Final: PN-G Indians 35, La Porte Bulldogs 21

[IndianFan]

INSTANT REACTION: PNG, SOC Show Out; North Crowley Extends Winning Streak

The biggest takeaways from Week 3 of the 2025 Texas high school football season include Port Neches-Groves vs. La Porte, South Oak Cliff vs. Longview, and North Crowley vs. Denton Guyer.

www.texasfootball.com

 

[1989NDN]

How about the PN-G short yardage/goal line package? #14...he has a mean streak in him when he runs the ball anywhere near the first down marker or goal line. He picks the right hole and runs with some whip ass in his step. Love the big bunch/short yardage/goal line package. #68, #99, and bulldozer #14. You know Coach Gizzi will add a few wrinkles...like a pass or maybe a sweep...to that package.

Great call last night by the special teams group, Coach Parsons and Coach Joseph, on the fake FG.

This group of kids and coaches are coming together.

GO INDIANS!!!

 

[Torino]

Where can we see stats of last night's game?

 

[bandkid]

What a game! LaPorte ISD you have a nice stadium. Tip of the cap. Very nice. The LaPorte ticket takers and LaPorte Police Department were kind and friendly hosts. Many thanks. As nice as the LaPorte stadium is, and I'll say it again, it is very nice, I have the following complaints:

1. Stop piping in sound and sponsor commericals when PN-G plays Cherokee. I know PN-G kicking your ass up and down the field makes for a long night of Cherokee, but that's bush league to intentionally pipe in sound or start video board commercials when the Indians score and the Purple Pride fires up Cherokee. Or, when the quarter ends and PN-G fires up Cherokee, or when PN-G enters the field after halftime and your band/theater show can't get off the field and the fans can't hear Cherokee because of the piped-in sound.

2. LaPorte concessions. No Coca-Cola products? Instead you offer Pepsi products? Its 2025, not 1982. No pizza? No Chick-Fil-A? No local offerings? Just candy and chips and nachos from a booster club crock pot?

3. Parking is terrible around the beautiful stadium. For all the masses of people that have historically complained about parking at PN-G's Indian Stadium--The Reservation, well, we finally have someone that tops PN-G when it comes to terrible parking. Many thanks to the LaPorte Police Officer who allowed me to park in the grass behind a closed business, and for him alerting PN-G fans and directing traffic so that PN-G fans could have a place to park. Thank you LaPorte Police Department. BIG TIME THANK YOU.

4. I'm not a fan of high school halftime shows with theater productions.

I am finished with my GET OFF MY LAWN moment.

As for the game, great game by the PN-G Indians. Tip of the cap to a big and physical LaPorte team. The PN-G defense was outstanding all night long. We need to find a way to clone #35, #99, #33, and too many others to type them all. #23 DB, great game. It's OK to give up some throws, you were in postion to make the stops and you did. Great job. Way to battle. The LaPorte RBs are the best the Indians will see and PN-G got all 11 kids around the football. Great job. Connor Bailey was razor sharp. He was the victim of too many drops by our WRs--especially on the long bombs that he perfectly dropped into their hands. Love the playmaking of #2. Scrappy WR. The fans--me included--have been critical of the OC. Tonight was his best performance ever as OC. Coach Gizzi had a great game plan and he called a great game. Perfect balance of run/throw. He had kids in motion, he created outstanding match-ups for our WRs, he moved Connor Bailey around the pocket, he knew when to run against a worn down LaPorte defense and he knew when to call quick throws, and when to call the downfield throws. Great job. Coach Gizzi had LaPorte guessing as to what's coming next. He did an excellent job. If he can keep that kind of game plan and flow going, PN-G is going to make a deep run. LaPorte was big and physical and PN-G never backed down. Our kids fought their asses off all night and played some of the best football I have seen since 2023. Great job by all the coaches and kids.

That’s Coach Gizzi, PN-G c/o 2011.

I agree with this assessment. The passing game looked out of tune in the first half but started clicking in the second half. The defense only looked out of position on one drive. The line play was good. The RBs showed flashes of greatness. Special teams only had one bad kick.

Folks, we might just go all the way again this year. Scalp ‘em.

 

[19PNGndn68]

One thing I’ve seen from coach Gizzi this year that I saw NONE of last year is his ability to adjust last year it was run up the middle CONSTANTLY no matter how many times our opponents stopped it. Now if he notices the run isn’t working he isn’t scared to try some quick passes or test the secondary!I again say I want to see #10 get more involved I know he had some opportunities this week and didn’t capitalize but I think instead of using him as a deep threat take advantage of his speed with some screens or some touch passes and try to boost his confidence it is his first year after all. Secondly I LOVE La Portes new stadium still got a ton of kinks to iron out specially with the sound system and playing like 3 things at once BUT I saw they're players constantly showing good sportsmanship's even when things were scrappy,they're fans were very welcoming and hospitable,they’re staff were all amazing from the PD to to volunteers in the concessions they remind me quite a bit of our own community and that’s a HUGE COMPLIMENT!

Concur with your comments. I would like to see the rivalry continue in the future.

 

[Usedtocould]

Here’s what I didn’t get

Why do LP star running backs start from a “three point catcher’s stance”
When I saw it I thought “ok that’s their “resting” stance” and they would come to a more ready stance before the snap - nope
They take off from squatting
That CANNOT be optimum for acceleration
Sort of like the track “mark set go” where they take two stances before taking off
I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before

 

[tony79]

Here’s what I didn’t get

Why do LP star running backs start from a “three point catcher’s stance”
When I saw it I thought “ok that’s their “resting” stance” and they would come to a more ready stance before the snap - nope
They take off from squatting
That CANNOT be optimum for acceleration
Sort of like the track “mark set go” where they take two stances before taking off
I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before

I noticed that as well.

 

[NDNzeke]

How about the PN-G short yardage/goal line package? #14...he has a mean streak in him when he runs the ball anywhere near the first down marker or goal line. He picks the right hole and runs with some whip ass in his step. Love the big bunch/short yardage/goal line package. #68, #99, and bulldozer #14. You know Coach Gizzi will add a few wrinkles...like a pass or maybe a sweep...to that package.

Great call last night by the special teams group, Coach Parsons and Coach Joseph, on the fake FG.

This group of kids and coaches are coming together.

GO INDIANS!!!

The package lives on with another great back to run it!!

 

[Usedtocould]

Concur with your comments. I would like to see the rivalry continue in the future.

Me too as it’s probably the closest stadium to my house
Maybe even closer than to either CCISD stadium or Dickinson

 

[Usedtocould]

The package lives on with another great back to run it!!

Yes I was going to say
He’s our new Adam’s (can’t remember if it’s spelled Shae or Shea haha now that I see it I know that it’s Shea)
Just instead of being 6’5 now a fire plug stout tough runner and I’m sure will stun the opposition with a pass when they least expect it.

 

[IndianFan]

 

[IndianFan]

Where can we see stats of last night's game?

MaxPreps is usually the only source left unless a newspaper sends a stats guy to the game. But neither PN-G or LP report their stats to MaxPreps.

 

[prepballfan]

That’s Coach Gizzi, PN-G c/o 2011.

I agree with this assessment. The passing game looked out of tune in the first half but started clicking in the second half. The defense only looked out of position on one drive. The line play was good. The RBs showed flashes of greatness. Special teams only had one bad kick.

Folks, we might just go all the way again this year. Scalp ‘em.

I spoke on this earlier in the year. Last years JV was 10-0. They only allowed 10 PPG and had 4 or 5 shutouts. I knew we had talent moving up on defense. They are swarming this season so far. If a few players grow into their capabilities by week 10 we could be a really tough out this season. This team has a lot of underclassmen as well.

 

[Lonestar JR]

Any thoughts on why LP had so many penalties. Was it due to LP being so pshycologicaly unprepared for the high level of PNG's talent and skill, that they panicked. Their coach shoiuld have done a better job of preparing them. It just looked like there were an unusual number of stupid LP infractions. It seems to me that a team with as much talent as LP would be more disciplined???

 

[IndianFan]

No clue. PNG players made a number of mistakes and were flagged for penalties in the 2nd half as well. Maybe both teams were amped up too much. I do agree that PNG coaches are doing a good job of preparing the team. Despite the glitches on the field by the Indians there was never any doubt of their confidence level and effort. I can still hear McDaniel yelling “Keep swinging!”. He is a master motivator and a great defensive coach. And Jeff Joseph is a warrior and great leader in all ways. Another factor is the PNG band and crowd. Indian Nation is a force.

 

[NDNzeke]

MaxPreps is usually the only source left unless a newspaper sends a stats guy to the game. But neither PN-G or LP report their stats to MaxPreps.

That would be a great addition to the NDN press broadcast, at least in terms of basic stats (e.g., passing and rushing). The radio broadcast used to report some of those basic stats at the half and post game.

 

[NDNzeke]

Where can we see stats of last night's game?

Only ones i could find are from La Porte youtube broadcast and are minimal:

1st half Bailey 9-15 for 138 yards
1st half Brisbo 4 receptions for 98 yards
Full game La Porte 376 total yards
Full game Simon La Porte 145 yards rushing
QB Wells La Porte 10–17 for 118 yards (most of it in last 10:31 of game)

 

[19PNGndn68]

How about the PN-G short yardage/goal line package? #14...he has a mean streak in him when he runs the ball anywhere near the first down marker or goal line. He picks the right hole and runs with some whip ass in his step. Love the big bunch/short yardage/goal line package. #68, #99, and bulldozer #14. You know Coach Gizzi will add a few wrinkles...like a pass or maybe a sweep...to that package.

Great call last night by the special teams group, Coach Parsons and Coach Joseph, on the fake FG.

This group of kids and coaches are coming together.

GO INDIANS!!!

Thanks for the insightful comments. #14 was the backup QB last year so the pass option is there. Like many PNG players they are willing to switch positions to help the team as a whole to become successful. Three touchdowns against that LP defensive front is a credit to the entire PNG Wildcat offense.

 

[bandkid]

Any thoughts on why LP had so many penalties. Was it due to LP being so pshycologicaly unprepared for the high level of PNG's talent and skill, that they panicked. Their coach shoiuld have done a better job of preparing them. It just looked like there were an unusual number of stupid LP infractions. It seems to me that a team with as much talent as LP would be more disciplined???

In my personal opinion, the most unsettling factor in playing PN-G is the size and tenacity of the crowd, band and drill team. Especially in this day and age, when the average crowd size at high school games in general is a fraction of what it used to be, that is the hardest thing opposing teams have to prepare for and the most disruptive force in the opposing teams’ rhythm on the field. I repeatedly observed that during the the last three PN-G playoff runs. I also observed in the baseball state title game PN-G won in 2017.

The other things you mentioned are definitely factors, too. But our crowd size and ferocity is our (not so) secret weapon.

 

[19PNGndn68]

In my personal opinion, the most unsettling factor in playing PN-G is the size and tenacity of the crowd, band and drill team. Especially in this day and age, when the average crowd size at high school games in general is a fraction of what it used to be, that is the hardest thing opposing teams have to prepare for and the most disruptive force in the opposing teams’ rhythm on the field. I repeatedly observed that during the the last three PN-G playoff runs. I also observed in the baseball state title game PN-G won in 2017.

The other things you mentioned are definitely factors, too. But our crowd size and ferocity is our (not so) secret weapon.

Want proof of PNG crowd intimidation Watch the Utube video of Port Neches Groves Entance into Katy Legacy Stadium in 2022 semifinals a sellout standing room only PNG crowd. Liberty Hill fans and players left standing just watching and listening to the pending doom of a 42-14 lost.
Liberty Hill ISD went so for as to require people to come in person to purchase tickets to prevent PNG fans from buying tickets online to prevent an overflow of PNG fans on both sides of the stadium. LH utube fan site source.
Liberty Hill actually changed their entrance program in 2023 against PNG to try and offset the intimidation factor of PNG crowd and football team entrance.