PN-G Indians 49, La Porte Bulldogs 35

[bandkid]

Offense and special teams looked much improved tonight versus their game against Klein Oak. Defense had some issues, but was also playing an offense as talented as any we’ll see the rest of the season running a scheme that always gives defenses trouble. Managed a pick six and a crucial fumble recovery in the process, at that.

All in all, a good win for the Indians. I think we’re well prepared for district play.

 

[NDNzeke]

If we tackle like that, Huntsville gonna blow us up.

We definitely need a heavy dose of tackle drills. On the other hand, it has typically been late in the season before we face an option team as good as LP.

 

[1970]

PNG Indians - 49
#3 Barns - 35

 

[HomeTown99]

Just got home from the game. Good news is we have 2 weeks to learn how to tackle before our next game. Granted, the LaPorte kid was quick and low to the ground, but we had our hands on him several times and he just got away - I’m guessing he had over 250 yards rushing alone. Film room with McDaniel will be interesting for the defense tomorrow! Thank goodness the offensive line showed up and dominated the game once again.

 

[Justafan]

McDaniel hasn’t been on the sidelines this year.

 

[1970]

PNG Indians - 49
#3 Barns - 35

I just got corrected by a LP fan, over on SETX. Barnes didn't score them all, he had 3, and Sandolph had 2. I coulda swore I saw #3 score them all, but no matter. I sure was glad the O stepped up. And also relieved that LP punted with 5-or-so minutes remaining in the game, behind by 2 scores. Blair's subsequent TD put us up by 3. Our defense better start tackling, or it's gonna seem like the old pre-Joseph days when we had to score 50 every game in order to win. They seem a little slower than last years defense overall, but I'm guessing/hoping that there will be improvement before we play LC and Huntsville.

 

[pngfan316]

#27 Henry impressed me today.

 

[#1 NDN FAN]

I don’t think so. As someone else posted, we played Faircloth Defense tonight. We are not going to win another District championship, much less a State championship, if we keep playing Defense like this. LaPorte was almost unstoppable. We have been sloppy on Defense all year. If the last two teams we played had gotten a few breaks, those scores would have been a lot closer, and we could have lost them both. Thank goodness our Offense was more than capable of bailing us out.

I read countless times on this message board last year that “Defense Wins Championships.” We’ve got 2 weeks to relearn how to tackle people and play Championship Defense. Let’s show people why PN-G is the number one ranked team in the State!

 

[Xcrystalbeachbum]

#27 Henry impressed me today.

He is patient picking his hole and then explosive when he hits it. No fumbles. Him and Chatagnier are both outstanding running backs!

 

[Xcrystalbeachbum]

First home game and we seemed flatter than a pancake....but the good news is we have enough talent to beat a good offensive team on an off day. Best news is we have 2 weeks to reenergize and work on some stuff before our district opener. 3 and 0 Baby!

 

[HomeTown99]

McDaniel hasn’t been on the sidelines this year.

He’s been in the press box. Dude needs to get back to the sidelines.

 

[bandkid]

Let’s keep things in perspective.

La Porte is this year’s Memorial on our schedule. The talent levels are comparable. Don’t let the record fool you; La Porte had only played 6A teams coming into last night, and Memorial lost to a 6A team last night.

We lost to Memorial the last two years running. Badly. The PN-G team I saw play La Porte last night looked much better on the whole than the PN-G teams I watched play Memorial in 2022 and 2023. It also looked generally improved from the PN-G team I watched play Klein Oak two weeks ago.

I think our defense was truly challenged for the first time last night. More challenged than it was versus Klein Oak and certainly more challenged than versus United. That exposed some weaknesses to work on. That’s alright—that’s what pre-district games are for. Nonetheless, they forced two key turnovers that ended up deciding the margin of victory. Frankly, going into game week this week, I thought La Porte would play a closer game against PN-G than they actually did.

This is the first undefeated pre-district record of the already storied Joseph era at PN-G. What have we seen in both of Joseph’s prior seasons here? Continuous improvement from game to game. We’ve seen it so far this season, too, and I have little doubt we’ll continue to see it this season. We have two weeks to prepare for Lake Creek. The Indians will be ready.

Not sure what the deal is with McDaniel. Heard he’s been seen limping around a few times this season. Certainly hope he’s alright.

Always be faithful, folks. Scalp ‘em.

 

[IndianFan]

Notes to self... Perspective is important.

3 weeks into the season.

Some new pieces of the defense still trying to level up.

Just played against two fantastic running backs who are going to get their yards against any team this year.

LP backs were running behind a big and experienced offensive line. That line also gave their QB some time to throw the ball. (Sound familiar?).

Amazing special teams play by the Indians. Kickoffs and kickoff returns.

Excellent as expected run blocking. Pass protection can improve some more. Also had some dropped passes.

Tyson Henry is going to add a much needed dimension to the running game, splitting time with Chatagnier.

Good pursuit by PN-G defense.

The pass defense looked good at times.

Seth Brisboe is standing out as a pretty good coverage guy.

La Porte’s excellent o-line and pass protection was a key for them.

Pass defense will tighten up if the pass rush can apply more pressure. That good LP o-line had everything to do with that.

The Indians met an impressive offense, and had the more impressive offense. 49-35. Despite the challenge of tackling those backs, the Indians still pounded out a 49-35 win. More power won over power.

There is time to improve and shore up weaknesses uncovered.

On to the next game.

 

[Torino]

Longview looks good. SOC looks human. Too early to say much other than Longview might should be ranked higher.

Well, SOC rallied to win over Longview 45-44. SOC looked pretty good. Longview was unranked by TEXAS FOOTBALL but ranked #18 in 6A by MAXPREPS

 

[hookem14]

Something to keep in mind regarding the defense. Isaac Uriostegui, #43, inside linebacker and possibly our best tackler, who was injured in the spring and has not played a single down this year, is scheduled to be back for district play. This is going to be a huge. He has a great nose for the ball and is our defensive captain. Him being back on the field makes everyone better.

 

[1989NDN]

The Indians must tackle better. Lake Creek QB Eli Morcos and RB Tyvonn Byars will be the best talent that PN-G has seen since SOC. Morcos can run and throw. He's a D-1 talent and Tyvonn Byars has several offers, too, but I think he may be committed to Rice. The LaPorte RBs were good. Byars is better. I'm worried that Morcos will do some damage to our young secondary. He won't miss the throws that Klein Oak, Beaumont United, and LaPorte missed. Contain and tackle. I hope we take the air out of the ball. Tell the OL that this game is all yours because the Indians will run, run, run, and run some more. No turnovers. Control the line of scrimmage and the clock. Keep Morcos and Byars on the sidelines.

 

[Justafan]

I saw Gary Joesph at the game standing in the end zone area and never took his eyes off the field. At halftime Jeff walked over to him and his dad was talking to him for a couple mins then walked to the field house talking the whole way then walked away, but was back in the same place the whole 2nd half.

 

[prepballfan]

According to some research Lake Creeks D is smaller than last seasons especially on the line. This of course is Internet info but looking at the videos I could find they do look somewhat smaller on the d line. Hopefully our big o line can push them around some and wear them down as the game goes on.

 

[NDNmom91]

No matter what, there’s NO DOUBT that Coach Joseph and McDaniel are FULLY aware of the challenges ahead of us and have been using the non-district games to evaluate EVERYTHING in order to prepare and put the best players on the field! It’s definitely felt “off” with McDaniel not being on the sideline but I’m sure there’s a reason for that. It could be a safety precaution to have him in the press box if he’s dealing with an injury or a coaching decision to give him a better view and more effectively evaluate things prior to district play. Either way, I do hope he’s back on the sidelines SOON!

 

[Justafan]

Seen a lot of defensive players on the headset most likely speaking to McDaniels.