LionBacker99

Ball on the 1. Goal line stand to come

2 minutes to go Orangefield 10 yards out

Orangefield slowly driving downfield

28-7 Palestine final. A rough game overall with a little bit of sloppy play on both sides. Livingston was just outmatched overall. On to the next one 😬.

Livingston was up 14 with about 1:15 left. Needville scored in I think three plays starting from midfield, and went for an onside kick. The Lions recovered, but with 50 seconds left fumbled the first play on a toss, Blue Jays recovering. With one time out, they drove (if you can call another three plays a drive) down the field and dove into the end zone with 15 seconds left, and converted for two for a one point lead. Needville pooched the kick, and the Lions ran a play or two and got to Needville's 35. Down one, the field goal unit took the field, but the kick was blocked to end the game. Oh to be a Lions fan. Wouldn't trade it for anything. That aside, it was a great game and Livingston is looking much better than in years past. Will be interested to see what we can do over the rest of the season.

Tarkington wins the 3rd set, 25-23 again.

Livingston wins first set 25-13, Tarkington takes the second 25-23.

I wouldn't say we're not good at anything. Last season softball won district, our tennis team is pretty good and I think won district this year. Although our baseball team didn't make the playoffs last year, they're still competitive and I expect them to make the playoffs this year. Our girls basketball and volleyball teams have squeezed into the playoffs the last couple of years as well. Our golf team has even experienced a decent amount of success if i'm not mistaken. Granted, I don't remember the last time we've reached the second round of anything, but there are a few sports we aren't too bad at.

I think the main problems right now is the combination of hardly any talent and a lack of a winning culture. I love our kids to death, but I can't say God blessed this group with a whole lot of athletic ability. When you combine that with the lack of a winning culture that Livingston has, this is about the guaranteed product you would imagine. Before these last few years I always thought it was silly to say that kids "just don't know how to win," but goodness gracious we just don't know how to win.

Those were the last 2 really good groups we had. Dustin went in to play corner and was a return man at Texas A&M, and one season I believe he led the NCAA in yards per return. Collins and Mays played together one year, but it was Mays’ senior year and if I remember correctly he went out for the season about midway through with an injury. And Collins was our QB that went to UT, although I don’t think he ever played there. And I wouldn’t say the talent left with Rowe- his last season here went 1-9 in 4A. In my opinion he left when the talent left. He got off the ship before it sunk. I think Broussard did a lot of good things to try to get Livingston back on track, but between the kids, parents, administration, and school board, I don’t there was much he could do. Vanover is proven to be a successful coach, and he’s trying to figure out how he can get Livingston to become the type of program he’s familiar with running. The only thing is, I think he knows he has a lot of work to do. But I’m all in for anything he thinks is good for the program and he has my support for sure.

There are still a couple of us Lions that like to read through the comments, but as you can imagine we don't have to much to say. As much as I hate to say it, our program, at least at the varsity level, is about the worst I've seen. Its just awful. To me, it looks like our kids try their best, and I can't say I've seen them through in the towel any game, but we just don't have any size, speed, or frankly talent outside of a couple kids. The culture in Livingston is one of the biggest problems in my opinion. We don't breed winners over here. The kids aren't expected to win, and honestly it looks like we don't know how. For the sake of the players I hope they can this week and maybe get some momentum rolling. Coach Vanover and his staff seem like they're giving everything they've got, but with what we've got right now I don't think there is a recipe for success. I've heard our freshman team has been looking pretty good, so maybe in a couple years we can get back to being some contenders, but for now we're just looking for a win.

As much as I hate to say it, I'm not sure who said we've had move-ins let alone that we have 5a numbers turning out. Sadly I havn't been as in tune as I used to be, but I'm pretty sure our numbers are still pretty low. This first week of practice I believe we only have around 25 freshmen showing up. But the new coaching staff has brought in some new excitement and everyone seems to love them all. I hope the teams (and towns) optimism keeps up, and moving down to 4A has certainly encouraged that. I just really hope that the Lions can see some success this year. A playoff birth would be huge for the town and I think it would make a big difference in the coming years by having more kids participate and keeping interest up. Over the past few years we've had a lot of talent walk the halls because they "don't want to play for a loosing team." Nonetheless I have high hopes for the Lions this year

Thanks guys, glad to know you would all be willing to make an exception! Haha! But jokes aside, we will keep praying for you all as everyone continues to recover.

I believe so, but I'm not 100% sure.

Livingston won 4-2.

Any results here?

Personally I think 22-5a is very competitive in the top 5. PNG does seem to be playing on another level, but did have a couple of close games that could have gone either way. Vidor, Nederland, Lumberton, and Livingston seem pretty even to me. It looks like they can all beat each other on any given night. They are all respectable teams. It will be interesting to see how the standings shake out.

Livingston wins 11-0.

Sounds good and thanks!

Well I appreciate that we're at least a little better than everyone thought. And yes, I will be there tonight and I'm really looking forward to it! Of course Livingston is hoping for the best and everyone seems really optimistic, but I'm a bit more of a realist. I think Vidor will win, but I don't think it will be by more than a couple of possessions. Our defense struggled at being consistent last week against Lee so that's not a good sign. The offense has been getting better every week, so I'm excited to see how they play tonight. If Livingston wins I think it will be because they have one more bullet in the chamber at the end of the shoot out. Either way we are all really excited!

Do you happen to have a projected score or anything? Just curious to know what Vidor fans are expecting tonight

As much as I hate to say it, I think Vidor will have the upper hand in this one. Livingston definitely has the team to make some noise and win this one, but the way Vidor runs the ball I believe will be a little to much for our defense. If our offense can continue to threaten over the top, it should open up the running game for a solid balanced attack. If the offense keeps the ball moving and limits turnover, it could easily become an exciting shootout. But, if anyone can help me out here, what defense does Vidor run again? I'm a bit lacking in memory.

Definitely to much football still to play, but still lots of fun to think about!

Correct me if I am wrong, but looking at the playoff picture, there could easily be a three way tie for two playoff spots with a 5-3 or a three way tie for one playoff spot with a 4-4 record. I think it is safe to say PAM is finishing 8-0. Just for the sake of the conversation, let's say Vidor edges out PNG to finish district 7-1. So here goes the first scenario- PNG finishes the season with losses to PAM, Vidor, and Nederland, (not predicting, just imagining.) 5-3. Nederland holds its playoff hopes together, finishing 5-3. Livingston vs Central will be huge. If Livingston wins, they can finish out only losing to Vidor and PAM. 5-3. But if Central wins this game, oh boy here we go again. So here we go with a 3 way tie with a 4-4 record for one playoff spot. Again, PAM and Vidor win out and go first and second. For this scenario, say PNG beats Nederland and finishes 6-2, putting Nederland at a 4-4 record. Here is where the Livingston/Central game is big. If Central wins, they should finish 4-4 with loses to PAM, Vidor, PNG, and Nederland. A Central win here gives a loss to Livingston, (assuming the Lions beat Ozen and Lee, and lose to Vidor and PAM,) giving the Lions an even 4-4 record. I wouldn't count Lumberton out either. They can defiantly add another loss to just about any team in the district. I know I confused myself multiple times thinking all this through, so correct me if I am wrong. I'm not picking winners or losers, just trying to think outside the box a little bit and contribute to some conversation I guess. Either way good luck to everyone for the rest of the season, it's looking like it will be a great one!