By Tom Halliburton | BeaumontEnterprise.com
Updated 1:32 am, Saturday, September 24, 2016
PORT NECHES
Sophomore Roschon Johnson threw for four touchdowns and ran for another as the Indians defeated Livingston, 41-21.
WHAT HAPPENED
Directing a turnover-free performance, Johnson completed 13 of 18 passes for 185 yards and added 15 carries for 86 yards to ignite PN-G.
Junior tailback Preston Hughes offered an ideal complement to Johnson by rushing 19 times for 137 yards and a score.
Justice Langston, J.P. McDonald and Zachary Murdock opened major space as the Indians offense finished the night with 405 total yards.
Livingston countered with a superb aerial show of its own. Two Lions quarterbacks combined to throw for 290 yards and three scores but PN-G smothered the visitors’ ground game, permitting less than 2.5 yards a run.
“I thought our defense played real well, especially in the first half,” Indians head coach Brandon Faircloth said. “It’s not easy in this league. Every game is going to be a battle.”
Johnson connected with three effective receivers. Texas A&M pledge Keynel McZeal had 5 receptions for 92 yards and two scores, followed by Preston Riggs (4 for 62 and a score) and Dylan McGough (3 for 27).
TURNING POINT
A three-play stretch late in the first quarter gave the Indians a two-touchdown lead. It began with junior free safetyCameron Stansbury’s interception and 11-yard runback of a Livingston pass.
Stansbury returned the ball to PN-G’s 43. After an 11-yard keeper moved the ball to the Lions’ 46, Johnson faked a run and unloaded a 46-yard lob to Keynel McZeal on a go route for a touchdown.
McZeal sprinted under the ball, easily streaking past single coverage by Jared Hope. He hauled in the bomb at the Lions’ 2 yard line and scored with 2:55 left in the first quarter, giving PN-G a 14-0 cushion.
WHAT STOOD OUT
Johnson had six seconds left in the first half with PN-G center Justice Langston snapping the ball at the Livingston 21-yard line.
McZeal lined up on the left side of the formation, drawing single coverage. McZeal ran what looked to be a flag route to south end zone corner.
Johnson sailed a pass, which McZeal snagged a step before reaching the back end of the end zone.
BY THE NUMBERS
This 22-5A outing contained plenty of large numbers but Livingston’s small number of 53 rushing yards had plenty to do with the outcome. The Indian front seven collected four sacks and had limited the Lions to 36 rushing yards with five minutes to play. Logan LeJeune helped lead in sacks along with Luke Morris, Logan Hammonds, and Cole Robinson.
HE SAID IT
“A win is a win,” said Indians senior LB Logan LeJeune, an all-state strong safety as a junior. “We know we could have done better but knowing that we won, that’s the main goal… They trust me blitzing and I’m able to be closer to the ball this year. It’s OK with me. I just try to do whatever works best.”
RECORDS
Livingston 2-3, 1-2 in 22-5A. PN-G 4-0, 2-0 in 22-5A.
NEXT UP
Livingston is open next week. The Lions host Baytown Lee on Oct. 7. PN-G plays at Baytown Lee on Friday at 7 p.m.
