Justin Northwest football team poised for a stretch run

By Greg Bogomol

Special to the Star-Telegram

One of the area's biggest surprises to date is Justin Northwest.

The Texans are off to a 4-1 start and 2-0 in District 4-5A.

Northwest allowed just 38 total points in the wins against Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Keller and Keller Fossil Ridge.

Fossil Ridge scored 10 points early in the first quarter last week, but the defense shut the Panthers down the rest of the way. The Texans turned the ball over three times early, and could have been down by 21.

"We're trying to get better every week and we talk about what we can to do to get there and go over that with the kids every Monday," coach Bill Patterson said. "We talked about our mistakes as the game went on. We felt like we did everything we could wrong and were still tied at the half. Even as bad as it was our kids hung in there and gave us a chance to win."

One of the biggest reasons for the Texans success this season is attributed to its depth on offense. Leading the offense that has averaged 343.6 yards per game is quarter back Draze Lawliss who has thrown for 856 yards and eight touchdowns. He has also rushed for 125 yards, second on the team the 471 yards gained by Dakota Chavis. Also, Lawliss has completed passes to seven different receivers.

"We have a lot of weapons and that makes it harder for defenses to prepare for us this year," Lawliss said. "They have to be aware of everyone on the field. Dakota and I can both run out of the backfield and if I need to pass the ball have a lot of great receivers to get the ball to."

Against Fossil Ridge, it was sophomore Emmanuel Moore who stepped up. He picked up 6 receptions for 74 yards and two scores and also carried the ball twice. Dylan Stubbe rushed eight times for 68 yards and hauled in five passes for 41 yards.

"Emmanuel did a good job and Draze played well so we had a lot of positives last week," Patterson said. "Dylan Stubbe also had a good game and if you are able to spread the ball around you have a better chance to win. No question last week's game was a confidence builder when your down 10 and score 31 unanswered."

The Texans are out to their best start since 2006.

Lawliss, who missed 3-1/2 games a year ago due to a pair of concussions, says this group is much closer than in 2011.

"One of the biggest things is the team unity we have," Lawliss said. "We're all one family and everyone's on the same page."

Another key has been the work off the field and the motto that the team comes first.

"The biggest key for me has been the focus and determination I have," Lawliss said. "I strive to get better both on and off the field, watching film and taking time to get better on my own time. We just have to keep our heads and minds in the right direction."

Despite the great start, the Texans realize they must take it week by week.

"We have to take it one game at a time and get ready for the next team and stay focused," Lawliss said. "We've always been recognized as a pushover team, but it's different this year. It's huge for the program. My goal isn't for any stats or honors it's to just win games and go as far as we can go."

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