By TOM HALLIBURTON
Port Arthur News Sports Writer
PORT NECHES – To receive a great deal of rest on this night at The Reservation, a Port Neches-Groves Indian already must have proven himself.
That’s why PN-G head coach Matt Burnett is studying the strong possibility of limiting the playing time for his starters across the defensive line and at inside linebackers.
The proving ground at tonight’s 7:30 scrimmage against Humble does not lend itself to resting quarterback candidates such as Kirk Hallmark and John Frasier… not even if Burnett wished to hold them back.
Repetition becomes essential for Hallmark and Frasier a week before the Sept. 9 season opener against Crosby at Baytown’s Stallworth Stadium.
“Kirk needs the game experience,” Burnett said Wednesday. “I was pleased with how Kirk ran the offense. What he’s lacked is experience and that’s what he gained at Baytown.
“He doesn’t seem to get rattled with pressure and that’s something that’s hard to coach.”
A 6-1, 180-pound junior, Hallmark served as a backup receiver last year, making a significant reception in last year’s 4A Division II bidistrict playoff victory over Silsbee.
Hallmark jumped into the starting QB job a week ago after senior Tony Bowser experienced swelling in his knee. Bowser and fellow senior Cody Elkins planned to battle for the starting job. Now it’s Hallmark and the shorter, but excellent playmaker Frasier (5-8, 160).
Frasier threw two scoring passes as PN-G went on the long end of a 4-1 score with Baytown Sterling last Friday. The quarterback injuries opened the window of opportunity for Frasier, whose service was restricted to junior varsity action before last week.
“Frasier was a pleasant surprise,” Burnett said. “He handled it real well. He’s little but he makes plays and did a good job.”
While the quarterback situation is obvious among PN-G’s focus, the secondary and the left offensive tackle position also figure to go under the microscope at Indian Stadium.
Seniors Michael Thibodeaux (6-6, 302) and Colin Anderson (6-2, 220) are battling for the position. Thibodeaux has been the starter virtually throughout August. He started last week at Baytown but he has been slowed some in his progression with a back ailment.
“We’re still looking to find us a quick tackle,” Burnett said. “Thibodeaux didn’t play offense last year and he’s still having some growing pains there.”
The three secondary spots have been occupied by senior free safety Troy Cooley, senior right corner Jonathan Lumbley and junior left corner Keegan Swann. A hip flexor muscle strain has sidelined Lumbley, who has doubled as the offense’s starter at split end.
Lumbley did not suit out at Baytown and he practiced this week. But Burnett had no intention of suiting out Lumbley for the Humble scrimmage. Junior Adam Guillory and senior J.P. Bearden will share the playing time at right corner.
Baytown Sterling’s two quarterbacks (Joe Haney and Brian Woods) completed 25 of 46 passes for 230 yards and one score, but Sterling rushed for only 64 yards on 19 attempts. Burnett did not sound that disappointed in PN-G’s secondary though. Many of Sterling’s passes were quick-out tosses.
“It was a good scrimmage for our secondary,” PN-G’s coach said. “We were able to react on the ball and learn a lot. Our defensive front did a good job of putting a pass rush on their quarterbacks.”
After the Indians’ offense totally stayed on the ground for a seven-play, 65-yard scoring drive to start the scrimmage, Burnett and offensive coordinator Mike Long wisely decided to work on the passing game. Hallmark and Frasier combined for 11 of 26 passes, 174 yards and three touchdowns. That limited senior tailback Jeff Bergeron’s night to 39 rushing yards on nine carries.
Humble returns four starters on each platoon from an 8-3 District 22-5A champion team. The feature back in the Wildcats’ offense is 4.5 speedster Chuckie Anderson, who ran for 920 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.
Both first-team offenses will begin the scrimmage with 15 plays apiece followed by both second-team offenses with 12 plays each. The first units will follow with 10 apiece, followed by the second units doing 10 apiece. Two quarters of simulated-game conditions will complete the busy agenda.
