Matt Faye | BeaumontEnterprise.com
Oct. 31, 2022
It’s crazy how one drive can completely change the outlook of a season.
Port Neches-Groves fans know exactly what I’m talking about.
Trailing late against Nederland on Friday night, PN-G put together a drive that will go down among the best finishes in the Mid-County Madness rivalry’s great history. With all the pressure on the favorite, PN-G, quarterback Cole Crippen delivered by marching his offense 70 yards through the rain for a game-winning score with less than a minute remaining.
The clutch drive returned the Bum Phillips Trophy to Port Neches, but I think it had a much bigger impact than just that. Instead of reeling after a loss to its rival, PN-G now has major momentum with one week left in the regular season.
I have a feeling this Mid-County Madness win could propel PN-G to another deep playoff run.
There’s something to be said for taking an opponent’s best punch and responding right back. That’s exactly what PN-G did last Friday night.
Nederland recovered a late fumble and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown that put the Bulldogs up 24-20 before Port Neches-Groves’ crucial touchdown drive.
PN-G had every excuse to loss the game. A torrential downpour and an “unlucky” break with the late fumble would make most teams pack it in, but not PN-G.
They stepped up in the face of massive adversity, and that’s a sign of a team built for the playoffs. When you steal a win like that, it makes everyone believe.
But it’s not just the Mid-County Madness win that makes me think this PN-G team could be dangerous in the postseason. Much like last year, PN-G is trending up at exactly the right time.
Since losing to state powerhouse, Fort Bend Marshall, in late September, PN-G has won five straight games and has the inside track to the No. 2 seed in the district.
In Crippen, PN-G has one of the best pure passers in Southeast Texas. He leads an offense that can move up and down the field with ease, as evidenced by last Friday’s clutch two-minute drill when PN-G needed it most.
PN-G surprised many last season by going three rounds deep in the Class 5A-II bracket. This year, all the signs are pointing that way again.
Mid-County Madness was a magical moment for this PN-G team, but I think it was a springboard for bigger things to come.
