Campbell salutes PN-G, Faircloth

[IndianFan]

June 24, 2010
Campbell salutes PN-G, Faircloth

Cody Pastorella The Port Arthur News

GROVES — GROVES -- Texas football and Dave Campbell go hand in hand. After all, the name of his extremely popular magazine is Dave Campbell's Texas Football. While autographing copies of his magazine at Larry's French Market in Groves on Thursday afternoon, Campbell said Port Neches-Groves High School football and Texas also go hand in hand.

And that is a major reason why the Indians were invited to San Antonio for the Texas Football Classic where they will play Gregory-Portland in the Alamodome on Sept. 28th at 3:45 p.m. The Texas Football Classic was started in 1999. This is PN-G's first invitation.

Campbell said PN-G meets all the criteria factored into choosing what programs he wants to participate in the annual event.

"Obviously, we want teams with fans that travel well," he said. "You're not going to find a school that does that better than Port Neches. We want programs with tradition and Port Neches has such rich tradition. You can't find a school with more tradition than what they have here. And they have had it here for many, many years."

Another reason for Cambell's decision to invite PN-G is Indian chief Brandon Faircloth, who was named the magazine’s Class 4A coach of the year for the Indians 11-1 rebound season. Fans can find Faircloth on page 190 in this year's edition of Dave Campbell's Texas Football.

"Coach Faircloth's track record speaks for itself. What he has accomplished and the time he has accomplished it in is to be very much admired," Campbell explained about Faircloth's work as both an assistant and head coach.

Campbell's visit to Groves is part of the yearly tour he makes to all 10 schools elected to play at the Texas Football Classic.

"It's an honor he would choose us," explained Faircloth, who has met with Campbell on two other occasions. "The biggest programs get invited to play there, you know. It's an honor that he thinks of us as one of those schools. It's honor that he is here today. It (game in San Antonio) should be a wonderful experience for the kids and fans. The Alamodome is a great place to play."

About the coaching award, Faircloth said that is a special honor as well.

"I know it's my name on there and I am honored, but any time you get any kind of coaching award it is a reflection of the school, the coaches, the kids and the fans. That is a reflection of everybody buying into what we're doing as coaches and as a program. It's a reflection of hard work from everyone involved."

Faircloth said he first met Campbell at a coaching convention while working with quarterbacks at Highland Park. That same year, Highland Park won the state championship.

The Indian boss met Campbell again at the Texas Football Classic while coaching as an assistant for Austin Westlake, who beat San Antonio McArthur in that matchup. Austin Westlake went onto claim a perfect record in the regular season.

Faircloth, who was also signing copies of the magazine, said that tickets for the game against Gregory-Portland will be sold all summer at the administration building in Port Neches.

Campbell has picked PN-G to finish second behind Central in District 20-4A action this year.

He said those picks are made in the spring and are based off of the successes of the previous season and how many starters each school has returning.

"That is mostly guess work. There is a lot that can happen between March and November," said Campbell. "It's really a blind man's bluff. But I have no doubt that Port Neches-Groves will have a great year."

http://panews.com/sports/x1617562538/Campbell-salutes-PN-G-Faircloth

 

[NDNband69]

I came across this team preview video from last season. We are fortunate to have Coach Faircloth. This video displays his coaching philosophy. He has assembled possibly the best coaching staff in the state. We can look forward to another great season at The Reservation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHMWv2cN-TY&feature=related

 

[squaw]

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing it, NDNband69.

 

[PNG Proud]

awesome! Thanks 69

 

[NDNband69]

I want to thank LR1969 for his comments on another site about PNG.

I know it's late but I've been out of the loop this summer. Just wanted to say Congrats to the Indians for being chosen to participate in the Texas Football Classic. Can't think of a local team with more tradition or one with greater fans. The invitiation was well deserved. Do us proud PN-G and represent the Golden Triangle well. Good Luck!!!

A response from another.

they should have a SETX team in it every year IMO. I remember when PAM played SV in San Antonio.

I say next yr get Central, WB or WO-S in it. Cool


Good way to letting folks know about the football being played in SETX


The response by LR1969.

I would love to see more local schools represented and I know people don't like to hear it but tradition is the key to getting opportunities like this...tradition and a fan base that blows everyone else out of the water. Granted, it's been a while since PN-G brought home a ring but their fans have been there through good and bad and they are known around the state. No matter where you go in Texas, you find people who know who PN-G is. It's just not that way for the rest of our local teams, including my hometown of Lumberton (obviously). WO-S has a rich tradition as well, as does Newton and Dayton, but the legacy that is PN-G has no equal in SE Texas. And, this is coming from a Raider fan...LOL! So, don't take offense people if no invites come your school's way. It takes a long time and it takes consistency...not only winning but being there through the bad years and flying your teams colors with pride no matter what happens. You do that enough and people will take notice...Ask the Indian fans. They're living proof!!! Three of the top 10 attendance records in Texas high school football were for games PN-G played in. That says it all! Good luck to everybody in Week Zero. And, may it be a great year for SE Texas.

Thanks LR1969.

 

[61ndn-row46-50ydln]

Amen. It starts from the moment little Indianss are born if not before. I bought a jersey for my grandson who is due in December the day I found out he is a boy. Would have gotten a cheer outfit if he had been a girl. My husband's cousin whose son was a kicker for Pasadena Dobie asked us how we had so much spirit. I asked him what kids in their district learned to count...stick, etc. and he said yes. I told him that is where our kids are different. We don't have sticks in PNG. Our kids learn to count using arrows, feathers, teepees, canoes, and our colors are the colors of war paint. The PRIDE, HONOR, AND TRADITION starts early and stays strong and that is how it needs to stay. Once an Indian always an Indian and the INDIAN NATION just keeps getting bigger and better as each generation comes along.

 

[NDN79]

That was a great post by LR1969!! Very well said!! I know that PN-G fans from all over will represent the Indians and the golden-triangle football fans well. We will not disappoint !!