http://www.panews.com/sports/local_story_255021221.html?keyword=topstory
Defense paves way to 3-0 for PN-G
By DAUCY CRIZER
The Port Arthur News
September 12, 2009 02:11 am
— PORT NECHES - Senior Caleb Harmon churned out another 100-yard rushing game and a stifling defensive effort was just enough, as Port Neches-Groves held off a furious second half rally for a 22-16 overtime win over visiting Texas City Friday night at The Reservation.
Some games, you can tell the outcome by just looking at the stat sheet instead of the scoreboard. However, that was not the case in this game.
The Indians held the Stingarees to no first downs and just 12 yards of total offense in building a 16-0 halftime lead. PN-G outgained Texas City 319 to 149 for the game.
Yet, the Stingarees were able to drive 70 yards over the final four minutes of the fourth quarter to tie the game at 16-16. Texas City was able to get back in the game with a better defensive effort in the second half and on special teams. Punter Sam Martin managed to keep the Indians pinned in their own end most of the night and the Stingarees blocked three kicks.
“Give Texas City credit, they did a great job in the second half,” said PN-G coach Brandon Faircloth, who notched his third straight win to start his head coaching career. “Things aren’t always going to go our way and our kids and our coaches know that.
“The one thing we do have is heart and pride and determination. We have faith in our coaches and our teammates that we’re going to bounce back. Our kids hung in there tonight and they believed.”
The Indians, leading 16-8, were looking to ice the game when Dylan Browning lined up for a 32-yard field goal with 4:32 remaining in the game. De’Lynn Rice raced around the left side and blocked Browning’s kick.
Texas City (1-2) started the game-tying drive at its own 30. A pair of runs by quarterback Ryan Harper netted 22 yards. Another 6-yard run was aided by a 15-yard penalty for a horse collar tackle on PN-G that put the ball at the 28. Justin Branch, who was bottled up all night by the Indians swarming defense, broke loose for a 10-yard gain to give the Stingarees a first down at the 14.
A face mask penalty against the Indians on Harper’s 4-yard gain gave Texas City first-and-goal at the 4. On third-and-goal from the 8, Harper hit Andrew Gutierrez in the back left corner of the end zone to pull the Stingarees within two with 21 seconds left in regulation.
Needing a two-point conversion to tie the game, Harper looked like he wanted to rush up the middle on a quarterback keeper, but had to bounce it off right tackle. He was met by several Indians in pursuit but managed to stretch the ball just to the goalline for the conversion to tie the game at 16-16.
Texas City had the ball first to start the first overtime period. On its second play from scrimmage, Harper fumbled the ball, which was recovered by the Indians’ Blake Brooks.
PN-G (3-0) called on Harmon to put the game away and he responded. His first carry of overtime went for 12 yards. He followed with a 13-yard touchdown scamper that gave the Indians a 22-16 win.
The Indians completely dominated Texas City in the first half. Browning’s 29-yard field goal opened the scoring in the first quarter. An interception by David St. Clair set up PN-G with field position at the Texas City 32 midway through the second quarter.
On third-and-nine, QBBrennan Doty scrambled out of the pocket to his left and found Spencer DeRon for a 31-yard scoring strike. Browning’s extra point was blocked to make the score 9-0.
Aaron Brandom recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, but the Indians weren’t able to capitalize. Rice blocked Browning’s 35-yard field goal attempt.
The Indians were successful on their next possession. After a Harmon 12-yard run to midfield, Doty hit a streaking Blake Reyenga for a 50-yard TD pass to make the score 16-0.
“That was the best first half of defense I may have ever seen,” said Faircloth of the Indians defensive efforts in the opening stanza. “Coaches Kroecker, Templin, Arnaud, Cox and Lefort had the defense ready to play versus the Stingarees tonight. We stacked the line of scrimmage. They’re (Texas City) run game is their strength and our coaches did a good job of taking away what they do well.”
Texas City finally got on the board late in the third quarter. Taking advantage of a short field, Harper scored on a 21-yard quarterback draw. He also ran in the two-point conversion to make the score 16-8.
Harmon led all rushers with 156 yards on 24 carries. He gained 101 yards in the second half on 15 totes. Doty completed 11-of-22 passes for 163 yards. That balanced offensive attack kept the Stingarees defense off-balance most of the game.
“Caleb Harmon is all heart,” said Faircloth. “There’s nobody that’s going to play harder than him. He’s one of our captains and he’s a leader. As he goes our offense goes at times. We gave it to him twice in overtime and that was the ball game.”
unchingbag:
