Crosby vs Liberty Hill

[Usedtocould]

There’s definitely an argument to be made that the Mid-County cities were suburbs before suburbs were cool. PN-G benefitted quite a bit from families moving out of Port Arthur. And teachers, for that matter; some of the best PN-G teachers I had from 2007 to 2011 started their careers at TJ in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s.

With respect to the broader economic and social issues, I’m not ready to write off the Golden Triangle wholesale just yet. Groves and Nederland managed to show population growth on the 2020 census slightly above the national average. Port Neches was right below it. Proportionally speaking, Bridge City and Lumberton showed very strong growth (though the raw numbers were on par with Mid-County), and Port Arthur showed appreciable growth. All of those areas have new housing additions going up. The Trump years were the most prosperous Southeast Texas has seen in decades; 2019 saw Jefferson County’s unemployment rate drop below 5% for the first time at least since the Department of Labor started measuring the statistic in the ‘60s. It was also the first year in my lifetime that I could drive down Port Neches Avenue and see nearly every storefront occupied.

The state demographer’s office will tell you Jefferson County is itself expected to become a Houston suburb by 2050. That may sound absurd, but Mont Belvieu becoming a suburb sounded absurd twenty years ago. I take the points about the refineries employing fewer people and contracting out to heart, but I also recognize that there’s tremendous long term economic potential in Jefferson County between the port expansion currently underway and the future of the American natural gas industry. I also expect, in the near future, to see the Golden Triangle return to statewide political relevance for the first time in thirty years. We just have to finally reach the post-COVID era, and elect a presidential administration run by people who don’t hate rural Americans and the oil and gas industry.

If you want to talk about the real problems in Southeast Texas right now, let’s talk about Beaumont. But that’s a conversation for another time.

Remember when Sugar Land and The Woodlands were small country towns lol.

 

[Usedtocould]

I actually look for a time when PRIVATE schools rule the roost
Where the stars go to showcase their skills and talents say one all star school from the GT is represented amongst the 10-12 in Houston and Dallas. Sort of the SEC of THSF
This is what happens in most other states CA FL etc. and how they always are ranked so high in the national rankings Mater Dei IMG

 

[bandkid]

Not by much.

Since I graduated ten years ago, enrollment is up about 200 students. That’s a little over 15%. The student body is also substantially more diverse; the Hispanic population is the real growth driver. Most of that growth is coming from Groves, and I’d expect it to continue. The same thing is happening in Port Arthur and, to a lesser extent, Nederland.

 

[rodney12345678]

The ‘99 season was a special group of players. So was every other great season at PNG. 54-56, 74-77, 89 and 99. Those types of teams don’t come around every season.

no but it has been awhile

The I formation arrived with Ethridge in 1973 and ended with Burnett in 2008.

Does anyone remember Jake Hemmings? He’s the back that ran like a tank and sent the LC-M tackler flying backwards through the air when he tried to tackle him. 2005-2007. Would be interesting to see a big, tough back again. W don’t see many backs like that in PN. Josh Cook was another before him that was big and fast.

golhke was another one

 

[rodney12345678]

no but it has been awhile

golhke was another one

and his brother played safety on the 99 team i think

 

[rodney12345678]

seems like we have done good when coach and qb is father and son

 

[bandkid]

True. No comparison in job opportunities and the reason I moved away. But with many enterprises finally evolving and allowing remote work, there is more hope.

That is an excellent point. As we speak, Waco is seeing a surge of new residents from Austin taking advantage of remote work to cut their cost of living and get away from Austin’s absurd homelessness and criminal justice issues. I’ve heard tell of similar phenomena happening in places like Tyler, Huntsville and San Marcos. It’s not inconceivable that you’ll see that in Southeast Texas, though I’d expect the pollution, humidity and recurring natural disasters to be stifling factors.

 

[IndianFan]

That is an excellent point. As we speak, Waco is seeing a surge of new residents from Austin taking advantage of remote work to cut their cost of living and get away from Austin’s absurd homelessness and criminal justice issues. I’ve heard tell of similar phenomena happening in places like Tyler, Huntsville and San Marcos. It’s not inconceivable that you’ll see that in Southeast Texas, though I’d expect the pollution, humidity and recurring natural disasters to be stifling factors.

I’m planning on being a digital nomad as I work the final 7+ years of my professional career. Or longer if I feel like it. Complete freedom is possible as long as you have a decent internet connection. And with a remote connection to virtual machines that exist on the corporate network, all you need is a VPN and maybe a 10mbs connection and you’re good to go. Looking forward to working within view of mountains and oceans!

 

[Indian99]

and his brother played safety on the 99 team i think

Yep, he was only the best safety PNG has ever seen.

 

[1989NDN]

Yep, he was only the best safety PNG has ever seen.

Robert Giblin (1969-1970) and Robert DeRutte (1977) say, "hold my beer." Chris Gohlke ranks right up there with them. He could hand out vicious hits. Great, great player. The 1999 team had several great players. It wasn't just Dustin Long. '99 had great talent. Not good talent, but great talent. Price, Gohlke, Wortham, Boudoin, Lang, and I'm probably forgetting some others. Someone should make a video game where we could select PN-G teams. Like Madden. Play the 1974 Indians vs. the 1989 Indians. 1976 vs. 1999. 1977 vs 1975. I'm not tech savvy enough to create that game, but someone should do it. Have Tip Durham call the game. Play Cherokee after each score.

 

[IndianFan]

Good points.

Also Cody Clark and CJ Blier were dominant defensive players in 1999.

Giblin was a 2-time All-American at UH and played in the NFL. 6-6” DeRutte was ‘77 All-State and started at LSU. But Gholke was a flat out beast and a special player who is among the greatest.

Other great PNG defensive backs from the 60s and 70s: Mike Allman (All-State, NFL), Mike Simpson (All-State, NFL), Randy Lee (All-State), Randy Johnson (All-State), Jackie Harvard (All-State).

 

[png2025]

Keep in mind this years freshman class is close to 500 kids. I don’t see 4a anywhere in png’s future. Also hearing about kids moving to png from other local schools. PNG is still a desired school district !