Best Indian game you watched played

[PNGIndian75]

My favorite was the 75 game against Kashmere in the Astrodome. That team was HUGE, did I say HUGE? And FAST. I remember their wide receivers were warming up pregame by catching the ball with one hand consistently. Etheridge had a huge run up the middle to seal the game and I knew after beating them that we would win state. Kashmere could have lined up with many college teams and beat them.

Funny story about that game...me and my buddy decided to write something witty on the back window of his hotrod Firebird. We came up with "If you are for Kashmere, you can RAM it". HaHa.
Not the smartest thing I have ever done.....
After the game a car load of highly agitated disappointed Kashmere fans pulled up next to us on the 610 Loop and began throwing beer bottles at us. His 140mph Firebird saved us......
Lesson learned.

Agree, I remember from that game that after the win, the Press starting calling them the 'Mini-Indians'. Small in stature, but giants with heart and technique.

 

[NDNzeke]

Agree, I remember from that game that after the win, the Press starting calling them the 'Mini-Indians'. Small in stature, but giants with heart and technique.

75 state championship game without a doubt: There are many great honorable mentions (and the Kashmere game is certainly near the top of that list for me), but the top of the mountain in the highest classification in Texas can’t be beat.

 

[Usedtocould]

Honorable Mention the game vs Nederland when Roschon had 6 TDs
But nothing will ever beat the Permian game in my book
Probably ever
One because we won but also I’ve still never seen such an energy at any event and as a kid the whole MOJO thing was so scary etc the airplane etc

 

[NDNzeke]

Honorable Mention the game vs Nederland when Roschon had 6 TDs
But nothing will ever beat the Permian game in my book
Probably ever
One because we won but also I’ve still never seen such an energy at any event and as a kid the whole MOJO thing was so scary etc the airplane etc

MOJO GUMBO

 

[19PNGndn68]

My favorite is an old one. First time to see Texas Stadium. The last game I was able to see with both parents. 1975 state championship win.

All the championship title games are all so special moments.

I remember individual games along the way that had an early and significant impact that could have ended the playoff streak. In 1975 I thought PNG was invincible. However, PNG played South Houston in the third game of preseason and lost 17-16. South Houston had an all American HS center that was both talented and physically punishing. (Later played at UT Austin) their whole offense line played with his attitude.

I recall that in 1975 the 11-4A district was then divided into two zones. In the fifth game of the season PNG beat Beaumont French 42-0. PNG when on to beat TJ, Lincoln, Nederland by big scores. Then the two zone champ's played the equivalent of a bi district game at LU Cardinal stadium.

Beaumont French came out and played smash mouth defense. one of the most physical games I have witnessed from start to finish. French scored a safety early in the game. As the game progressed I thought PNG was going to lose 2-0. PNG managed to score a late TD but even the extra point was blocked. Final score was 6-2.

No time to recoup from that physical game. Lo and behold The next playoff game was against the undefeated red and white South Houston Trojans at their field. Their team nickname was the junkyard dogs. If you have ever made a wrong turn off HWY 6 going to Galveston you know it didn’t take much imagination to come up with that nickname. Very concerned about what PNG had left in the tank.

PNG defense came out in a vengeance ( similar to the 1999 La Marque playoff game) take no prisoners. The South Houston QB was knocked out of the game before the end of the first half. Final score was 32-7 and the rest was history.

 

[19PNGndn68]

My favorite is an old one. First time to see Texas Stadium. The last game I was able to see with both parents. 1975 state championship win.

I am going to take a different rememberance experience on a season lost. one of the most poignant and shocking abrupt endings in PNG history. After four straight years where at least a semifinal appearance was considered a far gone conclusion. the 1978 season was full of promise. However, Doug Etheridge young son was a running back but suffered a severe leg injury at the start of the season that ended his career. I think it was difficult for both Son and Dad to accept his son’s loss. His younger son had always played in the shadows of his older 1974-1975 QB bother.
At the same time one of PNG outstanding returning offense linemen suffered a neck injury before the 1978 season that ended his football career. Name may have been Cunningham? He became the Indian spirit to remain connected to the team. He made a very imposing appearance being 6ft 3 and 225 lbs. like dressing up Superman.
This was back in 1978 when only the district champion team advanced in the playoffs.

In the previous three seasons PNG always play a preseason game home on home with the Houston Stratford green and gold Trojans. They had a running back by the name of Greg James (SMU fame with RB Eric Dickerson the big SMU Death Penalty). PNG had beaten Greg James team his sophomore and junior years. In 1978 Greg James was a senior HS All American. Imagine a reincarnation of Jeff the Jet.
PNG played Stratford at home that year. PNG was losing by three TDs in the second half and it appeared to be a rout. PNG began a tremendous comeback and closed the gap to 28-30 before time ran out. Stratford went on to win state that year.

Vidor Pirates hired a new coach in 1978 an exmarine with a short cropped flattop. Varsity numbers had shrunk in Vidor as the losses had piled up in years past. HC went into the PE classes and Industrial education school work program and recruited players or went to their fathers as a ex drill sarge to convinced their parents that a little discipline instilled into their sons would help them be successful in life. These were the kids in our school that no one dared to messed with and could be set off any time.
In the sixth game of season with a first year coach Vidor beat PNG in a physical ground game 20-15 in district. PNG went on to beat TJ, Lincoln, Nederland, BCPollard by big scores but Vidor won district.

I then followed and attended Houston Stratford playoff games. One game in the Astrodome I was walking on the concourse to get to the opposite Stratford side and heard some fans from either Houston Kasmere or Wheatley asking each other as they headed to their seats where are those injuns? It brought back all those recent memories of what could have been in 1978.

Always enjoy the moment. Time has a way of making memories fade into the past quickly.

 

[NDNzeke]

All the championship title games are all so special moments.

I remember individual games along the way that had an early and significant impact that could have ended the playoff streak. In 1975 I thought PNG was invincible. However, PNG played South Houston in the third game of preseason and lost 17-16. South Houston had an all American HS center that was both talented and physically punishing. (Later played at UT Austin) their whole offense line played with his attitude.

I recall that in 1975 the 11-4A district was then divided into two zones. In the fifth game of the season PNG beat Beaumont French 42-0. PNG when on to beat TJ, Lincoln, Nederland by big scores. Then the two zone champ's played the equivalent of a bi district game at LU Cardinal stadium.

Beaumont French came out and played smash mouth defense. one of the most physical games I have witnessed from start to finish. French scored a safety early in the game. As the game progressed I thought PNG was going to lose 2-0. PNG managed to score a late TD but even the extra point was blocked. Final score was 6-2.

No time to recoup from that physical game. Lo and behold The next playoff game was against the undefeated red and white South Houston Trojans at their field. Their team nickname was the junkyard dogs. If you have ever made a wrong turn off HWY 6 going to Galveston you know it didn’t take much imagination to come up with that nickname. Very concerned about what PNG had left in the tank.

PNG defense came out in a vengeance ( similar to the 1999 La Marque playoff game) take no prisoners. The South Houston QB was knocked out of the game before the end of the first half. Final score was 32-7 and the rest was history.

I attended both South Houston games. After losing the first one, I remember thinking “see you in the playoffs.”