By TOM HALLIBURTON
Port Arthur News Sports Writer
PORT NECHES — Tony Bowser always has tried to blend in and be one of the guys at Port Neches-Groves.
That’s why all the guys have wanted to excel for him. That’s why they’ve all been happy for him. All the Indians — from Kirk Hallmark to Cody Clark — can relate to Tony’s senior season in PN-G’s football program.
When Tony’s had his bumps and bruises, the team has too. When Tony’s looked good, the team has too. At Tony’s most depressing moments, there the Indians have been, equally depressed. And in Tony’s more fulfilling recent times, the Tribe has felt more fulfilled too.
Bowser’s season has served as a microcosm of PN-G’s entire team. The most important thing for both Tony and PN-G, is that things seem to have jelled at the right time.
“I know our whole team has had more confidence in the last two weeks,” Bowser said. “We’ve got that feeling back like we had last year. It makes you feel like we’re rolling.”
How long has it taken for the Indians to get rolling. Well, how long has it taken Bowser to get rolling.
The 18-year-old son of Kyle and Becky Bowser learned plenty as Dustin Long’s understudy last year. He added hard work in the off-season on top of that. Then he did plenty well enough in the opening scrimmage against West Brook.
But his knee would swell up the morning of PN-G’s second scrimmage at Baytown Sterling. A Friday MRI revealed four cartilage tears which preceded a Saturday arthroscopic surgery.
Tony’s world came crashing down on his 6-0, 180-pound frame. As Kirk Hallmark settled into the starting quarterback role for the first three games, Bowser had to rehab his knee and had to be content with limited opportunities.
Bowser’s opportunity window opened ever so slightly in the second quarter at Humble Kingwood. But the world seemed to crash on Tony and PN-G that night. The Indians suffered seven turnovers, including two second-quarter Bowser interceptions.
“That was my first time back,” Bowser recalled. “That was my shot. After that game, I pretty much everything was over with.”
Bowser received his first starting assignment two weeks later at Vidor. The Indians once again mirrored Tony’s performance — good enough to win but far from magnificent.
By then the Indians’ staff decided to return to Hallmark for the district opener against West Orange-Stark. Bothered by an ankle injury, fellow senior QB Cody Elkins decided to leave the team. Bowser could understand why Elkins would feel that way. Each senior had swallowed more than a tablespoon of frustration.
“It crossed my mind (leaving the team),” Bowser admitted. “But I didn’t want to do that. All my friends played so I said that I might as well stick it out. It’s hard to make yourself go out there when you know you’re not going to play. I could see how Cody would feel that way because he’s got baseball too.”
Encouraging words from fellow senior Jared Gary were beneficial in picking up Bowser’s spirits.
“Jared’s one of my best friends,” Bowser said. “He was telling me to stick with it. You’ll get your chance. I’ve really got a lot of friends on the team that have been on my side. So I’m glad I didn’t quit.”
Bowser’s playing time took an unexpected twist when Hallmark twisted his knee late in the first quarter against Lincoln. The Indians had to have Tony at his best. That’s exactly what Tony delivered — his best.
“That’s been the highlight for me so far,” he said. “I’ve had two pretty good games in a row. It’s been complicated for everybody.”
PN-G’s coaches saw similar arm strength in Hallmark and Bowser. Hallmark kept getting more playing time especially while Bowser was rehabilitating his knee. Hallmark also had more height and a quicker release.
“We felt we needed something different after Kirk hurt his knee against Lincoln,” PN-G head coach Matt Burnett said. “Tony changed the tempo of the Lincoln game when we inserted him. Hallmark has handled unselfishly with great class. Plus, he gives us an outstanding additional receiver.
“Everybody has rooted for Tony because of his dedication to football. And I think since we said, ‘you’re the guy’, I think our team has been affected very positively.”
INDIAN INKLINGS
Indians have a simple ‘Al Davis’ playoff formula, “just win, baby” and the Indians would reach the playoffs with the edge in all tiebreakers against the remaining 20-4A playoff contenders….. Senior Adam Brittain, a special teams standout, is sidelined by a broken ankle sustained at last Friday’s victory over Little Cypress-Mauriceville…. The rest of the Indians look to be healthy for Friday night’s Mid County Madness renewal against Nederland…. Indians coaches plan no lineup changes for this week…. Friday’s game will be aired on The Port Arthur News Friday Night Experience on Cable 7 at 7:30 Saturday and Tuesday nights. The Lincoln/TJ Port Arthur Pride Bowl will be aired on Cable 7 at 7:30 Sunday and Wednesday nights….. Tackle leaders at LC-M were ILB Trayce Boudoin (11 first hits and 4 assists), FS Troy Cooley (4 and 5), DE Justin Mercer (4 and 3) and ILB Cody Clark (6 and 1). That was Cody, wearing No. 64 in the white jersey, instead of his normal No. 34, in case he would have been needed in a backup offensive guard capacity. Rules require offensive line players to wear a number of 50 and above….
