GAMEDAY: Port Neches-Groves (2-1) vs Fort Bend-Marshall (3-0)

[benchwarmer53]

“We played with unbelievable effort on defense,” said Joseph. “Coach McDaniel and all those guys on the defensive side of the ball had a great game plan. It just comes down to the heart and effort the kids play with. It’s a relentless passion to play hard for each other and that really drives our defense. “Our front guys were super active tonight. They kept battling and play hard every single snap.”

Job well done coaches and players. Despite the level of football talent that the opponent possessed, the Indians took control of both lines of scrimmage and relentlessly attacked at every other position. With the exception of one long run play, Fort Bend Marshall’s offense was overwhelmed and controlled no matter what they attempted. And you could see it in their demeanor during the game. All that 'next level'' talent crashed into the reality of hard nosed, disciplined, team football played in an atmosphere that offered little reassurance or support while the home team’s support was at a comparative playoff level.

Jeff Joseph, Matt McDaniel and Cade McCrary brought proven experience and accomplishments along with the mental keys to unlock player potential, and the assistant coaches amplify that. The potential was there all along but required a different approach and the right defensive coaching. For this fan, seeing that 7-0 win with little offense was much more satisfying than a 72-69 type of win. The offense will rebalance as the season progresses, and that huge offensive line will get better and better, but good defense never gets old. Defense, with just enough offense wins championships.

It's good to see a head coach that concentrates of defense as well as offense.

 

[indians87]

Just imagine what could of happened if Fairclothe halfway cared about defense with the teams we had in his tenure. Some of them probably could have been in the state finals game.

 

[Usedtocould]

But also don’t underestimate the influence of a player like Roschon and his work ethic and the way he treated the neighborhood kids who wanted to be like him when they grew up
Now those kids are playing and they might have worked a little bit harder with their childhood hero wearing PURPLE and maybe because of that - the 6’5 290 kid is more muscle than fat and not playing tuba in the band (nothing wrong with that) now he’s on the OL etc. -just a little more effort and interest. Remember these are the kids that went undefeated as JV and Freshmen if I remember correctly.

 

[Usedtocould]

We have depth this year
And just imagine returning the pieces we have in place on the OL and now QB and others for next year and it seems to be increasing

 

[90NDN]

Just imagine what could of happened if Fairclothe halfway care (d about defense with the teams we had in his tenure. Some of them probably could have been in the state finals game.

I don't think that is a fair statement .... I think he cared about defense, but he wasn't running the defense as he was an offensive genius ... and thus we either didn't have the right coaches or the kids just didn't execute. I'm sure he wanted to win a state championship, and you can't do that without a competent defense (not saying dominant). I can't tell me how many times I saw incorrect tackling technique. Either way, as HC, it was his job for to make sure this was happening.

 

[Usedtocould]

But also don’t underestimate the influence of a player like Roschon and his work ethic and the way he treated the neighborhood kids who wanted to be like him when they grew up
Now those kids are playing and they might have worked a little bit harder with their childhood hero wearing PURPLE and maybe because of that - the 6’5 290 kid is more muscle than fat and not playing tuba in the band (nothing wrong with that) now he’s on the OL etc. -just a little more effort and interest. Remember these are the kids that went undefeated as JV and Freshmen if I remember correctly.

There ARE only 15 tubas this year as opposed to 16 in the past
Coincidence???
That potential 16th tuba player is busy in the trenches this year

 

[IndianFan]

I don't think that is a fair statement .... I think he cared about defense, but he wasn't running the defense as he was an offensive genius ... and thus we either didn't have the right coaches or the kids just didn't execute. I'm sure he wanted to win a state championship, and you can't do that without a competent defense (not saying dominant). I can't tell me how many times I saw incorrect tackling technique. Either way, as HC, it was his job for to make sure this was happening.

Without question his desire to win for the community was there. Faircloth just didn’t have the right guy there to run the defense, and player talent levels ebb and flow over the years. In contrast, Coach McDaniel is as good as they come and Coach Joseph is defensive minded as well with great experience at big time programs.

Coach Faircloth and his legacy is established. He didn’t win the big one but he was and continues to be a great coach.

 

[IndianFan]

There ARE only 15 tubas this year as opposed to 16 in the past
Coincidence???
That potential 16th tuba player is busy in the trenches this year

There’s also a big framed, tall kid on the g crew that looks like he could play some football. Time to recruit.

 

[NDNTime]

Without question his desire to win for the community was there. Faircloth just didn’t have the right guy there to run the defense, and player talent levels ebb and flow over the years. In contrast, Coach McDaniel is as good as they come and Coach Joseph is defensive minded as well with great experience at big time programs.

Coach Faircloth and his legacy is established. He didn’t win the big one but he was and continues to be a great coach.

Faircloth's best defensive year was year 1 for him when he took a 3-6 NDN team and flipped it to a 10-0 district champion losing to Brenham in the Area round of the playoffs. We fell behind early in the game but came storming back in the 2nd half. We had a chance to win it but a late interception ended the season--27-21. Note, that Brenham team went to the state final. I honestly believe that we had the team to take it to state that year if we wouldn't have fallen behind 20-0 in the first half.

 

[IndianFan]

The 2017 team with RJ, Preston Riggs, Preston Hughes and other great players was a state championship calibre offensive team without a defense. That was the team that I expected to win big, and the top scoring team in PNG history with 48+ per game.

 

[90NDN]

Yes, if that team had a defense, they would have won state that year imo.

 

[Torino]

I actually believe the REFEREE TOLD them to do it
Not 100% positive but it sure looked like that’s what happened

Down on the field the officials can recognize certain cues, trends, whatever. Zebras possibly were trying to end the game prior to a fight, which is messy for all concerned.

 

[IndianFan]

Is everyone talking about the PN-G player injury with 3 minutes left in the game? Couldn’t see what happened on the field because the cameras were on the band.

 

[NDNmom91]

No, it was a little before that when a FBM went down with what appeared to be a cramp and the officials apparently signaled the players to take a knee

 

[Usedtocould]

Yes FBM player on the far side
Def a cramp etc not a serious injury you could tell

 

[NDNzeke]

Yes, if that team had a defense, they would have won state that year imo.

With a defense similar to last year’s and this year’s we may very well have won state each of the RJ years.