Next Game: PNG vs Texas High

[IndianFan]

Lifelong Texas High fan here. (Also with a cousin who is a PNG grad). TH fan base is strong, but admittedly is no match for the PNG fanbase that is legendary in Texas high school football. There are 3 high schools on the Texas side of town. All 3 are still alive in the playoffs. Liberty-Eylau (3A) and Pleasant Grove (4A) play on Friday afternoon, so there will not be any opportunity for the fan bases to join forces to support a Texarkana team. PNG fans will outnumber Texas High fans by a substantial margin.

Responding to a couple of comments on this thread. First, regarding the Texas High-Arkansas High game. It was discontinued primarily due to the fact that it was no longer competitive. Arkansas High has fallen on hard times and is much smaller than it was. It does neither side any good to have a rivalry game 50-0 at halftime. That leads to fights motivated by frustration. Safe call was to just not play the game anymore. Really sad. It also means that Texas High loses a local game and has to replace it with a long road trip to DFW or northwest Arkansas.

Grim Stadium. Yes seating is approximately 7500. The band and students do not sit on the "home" side. They take up approximately 40% of the visitors side, leaving the entire west stands for Tiger fans. Still one of the best places in the state to watch a game. No track. Minimal distance from concrete stands to the sideline. Concrete stands rise at steep angle to create a "cavern" effect. Horrible for band, drill team and cheerleaders. Great for fans watching a football game. Low in the stands you hear every conversation between coaches and officials and players.

Great old story about Earl Campbell being asked about the hardest hit he ever took playing football. His answer: The concrete wall at Grim Stadium in Texarkana.

I second the welcome Ace. Should be an interesting battle. No one is taking the Tigers lightly. Neither should the Indians be overlooked. The core is still there from last year. The outcome will probably come down to who executes best.

 

[Bordertown]

Second Tiger fan to Grace your message board. I have respect for the history of PNG. In my opinion, this is the best Tiger team since they won state in 2002. PNG is the state champion until someone knocks them off. That is the Texas High challenge this Friday. I have watched the Huntsville and Nederland game films. The following are my observations:
1) Both teams have very good OL and DL lines. It will be a good test for both teams. We will see which is better. The Texas High line has created running lanes for some talented backs and protected Potter in the passing game.
2) I was impressed by the power of #15 and quickness of #26. Hopefully #15 is good to go Friday. I was equally impressed with the Nederland RB, but Texas High did a good job containing him. Texas High has 3 rb options. Johnson (#4) is the starter and has commited to SFA. When he needs a rest Ball (#3) or Moore relieve him. Ball a junior has committed to Oregon.
3) Where I think the teams differ the most is in the passing game. I give the edge to Texas High. Potter has a 68% completion rate and spreads the ball to 4 receiver. He has only thrown one interception. Each in their own way are play makers. It appears the weakness in the PNG defense is their secondary. The secondary of Texas High is a strength With 18 nits. In watching PNG games, the Indians seem to rely on #11. I personally did not see a balanced passing attack.
4) Potter is a “pro style” QB. At 6’4” and about 225#, he is a big kid. The offensive line has given him very good protection. As the Tigers have a very efficient running game, he is not called on to run. But he is not a statute. He can run if the opportunity arises. It will be interesting to watch if PNG can pressure him and contain the run.
5) The same wall Earl Campbell met in the 70s at Grim is still there. The improvement is there is now padding on the wall.

One thing for sure, Friday will he an interesting game. The winner will have to earn it. Friday is what high school football is all about.

 

[Ace]

Welcome Ace! What’s the low down on the THS defense?

Not sure that I have the low down on the T-High defense, but I do have an amateur opinion that this is the best defense we've had in many years. Really athletic. Really mobile. Really fast. Several years ago there was a maddening weakness in the secondary. A couple of times a game they would blow coverage and allow a receiver to run free. That has not happened with any regularity this year, although early in the year Fayetteville was able to repeatedly make big plays against the defense.

#90 Duncan McGhee, a junior,, is one to keep an eye on in the defensive front. Plays interior DL. About 6'4", 265. Offers from SMU, TCU and others. Moves really well. Defensive ends are tall and lean. Not real heavy. The linebackers are super active but smallish. Secondary has been really solid. I am no coach, but in my opinion the defense is structured to stop spread offenses.

If I were going up against this defense, I would do just what several on this forum have suggested. That is, try to play old school smash mouth football. Run the ball between the tackles and grind out first downs, and then use play action or a downfield shot at opportune times. Marshall played most of the game attacking in that fashion and had good success with it for significant stretches of the game. Nederland tried it, but could not do it successfully. If PNG's offensive line can control the line of scrimmage and the Indians can grind out first downs and keep the Tigers' offense on the sideline, I expect this to be a tough, tight game.

But really, what do I know? Maybe this turns into a 55-54 big play score fest. We'll all show up and watch the kids lay it on the line and play hard and see who comes out on top. Should be fun.