opened the playoffs by knocking off defending 5A Div. II state champion Spring Dekaney, 35-20.

Quarterback Tyler Stubblefield set Lufkin’s single-season passing yardage record last week, while passing for seven touchdowns. He’s passed for 3,125 yards and 35 TDs – with 14 interceptions, and hs rushed for seven TDs. The Panthers offense also features running back Kendrick Mapp (1,186 yards, 14 TDs), and receivers JaBryce Taylor and Keke Coutee, a versatile athlete with almost 900 total yards and 11 TDs. The Panthers have averaged 39.2 points and 428.6 yards per game – and 42.8 points in their current six-game win streak.

West’s running game should continue to churn up big yards, but the Wolves’ biggest test will be slowing down Lufkin’s prolific passing game.