By Tom Halliburton | BeaumontEnterprise.com
Updated 12:15 am CDT, Saturday, August 31, 2019
SILSBEE – If Port Neches-Groves seemed like a one-man show in recent years, it looked anything but that Friday night at Tiger Stadium.
The 2019 Indians opened the season with a team effort that methodically owning the second half and defeated Silsbee 48-35.
PN-G had to wait 45 extra minutes before starting its post-Roschon Johnson era due to Hardin County lightning delays. The Indians displayed all sorts of stars with line domination that created huge spaces in the middle of Silsbee’s defense.
Junior left-handed quarterback Blake Bost looked like a seasoned veteran during much of the night, throwing for two touchdowns and running for another.
The Indians lacked a100-yard rusher, but unleashed three effective ones – juniors Lance Vaughn and Dejaunte Conner and senior Zane Hernandez. A blocking wall, led by guards Corey Burt and Dalton Dickerson, took command after PN-G led only 28-21 at half.
The Indians defense enjoyed their share of the fun, especially when Lawrence Vaughn intercepted a pass and dashed 25 yards for the night’s final touchdown with 9:30 to play.
The Indians led the Tigers 28-21 at the half on a night that created headaches for every defensive coach.
Indians’ 11th-year coach Brandon Faircloth was very prophetic earlier this month when he said, ”playing defense is really hard these days.”
Faircloth’s newest quarterback, junior Blake Bost, performed like a polished veteran in his first varsity start. Bost completed his first two passes as the game started 45 minutes late due to a lightning delay.
Bost looked sharp in completing 11-of-19 passes during the first half, but Silsbee junior quarterback Raymond Foster owned an even better completion ratio, hitting 6-of-11 for 111 yards and a touchdown.
PN-G scored first and regained the lead three more times in the first two quarters. Bost executed the two-minute offense to perfection, guiding his offense 59 yards in seven snaps (all passes) to give the Tribe a halftime lead with 15 seconds left before intermission.
The left-handed signal caller teamed up with Zane Hernandez on a wheel route for a 15-yard scoring play, breaking a 21-21 deadlock.
Silsbee senior tailback Dralyn Taylor led all first-half rushers with 9 dashes for 52 yards. Taylor sprinted 16 yards around his left side to tie the game at 21-all with 1:42 left in the half. The score capped a 64-yard, eight-play series.
Neither team will enjoy an easier night next Friday. PN-G will visit Huntsville while Silsbee will entertain two-time defending 3A state champion Newton.
