Lufkin head football coach Carl Abseck engaged in a question-and-answer session with sports editor Edwin Quarles following the Panthers” 35-10 victory over Houston Westbury in their opening-round playoff game. With this win, Lufkin, boasting an 8-3 record, moves on to the second round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs for the second consecutive year. This Friday at 7 p.m., they will face Pflugerville Weiss (9-2) at Woodforest Bank Stadium in Shenandoah.
Pflugerville Weiss, entering the playoffs as the fourth seed from District 12-5A DI, upset LaPorte, which was ranked seventh in Class 5A Division I, with a score of 42-35. Weiss concluded district play with a significant 28-7 win over Austin Anderson, the district champion.
During the question-and-answer session, Coach Abseck provided insights into his upcoming opponent. When asked about watching the Pflugerville Weiss game against LaPorte, Abseck remarked, “It was a very impressive performance by them to come back and beat them after being down 35-14 at halftime. Their kids showed a lot of character and grit.” He noted that Weiss is a talented team with strong offensive and defensive capabilities, stating, “They”re not a normal four seed and they”re just 12 points away from being undefeated.” Abseck emphasized that Weiss had come close to winning against tough opponents, suffering narrow losses to College Station and A&M Consolidated.
Regarding Weiss” offensive strategies, Abseck highlighted their three talented receivers and a quarterback who started every game as a freshman last year. “He does a good job of getting the ball to his guys in space,” Abseck said, adding that Weiss is versatile in its approach, capable of running a spread offense while also adapting to game situations.
On the defensive side, Abseck praised Weiss for their hard work and adaptability, noting their ability to adjust and stifle LaPorte”s run game in the second half of their playoff game. “Their D-line is really talented, and they have very athletic linebackers,” he pointed out, indicating that their defensive front will be a significant challenge.
Abseck also discussed the competitive nature of the region, pointing out that every team is capable of defeating another on any given night. He reflected on how injuries can impact a team”s performance, recalling his own experience when injuries affected his team during a championship run in 2010.
As for Lufkin”s recent performance, Abseck noted their offensive success against Westbury, where they utilized various players, including Keshawn Waters, who scored a touchdown in his first offensive appearance. “We wanted to get a lot of people involved and get people opportunities,” he explained.
Defensively, Lufkin managed to secure three interceptions in their victory against Westbury, which Abseck described as a strong performance overall. He acknowledged room for improvement but emphasized that the defense made timely stops that contributed to their success.
As Lufkin prepares for their next challenge against Pflugerville Weiss, Coach Abseck”s observations and strategies will be crucial as the Panthers aim for continued success in the playoffs.
