Lufkin showed why it’s leading District 16-5A with a 3-0 victory over John Tyler on Friday night at JT’s Lions Field.

The Panthers converted a penalty kick 15 minutes into the game. The Lions (7-5-5, 2-3-1 District 16-5A) then missed a wide-open goal moments later that would have equalized.

Lufkin made JT pay five minutes before halftime with a goal from inside the box. The Panthers put the game away with a goal from a free kick with 15 minutes left.

John Tyler heads into the second half of league play at 7 p.m. Tuesday against Whitehouse at Rose Stadium, a key battle between two teams fighting for their playoff lives.

“I think the guys are they realize the situation we’re in so we’re going to go out and gotta make a statement in the second half,” JT coach Howard Story said. “We’re just right now trying to get back on track, make sure we make the playoffs and try to eliminate some of those mistakes, those costly mistakes and give ourselves a chance to turn the season around.”