Longview Lobo Top 10 Safeties since 2000

The Linebackers list was incredibly difficult to put together, but the safeties list is impossible. Both free safeties and strong safeties are included to make the Top 10 Safeties from Longview since 2000. 

Years: 2012-13

Johnson was a reserve safety in 2012 and made 30 tackles, 1 for loss, 6 pass break ups and 1 INT. As a starter in 2013, Johnson has the argument of being the best player on the field. Laurent made 127 tackles, forced 2 fumbles, recovered 5 fumbles, had 4 pass break ups and 6 interceptions and 1 defensive touchdown. A player with incredible instincts and ferocious tackling ability, Johnson is one of the few forgotten safeties that deserve this spot.

Years: 2006-07
College: Southern Arkansas

From 2007 to 2012 Longview had a strong group of free safeties who were arguably the best defensive players on the field. Jon Writt started the trend of Longview safeties having big tackling numbers. His junior year after starting the year on JV, he started midway, after an injury to Mike Harnage. He finished his junior year with 61 tackles. He took major steps over the summer leading to one of the best seasons recorded. As a senior Writt tallied 150 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 8 pass break ups, and 3 interceptions. Writt set the teams record for tackles in a season, on his way to a first team All East Texas, All District, and honorable mention all state. A memorable moment his senior year came in the second game of the seasons against Marshall. The Mavericks had driven the ball to the 1 inch line in the 2nd quarter of a close game. 1st and goal from the 1 inch line the Mavericks were shut down 4 times in a row. Number 23 was in on all 4 of those tackles. 

Years: 2011-12

Corey Bartley is another member of an outstanding 2011 and 2012 defense that most of you snoozed on. He transferred back into Longview after spending time elsewhere and had an explosive junior year. The 5'6 155 pound free safety finished with 110 tackles, five tackles for losses, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, six passes broken up and two blocked punts, on his way to a 3rd team all state honor. He didn't disappoint in his senior year, making 1st team all state with 138 tackles. Bartley led Longview with seven interceptions, 21 pass breakups, and five kick blocks. He also forced one fumble, recovered one fumble, blocked one punt, and scored one defensive touchdown, all at the 5A level in 2012. Those numbers on a 6'1 frame makes for a division one player. His anticipation skills were bar none. In 2012 against Lufkin, he knew exactly what play Lufkin was running, waited on the receiver to catch a slant and snatched it out of his hands for a touchdown. To have success at safety at that size you've got to have a lot of dog in you. His play should be attached to the Mark Twain quote, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."

Years: 2002-03
College: Kilgore

Keaton Daniels looks like a football player. 6 ft, 180 pounds he was the glue to the defense in 2002 and 2003. Seeing time at strong safety his junior, then moving to his pivotal spot at free as as a senior. Defensive backs live for the turnover. There's nothing more demoralizing to an offense then sudden change. Keaton his junior year was a thorn in the side to opponents. 6 interceptions his junior, 2 taking back for the ultimate prize against Marshall and Ruston and 3 fumble recoveries. Keaton played in the dog days of Lobo Football, back when the Lobos were apart of a 4 team district that played each other twice. That 2002 team finished in a heartbreaking 24-21 loss. 2003 Daniels opened the season off scoring an 85 yard fumble return against Marshall, while also recovering another fumble. 2 weeks later he picked off Lake Highlands, another 2 weeks against Tyler Lee, and his last of his Lobo career coming in defeat against South Garland. In an era where throwing the football was rare, 9 career interceptions from the safety position is immaculate. 

Years: 2008-09

College: Central Arkansas

Alonte' Darden was a 2 year starter. His junior year a 2nd team all stater. His senior year, a first team all stater. All at 5'10, 155 pounds. Darden was a fearless hitter, striking whatever he could, but his baseball roots paid off as he was a ball hawk. Darden had over 80 tackles his junior to go along with 4 interceptions. 3 of those interceptions Darden returned for a touchdowns, one he returned 99 yards against Lancaster in the second round of the playoffs. His senior year Te' was even tougher. He upped his tackles to 130, and though his interception numbers went down to 2, players like Addison McGee and LaDarius Brooks saw their interception numbers increase.

Years: 2007-08
College: Southern Arkansas

Boo, a 2 year letterman, made the most out of his play time his junior season. The first safety come off the bench, number 30 would rotate in at free and strong safety in the defense's dime package. Howard showed his worth breaking up passes and getting an opportunity to return punts. His senior year Howard changed numbers and became an absolute baller. Howard finished his senior year with exceptional numbers. He returned 2 interceptions back for touchdowns and had 4 on the season. Howard had 83 tackles (53 solo), 3 fumbles recovered, 9 pass breakups, and returned 1 punt for a TD. Those numbers were good enough to make Howard 1st Team All State, as well as East Texas and All district. He teamed up with Alonte' Darden, and became the best safety duo to come through Longview. He was number one on my list all the way up until another Howard notched him. 

Years: 2004-05
College: Sam Houston State

First time I've ever seen someone get hit and I said "Oh my God" happened when I saw number 13 smack a receiver who just caught a ball. My eyes went immediately to the program to see just who that was that just obliterated a person. Obliteration is exactly what Cartez Beall did on the field.  Beall was a 1 year starter, finishing as a first team all stater and the district's defensive MVP for 12-5A in 2005 after a 79 tackle, 2 for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 6 pass break ups, and 3 interception season. He teamed with Jarvis Pipins to make one of the best safety duos to come through Longview. Cartez finished as an honorable mention for All State. He was an awesome tackler and one who showed capabilities to close on passes and make plays. He returned an interception for a touchdown his junior year. Beall went on to sign a scholarship with Sam Houston State where he graduated.

Years: 2008-10
College: Northwestern State.

Joe was a 3 year starter for Longview, starting over 35 games and playing in 47 for his career. As a sophomore he was a starter in the nickel package at free safety. He was a contributor to a defense that made their way to a state title game, finishing with 68 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 pass break up and 1 interception. It was a great warm up for what was to come his junior year. Joe racked up a team leading 115 tackles, 3 for loss, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 4 pass break ups 1 interception and 1 defensive touchdown from the strong safety position on his way to earning all district honors. As a senior Joe switched positions to free safety where he became the most important player on the defense, a statement that can't be said about any other player on this list. Joe finished with 163 tackles, 2 for loss, 5 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble, 7 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions that year, resetting the team's tackle record from Writt. Joe was named first team all state and signed a scholarship with Northwestern State University.

Years: 2016-18

College: TCU

Travin Howard got his start as a junior and showed right away he had a knack for the ball. Howard had 64 tackles, 3 for loss, 2 int and 2 pbus. As a senior, Howard became the player we know him for. Howard had 89 tackles, 10 for loss, 1 sack, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 8 pass break ups, 8 interceptions, 1 blocked punt, and 6 defensive touchdowns. Howard's senior year garnered the attention of Gary Patterson and was recruited as a 2 star to play at TCU. Howard redshirted his first year and went on to set the tackle record for defensive players at TCU under Gary Patterson. Howard currently with the Buffalo Bills. 

Years: 2016-18

College: Kilgore

At 5'8 170 lbs. Lister was an absolute machine for Longview. As a sophomore, he was an honorable mention All-State after 91 tackles, 7 for loss, 2 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 pass break ups and an interception. As a junior, he was named 2nd Team All-State after a 144 tackles, 89 solo, 4 for loss, 2 sacks 6 pass break ups, 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 2 blocked kicks. As a Senior he was named 6A Defensive Player of the Year and All-East Texas Defensive MVP after 135 tackles, 6 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. His Swan Song was in round 5. Against Amarillo Tascosa, Lister had 26 tackles and looked like a man possessed. That's 3 years, and 3 All State Recognitions. For a career Lister finished with 370 tackles, 17 for loss, 6 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries and 5 interceptions.