Published 12:00 am CDT, Wednesday, October 31, 2007
By GREG HAYES Staff writer | BeaumontEnterprise.com
VIDOR — The Port Neches-Groves Indians defensive players hung their heads. Roman Franklin had just threaded a needle of a pass into the end zone to Bret Harris on a fourthand goal play from the 11 yard line with less than a minute in the fourth quarter, putting Vidor just a two-point conversion attempt away from a possible first win in District 22-4A.
But a yellow flag lay upon the grass of Ivan Croak Field following an offensive holding penalty, and PN-G’s defensive crew knew that they would have one more chance to hold onto their 14-7 lead and remain undefeated in district play.
And they made sure a miracle didn’t take place from 21 yards out, as Franklin was sacked to end the game for Vidor.
“We had to play a lot of defense tonight,” PNG head coach Matt Burnett said. “Coach [Jeff] Mathews always seems to do a good job preparing for us. This is the same final score as our matchup was with Vidor last year.”
Vidor had begun their final drive at their own 22 yard line, and went on an 18 play drive for their final attempt, gaining chunks of yardage against PN-G’s run defense, what many fans consider their strongest point.
“I’m proud of our kids,” Mathews said. “They fought to the end. We had them baffled for a few times in the fourth quarter due to our guys just working so hard. The sophomores on the team are taking baby steps, but they are getting better each week and gaining valuable experience.”
All points scored in the contest, from both teams, came in the first quarter.
Vidor struck first, silencing the PN-G faithful in the visiting stands, as the Indians Harrison Tatum threw a shovel pass right into the waiting arms of the Pirates’ Chris Teinert on just the third play of the first drive of the game from their own 28 yard line, resulting in the first score of the game with 10:52 remaining in the first quarter.
PN-G got back on track on their next drive, as they worked from their own 27 yard line to a score in 11 plays.
Joshua Wright punched the ball in on a third-and one play from the two yard line with 6:27 to play in the first quarter, tying the score 7-7 following the point after attempt.
The only other score on the night came off the legs of Jacob Hemmings, as he barreled in from three yards out on a third and goal with 1:35 to play in the first quarter, capping off an eightplay, 33-yard drive.
PN-G also found the end zone in the fourth quarter off a pass from Tatum to wide receiver Matt Johnson, but it was called back due to a holding call on the PN-G offensive line.
“We struggled with the quarterback and center exchange tonight several times and, well, sometimes things just don’t go your way,”Burnett said. “It is good that we were able to come out of this with a win.”
