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PN-G aiming high again
Cody Pastorella
CNHI - Port Arthur News
PORT NECHES — PORT NECHES — Rumor has it that the Port Neches-Groves Indians produced the only undefeated varsity and junior varsity regular seasons in Class 4A football in 2009. Rumor or not, PN-G chief Brandon Faircloth admitted two undefeated seasons in one program is a rarity.
Faircloth added how impressed he was with last year's JV squad and praised his coaching staff for grooming that group for the 2010 campaign, which begins Aug. 28 at San Antonio’s Alamodome against Gregory Portland.
"We give them (JV) a lot of attention," Faircloth explained during a water break at his team's Tuesday workout at the Reservation. "They have their own practices. They run the same offense, defense and special teams as the varsity does. They are the next group of varsity players so we want them ready for Friday nights."
Faircloth also said that he liked that his newcomers joined the varsity having experienced a lot of success.
"There is no doubt that they are coming in with a lot of confidence," he stated. "Several of them will be starting or playing significant roles for us. Obviously, we like that they know what it takes to win and that they have that winning attitude."
Among those ripe newcomers is junior running back Chase Bertrand. The Indians will be looking for him to fill the shoes of 2009's District 20-4A MVP and Port Arthur News Super Team tailback Caleb Harmon.
Faircloth said Bertrand is a special player with similar skills as Harmon.
"We aren't asking Chase to be Caleb. We want him to be Chase. He has his own unique skills. We're going to use those strengths because we have a lot of confidence in him," said Faircloth who has three returning offensive linemen and senior quarterback Brennan Doty to ease Bertrand's move to varsity.
Doty said he is more than comfortable with his offensive line and his new running back.
"Chase is a lot like Caleb," explained Doty. "He is strong like Caleb and he works just as hard. I'm happy to have him by my side. He is going to do a great job because he wants to. He wants to shine."
Hard work is something Faircloth said his quarterback and running back did a lot of over the summer. In fact, Bertrand spent the off-season working with Harmon.
"He pushed me hard," Bertrand said. "He set the standard for PN-G running backs. I'm determined to keep that in my mind and to live up to that. That is a goal of mine. I want to do what he did."
Bertrand agreed that his quarterback and offensive line should make life easier for him.
"Doty is a great leader. He opens up the field for us. And we have good receivers and a big offensive line that plays hard every down."
Faircloth would not say it outright but he is as confident that this team is as capable as last year's 11-1 squad which claimed a district title and reached the Class 4A area playoff round.
"This is a totally different team. We have new starters so we have to look at it that way," he said. "We have to keep this team separate from last year's team. The goals are the same and we're excited. The players are excited to be out here and that makes me more excited."
Cody Pastorella
CNHI - Port Arthur News
PORT NECHES — PORT NECHES — Rumor has it that the Port Neches-Groves Indians produced the only undefeated varsity and junior varsity regular seasons in Class 4A football in 2009. Rumor or not, PN-G chief Brandon Faircloth admitted two undefeated seasons in one program is a rarity.
Faircloth added how impressed he was with last year's JV squad and praised his coaching staff for grooming that group for the 2010 campaign, which begins Aug. 28 at San Antonio’s Alamodome against Gregory Portland.
"We give them (JV) a lot of attention," Faircloth explained during a water break at his team's Tuesday workout at the Reservation. "They have their own practices. They run the same offense, defense and special teams as the varsity does. They are the next group of varsity players so we want them ready for Friday nights."
Faircloth also said that he liked that his newcomers joined the varsity having experienced a lot of success.
"There is no doubt that they are coming in with a lot of confidence," he stated. "Several of them will be starting or playing significant roles for us. Obviously, we like that they know what it takes to win and that they have that winning attitude."
Among those ripe newcomers is junior running back Chase Bertrand. The Indians will be looking for him to fill the shoes of 2009's District 20-4A MVP and Port Arthur News Super Team tailback Caleb Harmon.
Faircloth said Bertrand is a special player with similar skills as Harmon.
"We aren't asking Chase to be Caleb. We want him to be Chase. He has his own unique skills. We're going to use those strengths because we have a lot of confidence in him," said Faircloth who has three returning offensive linemen and senior quarterback Brennan Doty to ease Bertrand's move to varsity.
Doty said he is more than comfortable with his offensive line and his new running back.
"Chase is a lot like Caleb," explained Doty. "He is strong like Caleb and he works just as hard. I'm happy to have him by my side. He is going to do a great job because he wants to. He wants to shine."
Hard work is something Faircloth said his quarterback and running back did a lot of over the summer. In fact, Bertrand spent the off-season working with Harmon.
"He pushed me hard," Bertrand said. "He set the standard for PN-G running backs. I'm determined to keep that in my mind and to live up to that. That is a goal of mine. I want to do what he did."
Bertrand agreed that his quarterback and offensive line should make life easier for him.
"Doty is a great leader. He opens up the field for us. And we have good receivers and a big offensive line that plays hard every down."
Faircloth would not say it outright but he is as confident that this team is as capable as last year's 11-1 squad which claimed a district title and reached the Class 4A area playoff round.
"This is a totally different team. We have new starters so we have to look at it that way," he said. "We have to keep this team separate from last year's team. The goals are the same and we're excited. The players are excited to be out here and that makes me more excited."
