Published October 18, 2019 | PNGIndians.com
Week seven of the 2019 football season will be one to remember as past and present converge for the Port Neches-Groves Indians.
The Dayton Broncos visit The Reservation tonight as the Indians (4-2, 2-1) look to improve their offensive play and remain in the district championship chase.
The purple and white Broncos atypical record (1-5, 0-3) should be disregarded as Dayton teams historically give the favored Indians all they can handle.
The Indians and Broncos first played in 1931 and have played to an even 8-8-1 record since.
Indian fans will have an opportunity to honor and cheer the 1999 state finalist team prior to the kickoff.
It was 20 years ago that the Indians, led by all-state quarterback Dustin Long , along with a talented offensive and defensive cast, won 15 games on the way to the sixth state championship game in PN-G history.
That season included a dominant win over the favored LaMarque Cougars, and an impressive win over a powerful Schertz Clemens team to reach the Finals against the Art Brile’s led Stephenville Yellowjackets.
The Indians fell short of winning their 4th State Championship in school history, but nevertheless represented their communities well during that historical season, and are one of only two PN-G Teams with 14 wins in a single season.
Long would go on to set Texas A&M and Big 12 Conference passing records, including a 367 yard, seven touchdown performance against the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Pregame ceremonies are planned to honor the 1999 team including player introductions, a video replay of ‘The Drive’, and the opening coin toss with Matt Burnett doing the honors.
