Top 10 Longview Defenses since 2000

Coaches John Berry and Casey Pearce have had some of the most elite defenses in the state of Texas. Here are the very best defenses from Longview since 2000. 

2018 - 19.68 - 16 games

Led by 6A Defensive Player of the Year Jephaniah Lister, the 2018 defense brings in the tenth spot. Lister led the defense with 135 tackles, including 102 solos. Ja'Vonta Writt was second on the team with 128 tackles, 15 for loss. 2018 flaunted a heavy defensive line rotation spear headed by Jaylon Allen with 8 sacks. Tyshawn Taylor, Dakirin Buchanan, and Robert Pierce are some of the other standouts.

2012 - 18.38 - 13 games

The 2012 Lobos finished with a 3 way tie for tackles leader between seniors and 3 year starter DeMarkus Lathan, Taurrean Sheppard, and Corey Bartley at 138. Nakia Brown electrified with 4 PR Tds, and 3 year letterman Jaylon Porter and Cornelius Williams, meshed with Tray Allen, DeRoderick Alexander and ZayCoven Henderson, to form one of the most formidable defensive lines.

2009 - 16.32 ppg - 16 games

This was a dominant group of ball players, with stars at every single level on the field. Bubba Vactor and Jeremiah Farley clogged the middle. Chris Weaver and Trestin Coleman were solid at DE. Anthony Wiley, Thomas Jones and Diop Johnson were solid inside at linebacker. 2009 has one of the best duos at corner in Addison McGee and LaDarius Brooks, both snagging 7 interceptions. Alonte Darden, All-State, Joe Brown team leader in tackler, and Branson Rogers held things down at safety.

2004 - 15.5 ppg - 13 games

2004 is one of the saltiest groups to come through Longview. Safety DeKendrick Campbell led the team in tackles with 102 and also 5 interceptions. Kelcie Oliver had 100 tackles and Rashah Williams had 96 tackles. They boasted a stout defensive line led by ends junior TJ Norris 14 tfl and senior Roderick Allen 6 sacks, 16 tfl. At corner was the TCU pair Corderra Hutner 2 interceptions and James Pierce 1 interception.   

2007 - 16 ppg - 14 games

This 11 senior unit was full of pride and could and would absolutely stone your boots. Jon Writt led the team in tackles with 150 and 3 interceptions. The DL was led by the ends 11 sackmeister Cordarron Solomon and Markeith Wooldridge, 100 tackles. Inside were the tackles Roderick Anderson and Dominique Morgan. The 2 linebacker were 2 position switches. From end to mike backer, DaCorris Ford, and from RB to willie backer, Jazmon Moon. Outside safeties were Cody Morrow and Drew Harden, 112 tackles and 5 interceptions, and one of the more fun corner duos in Carziel Martin 16 pbus and 3 ints and Dontray Nelson 5 interceptions. 

2002 - 14.78 ppg - 14 games

2002's full of monsters. James Stephens is the leader in the middle at linebacker, followed up by Keaton Daniels who had 6 interceptions on the season. Kendall Peoples led a ferocious group of defensive linemen and Marcus Maxey provided opportunistic coverage at corner. This group stoned opponents all year.

2023 - 12.46 - 13 games

The 2023 group flaunts an incredible 12.46 ppg average and with the talent on this group it's easy to see why. Sack Leaders 1 and 3 Xaryus Sheppard (27 career, 10 in 2023) and Billy Smith  (21 Career, 5 sacks in 2023) held down a great group up front. Linebackers Kason Brooks 17 tfl, and Brenden Reese 65 tackles, made plays. 2023 also flaunts one of the best secondaries in school history in Willie Nelson 6 int, Buddha Garrett 3 int, Jaidon Simmons 2 int,  and Thomas Roel 4 interceptions..

2019 - 10.16 - 12 games

With the lowest ppg average in school history 2019 has every right to claim the throne as number 1. And with the most dominant defensive lineman, the most electric linebacker, and a secondary full of veteran presence, this group is one of the strongest ever. Drew Beltran's 27 tackles for loss is a school record. Tyshawn Taylor provided spark an emotional leadership that hasn't been on the field since the days of James Stephens, and Dakirin Buchanan led a secondary that was competitive and didn't get beat deep. 

2005 - 12.72 ppg - 11 games

This group was stout on every level. The defensive line rotated 8 guys who all could play. At linebacker, the Lobos got great play from Marcus Davis and Kelcie Oliver, and this secondary is as feared as any unit in Lobo History, starting with the safety duo of Cartez Beall and Jarvis Pippins. Of course 2005 is known for losing in the first round, but it wasn't because of the defense. This defense gave up 35 to Rockwall and still averaged 12.72 ppg. 

2022 - 10.26 - 15 games

This group has the most complete defense in Lobo History. With Willie Nelson 5 ints, Jakevyon Curry 3 ints, Jaiden Simmons, and Buddha Garrett, there were complete players everywhere. Kaden Brooks brought elite athleticism at linebacker and Ta'Darion Boone, 112 tackles, 20 for loss, 9 sacks, 5 int, 3 def tds, had one of the greatest seasons by a Lobo ever. Up front Billy Smith got 13 sacks, and Xaryus Sheppard finished with 11. Add in another 10 from Jeremiah Rougely and 9.5 from Jordan Wright and you're talking about one of the most complete units ever. Their 2nd best 10.26 ppg ain't nothing to shy away from either.