By Gabriel Pruett | PANews.com
Published 11:50 pm Tuesday, August 30, 2016
PREP FOOTBALL: PN-GROVES (1-0) AT GC MEMORIAL (0-1)
• When: 7 p.m. Thursday
• Where: Stallworth Stadium, Baytown
• Radio: KCOL-FM 92.5
• Series record: PNG leads series 2-0; last meeting, PNG won 42-14 at Port Neches in 2015
PORT NECHES — Junior Austin Bost had quite the first week for the Port Neches-Groves Indians.
He did his job as a defensive back and made four tackles for the Indians in a 54-27 victory over Silsbee. He also scored a touchdown at quarterback when sophomore starter Roschon Johnson cramped up at the start of the second half.
“Austin Bost did not lose some competition for quarterback,” PNG coach Brandon Faircloth said. “Austin is a guy we needed in our secondary. He can play any position on the field. We had some guys graduate in our secondary and then we moved a couple to linebacker. We needed Austin back there.
Bost was needed at quarterback last Friday. He came in and proved why Faircloth holds him in such high regard.
Bost was 4-of-5 passing for 44 yards. He rushed four times for 24 yards and found the end zone. He also leaped over several defenders in one play.
“We found our next 110 hurdler at PNG,” Faircloth joked.
As for Bost, it was all part of helping the Indians win. It was much like how he handled the news he would not be the starting quarterback.
“I was fine with it,” Bost said. “Everyone wants to be the quarterback but as long as we are winning, Roschon can get the job done, then I will do whatever I can.”
Part of being QB2 is always knowing you are one play away from being QB1. Bost was obviously ready after halftime against Silsbee.
“I just had to prepared,” Bost said. “Roschon was having a great game, he cramped up and I had to do whatever I could to help the team.”
Johnson did have a good game in his first start. The sophomore had five touchdowns before halftime and finished with 75 yards rushing and 154 yards in the air on 10-of-13 passing with no interceptions.
Bost said he was proud to step in when his team needed him in the third quarter.
“I had fun,” Bost said. “Of course I miss playing quarterback, but Coach Faircloth and Coach [Dustin] Templin talked about moving to defense being the best for us and I am doing what I can.”
Bost said he enjoys defense. The Indians’ defense, known as the Landsharks, kept a very potent Silsbee attack in check for most of the night, considering the talent the Tigers have on the offensive side of the ball.
The Tigers finished with 15 first downs and 258 yards of total offense, 37 in the air and 221 on the ground.
“Defense is a lot of fun,” Bost added. “Coach Templin and Coach [Roy] Gatlin introduced me to all of it and really made me feel welcome on that side of the ball.”
Faircloth knows he can plug Bost in anywhere and he means anywhere.
“If I needed an left guard in an emergency, Austin Bost could do it,” Faircloth said. “He is a great football player. He is a great baseball player. He could be all-district soccer and basketball too if he wanted.”
