October 5, 2010
‘Lumpy’ tells players, fans ‘don’t give up’
Tom Halliburton
The Port Arthur News
PORT NECHES — Greg Lunceford knows the legendary reputation of Port Neches-Groves football players and fans. They’re the best. They’re always faithful. They never give up.
When Friday night’s game contained less than four minutes to play and the Indians trailed 39-25 at Nederland, Lunceford noticed that PN-G fans headed toward Bulldog Stadium’s exits.
This reporter did not see what Lunceford observed. The 18-year-old senior offensive right tackle brought it up Tuesday clear out of the blue.
“Did you see our fans leaving early?” Greg said.
“No,” was the answer.
“I don’t know how they were looking at the game,” he said. “I know how we were looking at it. We knew we could score and get an onside kick and have a chance to score again, but I guess our fans didn’t. That’s just something that me mad.”
PN-G scored with a minute to play, cutting the deficit to 39-32. The Indians recovered an onside kick and moved into the red zone during the exciting final minute. A mishandled center snap exchange possibly prevented the Tribe from forcing overtime and winning.
“It’s not like our fans at all,” Lunceford said of their premature exit. “Nobody’s walking down our stands until the game’s usually over.”
Why is this two-year starter making such a point to his PN-G football readers? He’s making the same point to his teammates as one of the 2010 Indians captains — it’s not too late… don’t give up…. stay in the fight and keep the faith.
PN-G (1-4 and 0-2) arguably has deserved a much better fate than its first-half 2010 record. The Indians only can dedicate themselves to keep fighting and to start a winning streak Friday night on The Reservation against Lumberton at 7:30 p.m.
“I’m tired of losing,” said the 6-3, 250-pound normally happy sort nicknamed ‘Lumpy’. “This has been kind of a bummer coming from winning last year the way we did. It’s definitely frustrating. All I can do is keep working hard, and keep motivating my teammates. You can’t ever give up.”
Barring injury, the Port Arthur News 38th annual Super Team selection is headed to college football. He’s capable of getting much bigger than 250 pounds. One of 10 children to Mark and Regina Lunceford, Greg could get taller too. Then again he may stay the same height. His dad is 6-9. His mom is 5-2.
Lunceford has had the benefit of two entirely different type of offensive line coaches. Both current position coach Joe Dale Cary and former Indians line boss Dan Welch (now at Vidor) have enabled ‘Lumpy’ to develop as a quality young football prospect.
“They’re real different but they’re both good coaches,” Lunceford said. “Coach Welch had us in a three-point stance and taught us the knitty-gritty. He really got after it. Coach Cary has us in a two-point stance and I like how if you mess up, he shows you how to do it right.
“I was just getting to know our offense at this time last year. Coach Cary has helped us a lot with our pass protection. I’ve definitely gotten faster and stronger.”
Here’s a nice thought about PN-G’s intelligent fans which Lunceford needs to remember. His assistant head coach vividly recalled the moment in Texas City when Indians fans appreciated Greg’s effort so much that they gave him a standing ovation.
“We were down there and their outside linebacker intercepted a pass in the end zone,” Cary said. “Greg ran him down from behind and made the tackle at about the 15(-yard line). Our fans got up and cheered for him because they appreciated his effort.
“Greg’s motor runs and it never turns off. His toughness and desire to win is never questioned.”
Lunceford should know PN-G’s players and fans as well as anyone. His family, especially his grandfather Angus, has owned Indians’ season football tickets for 52 years.
Greg hopes the purple people stay way past the final horn Friday night. After three straight PN-G losses, Lunceford hungers to win the rest and finish his career strong.
Indian Inklings: Inside linebacker and captain Ryan St. Clair made it to midfield for last week’s coin toss on crutches (leg bruise) but could not play after sustaining the injury against Livingston. St. Clair remains questionable for Friday against Lumberton…. PN-G’s casualty list has reached a season-high, though, including or excluding St. Clair’s status… Senior quarterback-receiver Matt Desmond has suffered torn cartilage in his hip and has been ruled out for the year…. Backup senior tailback Grant Tatum has been ruled out for the year due to a torn labrum (shoulder joint)…. Senior wide receiver Collin Gizzi sustained a concussion against Nederland and is limited on participation at practice. A very capable senior Braden Grusecki (5-10, 190) likely will start in Gizzi’s spot…. Junior Steven Segler (5-11, 200) replaced St. Clair in the lineup last week as inside backer at Nederland…. While he doesn’t pile up the big stats, senior Austen O’Day (5-8, 180) has effectively turned into a solid starter at Desmond’s old H-back position. O’Day can be seen leading the way for many Chase Bertrand’s touchdown gallops…. Brandon Faircloth and his staff have continued to built a strong program on the junior varsity level. Coached by Ryan Cox, the unbeaten JV team defeated Nederland last Thursday 42-26.
Source: http://panews.com/sports/x921677683/Lumpy-tells-players-fans-dont-give-up
