It would be difficult to find a more frustrating beginning to the 2026 Livingston football season. Everything Livingston prepared to be since the end of 2025 is what Rusk proved to be in a 33-0 drubbing Friday at Jim Swink Field. They ran the ball, they controlled the clock, and were tough on defense.
The Lions could not get much going offensively outside of one drive. Jax Ruiz hit Zayden Martin for a 41-yard pass down the sideline, and Taylor Haynes later ran 38 yards for a touchdown. The score was called back on a holding penalty, and the drive soon ended.
Lion possessions were halted five times by punt, two by turnover on downs, one interception and a fumble. They ran the ball 22 times for 68 yards. Through the air, Ruiz and Brax Smith were a combined 5-for-12, totaling 75 yards. The Lions’ 143 total yards of offense were outgained by Eagle Cayden Christopher’s 198 yards on 15 carries. As a team, Rusk had 495 offensive yards.
“We were less physical than them tonight. That is something we've tried to hang our hat on all offseason – with the way we've done things – is being more physical,” Lion coach Tucker Carter said. “We were not able to run the football, and we did not stop the run. Those are the three main things I've talked about since November, so it's pretty evident if those don't get fixed, it's going to be tough to win ballgames.
“We're a young team. I knew we were going to have some growing pains, and we've got to be able to adapt and overcome week to week, because there are no more secrets. We are who we are, and they know who we are, and we know who they are coming in. So, we've got to get a lot better.”
Carter did praise his defense, which struggled last season. They were still susceptible to the big play, but held in bleak circumstances. One example was just before the half, trailing by 17. They forced a three-and-out, only to have the offense fumble on their first play from scrimmage. From the Lion 29, they held on another three plays, and a field goal attempt was unsuccessful, sending the game to the half and within reach.
“I thought we got some key stops on defense,” Carter said. “Like, when it mattered. The problem is offensive. We gave the ball back to them every possession, and we didn't sustain drives.”
The team will have a week to prepare for the Panthers of Anahuac, which had its own problems in a 42-14 loss to Van Vleck Friday.
