Prep Baseball Report

2018 UIL Team Preview: Lufkin


PBR Staff

The Texas high school season kicks off on February 19, the first day for regular season games. Most teams will begin practicing on January 26, getting their rosters set and finalizing their lineups.

Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we will be rolling out team previews of high school teams all across the state and across all classifications, eventually launching our Preseason Power 25. 

Team: Lufkin
2017 Record:
15-16
Conference Finish: 4th
Conference: 12-6A
THSA Classification: 6A
Head Coach: John Cobb
Playoff Run: Lost in 1st Round
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 3

TOP PLAYERS

Name State School Class Pos Commitment
John Dewberry TX Lufkin  2018 CF Grayson JC
Dillon McDuffie  TX Lufkin 2018 RHP Grayson JC
Max Quick TX Lufkin 2018 3B
Tanner Green TX Lufkin 2018 RHP University of Houston
Davis Powell TX Lufkin 2019 SS  

 
SEASON PREVIEW

Coach John Cobb and the Lufkin Panthers look to improve on a 15-16 finish last season. With 7 returning starters and 3 pitchers they most certainly have the chemistry to do so. Team defense looks to be a strength with 2018 CF John Dewberry and 2019 SS Davis Powell up the middle. Last season Dewberry was selected All-District, All Houston Area and All East Texas. Look for University of Houston recruit Tanner Green (Ranked No. 129 in TX) to be a force on the mound. Green shows command of three pitches with a mid-to-upper-80's fastball, a hard slider at 76-79, and changeup at 77-79. 2018 RHP Dillon McDuffie, a Grayson JC commit, will also be a cog for the Panthers rotation. Shortstop Davis Powell, still uncommitted, is a versatile player that started last year as a sophomore and has a chance to throw some innings this year as well. With 2018 C Max Quick and Dewberry both being left-handed hitters, the lineup should be balanced enough to put up runs as Lufkin looks to be very competitive in a tough district. 

Related Content