By ROYAL M. HOPPER III
Port Arthur News Staff News writer
COLLEGE STATION – If fan loyalty and dedication were all it took to win football games the Port Neches-Groves Indians would have won the Super Bowl several times already.
1999 Semi-Finals
In the Class 5A state finals against Odessa Permian in 1975 and the one against Plano in 1977, both surpassed 40,000 in total attendance. There is a certain kind of insanity which seems to grip football fans in Port Neches and Groves when their team makes it to the playoffs. They will follow them anywhere and cheer them on no matter what.
If the sea of purple and white clad fans that filled Kyle Field Saturday was any indication, the new Indians fans seemed no less dedicated.
There was easily twice as many fans on the Indians east side of the stadium as there was on the side of the Clemens Buffaloes side, the Indians opponents in this game.
The purple tide started on Texas 73 to Winnie, rolled through Houston and collected in Aggie stadium starting about three hours before game time, because it is after all a three hour drive to College Station. Some PN-G fans who had not yet bought tickets showed up at the stadium at noon – more than five hours before the game, to get tickets.
The only break in the sea of purple was the occasional yellow and red of raincoats brought on by the rainy, foggy weather and chili temperatures.
The pre-game reaction of the fans was predictably enthusiastic. There were fans dressed head to toe in purple. There were grandmothers and grandfathers acting like teenagers shouting in their enthusiasm for the Indians, there was even one fan who dressed like a real Indian buckskins and all. However, it was four PNG high school students whom seemed to personify the football madness that grips the people of Port Neches and Groves in times like these.
Aaron Mouton, Adam Wallace, Bud Wilkins and Josh Trevino all painted their faces various shades of purple and white to go with the purple and white clothes they wore. One of them even wore a headdress that appeared to be made of various articles of clothing.
“We are here to make buffalo wings,” said one of the young fans. Although none of them was old to remember the glory days of the early and mid 70’s, they had heard of them and admitted that they were, “trying to bring back the excitement and spirit of the old days. We expect a 60-0 victory” said the boys as they turned their attention back to the ensuing kickoff.
When PN-G scored on the game’s first and second possessions, it appeared that their prediction of an easy victory might come true.
Clemens is a tough and talented team and when they fought back and scored in the second quarter, the Indians’ opponent caused the Indians’ fans to yell even louder.
One elderly fan, too busy yelling to give his name, was still not satisfied with the volume of the cheering early in the game turned around and screamed “ya’ll give ’em hell,” before turning back to the game and yelling some more.
The crowd quieted down a little at half time, enjoying the performance of the bands but eager to get back to the game.
Clemens scored again and went ahead by 4. Still the Indian fans did not give up and they yelled louder than ever. When the PN-G offense moved the ball but could not seem to find the end zone in the third quarter, they still cheered.
When it became apparent that the Indians faced an uphill battle the fans were a little quieter but they kept on cheering. When quarterback Dustin Long ran in for a touchdown they caught fire.
When the Indian defense finally stopped the Buffaloes cold on the next drive they turned almost ecstatic.
Port Neches and Groves are not exactly party towns but it’s a strong bet there will be celebrations in both. Because when the Indians won the game, their fans acted like it was exactly what they expected.
No matter what happens in the future, PN-G can be proud of the loyalty and dedication its fans have shown this season and for more than 30 previous seasons.
