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By Gabriel Pruett The News sports writer
Big things are always expected out of the Port Neches-Groves Indians and Nederland Bulldogs each and every football season.
Being average is simply not good enough around Mid County.
Both teams marched to the playoffs in 2013 and this year both are expected to return to the postseason. A district title is not out of question for either squad.
That being said, Brandon Faircloth with the Indians and Larry Neumann with the Bulldogs each has a few questions to get answered before the talk of championships can start.
This Friday marks the first scrimmages for high school teams. Port Neches-Groves entertains both Little Cypress-Mauriceville and Hamshire-Fannett in a tri-game while Nederland makes a trip to face West Orange-Stark. Both games are scheduled for 7pm.
So heading into the matches here are a few questions the teams need to solve.
PORT NECHES-GROVES
1. How do the Indians replace the numbers put up by former receiver Jeremiah Rose?
Rose lit it up in his career at PN-G with 154 career receptions, a school record, and finished 2013 grabbing 90 passes. The first option is Kaleb Sparks who had 51 receptions last year as a junior. A long drive through the 7-on-7 tournament might be the difference in making sure first-year starting quarterback Adam Morse is in sync with his weapons.
2. Will two scrimmages and only three non-district games be enough time for Morse and offense to gel?
It is very obvious Morse is a talented player who Faircloth trusts. He is a smart football player who can hurt teams with his legs and arm. One of the most important aspects of being a quarterback is timing and chemistry with receivers, running backs and linemen. Yes the 7-on-7 helped but it does not compare to what Morse will face on Friday nights against quality opponents such as West Orange-Stark, Nederland and Beaumont Central.
3. Can PN-G’s defense mirror the 2013 team that was stingy in district play?
PN-G’s explosive offense is always the focal point but do not be fooled into thinking the defense is full of slouches. The Indians in district last year only gave up 129 points, 18 points per game. This year’s crop does have holes to fill after the graduation of players like Bradley Broussard, Corbin Coy and Chris Mangini. Faircloth knows you have to be solid in all three phases of the game to be successful so expect a hard working unit to be on the field starting Friday.
NEDERLAND
1. How explosive at quarterback will Sage Seay be in his first year under center to replace Preston White?
White came in and threw for over 1,800 yards with 16 touchdowns in his only year as the starting signal caller last year. It is Seay’s turn at the helm and he will bring a new element to the offense with his legs. Seay is a shifty, speedy guy who is also learning quite quickly, according to Neumann, the other roles of being the quarterback. If Seay and the Bulldogs offense have a break out season the Bulldogs could once again be crowned district champs for the fourth year in a row.
2. Is Leon Mayfield the best defensive player most people don’t know?
Mayfield is a beast at linebacker. That is just the simple, honest fact. Mayfield’s name has not been tossed around a lot due to missing a season two years ago because of a knee injury and last year playing on the same side of the ball as guys like DeShawn Washington, Caleb Malveaux and Colton Kimler. Mayfield has not been a big headline guy, yet, but it is for certain opposing coaches will know where to find him.
3. How do the Bulldogs replace Kimler?
A team doesn’t just throw a player on the field and expect them to duplicate the type of season Kimler had in 2013. This is a guy who had four interceptions in one game and led the team with 44 catches while averaging 19.5 yards per reception. While it is hard to imagine one guy replacing Kimler, the Bulldogs can try to use the Oakland Athletics baseball idea. The A’s are great at losing a superstar and having him replaced by several players who produce numbers equal to what is lost.
Big things are always expected out of the Port Neches-Groves Indians and Nederland Bulldogs each and every football season.
Being average is simply not good enough around Mid County.
Both teams marched to the playoffs in 2013 and this year both are expected to return to the postseason. A district title is not out of question for either squad.
That being said, Brandon Faircloth with the Indians and Larry Neumann with the Bulldogs each has a few questions to get answered before the talk of championships can start.
This Friday marks the first scrimmages for high school teams. Port Neches-Groves entertains both Little Cypress-Mauriceville and Hamshire-Fannett in a tri-game while Nederland makes a trip to face West Orange-Stark. Both games are scheduled for 7pm.
So heading into the matches here are a few questions the teams need to solve.
PORT NECHES-GROVES
1. How do the Indians replace the numbers put up by former receiver Jeremiah Rose?
Rose lit it up in his career at PN-G with 154 career receptions, a school record, and finished 2013 grabbing 90 passes. The first option is Kaleb Sparks who had 51 receptions last year as a junior. A long drive through the 7-on-7 tournament might be the difference in making sure first-year starting quarterback Adam Morse is in sync with his weapons.
2. Will two scrimmages and only three non-district games be enough time for Morse and offense to gel?
It is very obvious Morse is a talented player who Faircloth trusts. He is a smart football player who can hurt teams with his legs and arm. One of the most important aspects of being a quarterback is timing and chemistry with receivers, running backs and linemen. Yes the 7-on-7 helped but it does not compare to what Morse will face on Friday nights against quality opponents such as West Orange-Stark, Nederland and Beaumont Central.
3. Can PN-G’s defense mirror the 2013 team that was stingy in district play?
PN-G’s explosive offense is always the focal point but do not be fooled into thinking the defense is full of slouches. The Indians in district last year only gave up 129 points, 18 points per game. This year’s crop does have holes to fill after the graduation of players like Bradley Broussard, Corbin Coy and Chris Mangini. Faircloth knows you have to be solid in all three phases of the game to be successful so expect a hard working unit to be on the field starting Friday.
NEDERLAND
1. How explosive at quarterback will Sage Seay be in his first year under center to replace Preston White?
White came in and threw for over 1,800 yards with 16 touchdowns in his only year as the starting signal caller last year. It is Seay’s turn at the helm and he will bring a new element to the offense with his legs. Seay is a shifty, speedy guy who is also learning quite quickly, according to Neumann, the other roles of being the quarterback. If Seay and the Bulldogs offense have a break out season the Bulldogs could once again be crowned district champs for the fourth year in a row.
2. Is Leon Mayfield the best defensive player most people don’t know?
Mayfield is a beast at linebacker. That is just the simple, honest fact. Mayfield’s name has not been tossed around a lot due to missing a season two years ago because of a knee injury and last year playing on the same side of the ball as guys like DeShawn Washington, Caleb Malveaux and Colton Kimler. Mayfield has not been a big headline guy, yet, but it is for certain opposing coaches will know where to find him.
3. How do the Bulldogs replace Kimler?
A team doesn’t just throw a player on the field and expect them to duplicate the type of season Kimler had in 2013. This is a guy who had four interceptions in one game and led the team with 44 catches while averaging 19.5 yards per reception. While it is hard to imagine one guy replacing Kimler, the Bulldogs can try to use the Oakland Athletics baseball idea. The A’s are great at losing a superstar and having him replaced by several players who produce numbers equal to what is lost.
