You know how it is in East Texas. Friday night isn't just a time on the clock; it’s a whole mood that smells like concession stand popcorn and diesel exhaust. If you’ve ever stood in the stands at Lobo Stadium, you understand that the Longview Lobo football schedule is basically the heartbeat of the community. But honestly, just looking at a list of dates and times doesn’t give you the full story of what went down this past year or what’s coming next for the Green and Gold.
This season was a wild ride. We saw a team that lost a massive chunk of its starting roster from the previous state-semifinal run try to find its identity in real-time. It wasn't always pretty, but it was definitely Longview football. People like to think the Lobos are an invincible machine, but 2025 proved they’re human—though still incredibly dangerous when the lights come on.
The Reality of the Longview Lobo Football Schedule
Looking back at the 2025 stretch, the schedule was a brutal gauntlet. Coach John King, now in his 22nd season with a record that most coaches would sell their souls for, didn't do his young squad any favors with the non-district lineup. They started hot, knocking off Lufkin 41-16 and handling Marshall 20-7 in back-to-back rivalry games. It felt like the "same old Lobos" until the road trips started.
The mid-September slump was real. A heartbreaker 20-17 loss to Dallas South Oak Cliff followed by a 38-35 shootout loss at Ruston in Louisiana had some fans hitting the panic button. But that’s the thing about this program. They don’t crumble. They just get meaner.
2025 Season Results at a Glance
- Aug 29: vs Lufkin (W 41-16) - The 88th annual East Texas showdown started with a bang.
- Sep 05: vs Marshall (W 20-7) - A defensive grind where the Lobos held the Mavs scoreless in the second half.
- Sep 12: at Dallas South Oak Cliff (L 17-20) - A defensive battle that slipped away in the fourth.
- Sep 19: at Ruston, LA (L 35-38) - High-scoring chaos across state lines.
- Oct 03: at Rockwall (W 35-21) - The district opener where the Lobos proved they still own the 903.
- Oct 10: vs Forney (L 24-28) - A tough home loss against a surging Jackrabbit team.
- Oct 17: at Tyler Legacy (W 63-20) - Total dominance at Rose Stadium.
- Oct 24: vs Rockwall-Heath (W 31-7) - Smothering defense at its best.
- Oct 31: at North Forney (L 55-56) - A literal heart-stopper. One point. That’s it.
- Nov 07: vs Royse City (W 52-24) - Capped the regular season with a statement win.
Why District 10-6A Changed Everything
Moving into the 6A classification wasn't just a bump in school size; it changed the travel and the intensity. Longview ended the regular season 7-4 overall and 4-2 in district play. That might look "average" to an outsider, but in a district featuring Forney and Rockwall-Heath, it’s a dogfight every single week.
The loss to North Forney on Halloween was probably the weirdest game of the year. 56-55? In high school? It felt like neither defense showed up, but the truth is, the speed on the field was just too much for anyone to contain. The Lobos eventually finished 3rd in the district standings, setting up a playoff path that took them through Garland and Waco.
Key Players Who Carried the Weight
You can’t talk about the schedule without talking about the kids playing it. Johnny Hamilton, the junior quarterback, had to step into some massive shoes. He finished with over 1,400 passing yards and 14 touchdowns. He’s got that dual-threat spark that Coach King loves.
Then there’s Mason Washington. The senior running back was the workhorse, racking up 532 yards and 9 rushing touchdowns. When the Lobos needed four yards on 3rd and short, everyone in the stadium knew #23 was getting the rock, and he usually delivered. On the outside, Jaden Hurndon emerged as a legitimate threat, hauling in 8 touchdowns and nearly 800 yards.
On the defensive side, Lawson Tubb was everywhere. 92 tackles. That’s a "hat on the ball" mentality. Bradley Williams and Da'Kayden Carter kept the secondary locked down, but the graduation of so many veterans from the 2024 class meant these guys were playing high-stakes football without much of a safety net.
The Postseason Run and the Reality Check
The Bi-District round against Rowlett was a massacre. 63-7. It reminded everyone that when Longview is clicking, they are a terrifying force of nature. They looked like state contenders again.
Then came the Area round against DeSoto at Waco ISD Stadium. DeSoto is a different beast entirely. The 60-28 loss was a tough pill to swallow, but it highlighted the gap between being a great East Texas team and a top-tier 6A state power.
Tickets for those playoff games usually run about $8 to $11, but the atmosphere is worth way more. If you missed the games in person, the Longview ISD Athletics YouTube channel and the NFHS Network have been the go-to spots for streaming. Honestly, nothing beats being there, but watching the replay of the Marshall win at 2 AM is a close second.
What to Expect for the 2026-2027 Cycle
The UIL realignment recently dropped, and Longview is staying in 6A with an enrollment of around 2,400. They’ll be competing in the 2026-2028 cycle against many of the same faces. The expectations aren't changing. Coach King has 24 straight playoff appearances. That’s a generation of dominance.
If you’re planning to attend a game at Lobo Stadium next year, keep a few things in mind. Tickets at the gate are credit card only now. No cash. Parking at some of these away venues, like Waco or Dallas, can be a headache, usually costing around $5 to $10.
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The biggest question for the upcoming Longview Lobo football schedule is how the defense rebuilds its front line. They lost some serious size in the trenches. But if history tells us anything, there’s a group of sophomores and juniors currently lifting weights who are ready to become the next legends in East Texas.
Actionable Steps for Lobo Fans
- Check the Official Site: Bookmark the Lobo History schedule page for the most accurate kickoff times and locations, especially for JV and Freshmen games.
- Get Your Gear Early: Lobo Stadium is notorious for selling out of specific merch sizes during rivalry weeks (Lufkin/Marshall).
- Digital Tickets Only: Download the ticketing app favored by Longview ISD (usually HomeTown Ticketing) to avoid the long lines at the gate.
- Watch the Replays: If you want to scout the talent, the Longview ISD Athletics YouTube channel archives full game broadcasts that are perfect for seeing which underclassmen are stepping up.
The schedule is more than just a list of games; it's a test of whether the program can reload instead of rebuild. We’ve seen the Lobos do it before, and despite the 6A challenges, nobody in East Texas is betting against them.