By Daniel Maher | BeaumontEnterprise.com
Published 11:50 pm CDT, Friday, August 31, 2018
Port Neches-Groves got the strong quarterback play it expected from Roschon Johnson to get its offense rolling and pull away from Silsbee for a 48-14 opening game win at The Reservation on Friday night.
What happened
Johnson threw for a pair of scores and ran for three more touchdowns, amassing 111 yards on 19 carries and throwing for 237 yards on 17 of 26 passing.
PN-G scored on a nine play drive on its opening possession and followed with a 12-play drive on its second possession to set the tone. Silsbee matched PN-G for a bit, tying the score at 14 on an electrifying 71 yard TD run by Dralyn Taylor early in the second quarter, but PN-G answered with an 18 yard TD run by Johnson that gave them the lead for good.
Turning point
Silsbee had a chance to cut a 28-14 deficit to a touchdown in the final minute of the first half, but a promising drive ended when the ball slipped out of Silsbee wide receiver Cameron White’s hand as he attempted an end around pass.
The ball floated into the hands of PN-G linebacker Wyatt Girouard who broke out of a pack and raced 82 yards for a backbreaking touchdown on the final play of the first half.
What stood out
Johnson simply put is one of the region’s most dynamic players and Silsbee had no answer for his dual threat capabilities.
His 18 yard touchdown run was made possible by a spin move that left Tiger defenders grasping at air.
He kept plenty of other plays alive and created plays with his legs all night long.
Records
Silsbee (0-1). PN-G (1-0).
Next up
Silsbee travels to defending Class 3A, Division 2 state champ Newton, while PN-G hosts Huntsville. Both games kickoff Friday at 7:30 p.m.
