Published 1:21 pm Friday, December 1, 2017
PORT NECHES — It was no surprise Port Neches-Groves junior Jose Ceja would have his number called to try and get the Indians to the 5A Division II Region III semifinals.
“He started the year on defense, and then we had some injuries at running back,” PNG coach Brandon Faircloth said. “We went and got him. He’s a really athletic kid, a smart kid, highly intelligent, so I knew he wouldn’t have any problem learning the plays.”
With 5:50 left in a deadlocked game with Texas City, Ceja made the play of his career.
Sophomore Gavin Deslatte went down with a knee injury, and Ceja filled in at running back. The converted cornerback rushed 18 yards for the eventual game-winning score.
“It’s one of those [once-in-a] lifetime things scoring a touchdown in NRG Stadium and going to the third round of the playoffs,” said Ceja, who shares the same name as his mixed martial artist uncle from Port Arthur. “You’ve just got to do what it takes to help the team get to the next round.”
And, to think that Ceja last played running back in eighth grade.
Saturday, PNG (10-1) will have another shot at College Station (10-2) at Humble’s Turner Stadium.
The Indians’ latest playoff run will be best remembered for the exploits of quarterback and University of Texas commit Roschon Johnson and wide receiver Preston Riggs. Deslatte, who was called up to the varsity in the area round of the 2016 5A Division II playoffs as a freshman, has steadily produced in the backfield, too, and he’s a “go” for Saturday.
But like his teammates, Ceja has been a factor all season.
“Making the transition from defense to offense shows his unselfishness,” running backs coach Taylor Byrd said. “He’s all about the team. His name might get overshadowed, but ever since he’s come over to offense, he’s made some big-time plays for us, none bigger than the one he had last week.”
Ceja has rushed for 372 yards on 40 carries this year, but he’s also scored six touchdowns. He enjoyed a breakout game against Baytown Lee (nine carries, 111 yards, two touchdowns) and led the Indians against Lumberton (nine carries, 71 yards).
All while sharing the backfield with a number of playmakers.
“Offensive line’s been great,” Ceja said. “The holes are there. I see them. The cutbacks and everything are there. I just try to hit them as hard as I can 100 miles an hour.”
Ceja hasn’t put up huge statistics in the playoffs. He just tries to make each run count.
His latest touchdown has earned the Indians another week of football.
“For our kids to make it to the third round of the playoffs for the second year in a row, that’s a big deal,” Faircloth said. “I’m really, really proud of them, and I’m really excited to see them play.”
Now comes trying to avenge last year’s defeat to College Station and getting to play the winner of Hutto vs. Fort Bend Marshall.
Ceja admitted with no hesitation last year’s third-round loss is a motivator.
“Oh, yeah, it does, especially since what happened last year, we’re going to try and give all we’ve got this year,” he said.
