ABILENE – The Early Longhorns qualified for the State Lineman Challenge Saturday at Hardin-Simmons University.

The Longhorns placed fifth out of 31 teams in the Division III field with 45 points, trailing only Sweetwater (64), Brock (54), Clyde (52) and Jim Ned (46).

The Longhorns will return to Hardin-Simmons on June 21 for the state competition.

Also in Division IV, Goldthwaite, in second place with 48 points, Coleman, in fifth place with 28 points, and Cross Plains, in sixth place with 24 points, also earned state berths.