Redemption night: Lufkin defense bounces back, Smith makes 2 picks in 7-0 win

NEW CANEY — Coming off a rough outing, Lufkin’s defense pitched a shutout at Randall Reed Stadium here Thursday night, knocking off the New Caney Eagles 7–0 in a District 9-5A matchup. Kayden Phillips scored on a 2-yard run late in the first half to put the Panthers in front 7-0, and the defense made sure that held up with big stops in the second half, including a pair of picks by ball-hawking defensive back Sam Smith in the fourth period. Lufkin’s win over the Eagles evened its district record at 2-2 heading into a bye week. “Defensively we bounced…