Tom Halliburton | BeaumontEnterprise.com
Updated 12:16 am CST, Saturday, December 1, 2018
BAYTOWN — Roschon Johnson’s distinguished era of Port Neches-Groves football ended Friday night, but not as the Indians quarterback and 34 fellow seniors had preferred.
With blazing speed at virtually all skill positions, Fort Bend Marshall struck for 18 points in the first nine minutes, collected 541 total yards and convincingly eliminated PN-G and its star quarterback 53-14 in the 5A Division II regional playoff round at Stallworth Stadium.
“It hurts but I have a lot to look forward to, so I can’t be too sad,” said PN-G’s all-time passing yardage leader, who plans to enroll in the spring semester at the University of Texas.
WHAT HAPPENED
Johnson received a big hug from his coaches and teammates as he departed the game to a standing ovation with 3:10 to play. He dealt with pressure from Marshall’s pursuit all night, but ran for one touchdown, completing 11 of 24 passes for 100 yards and rushing 20 times for 134 yards.
The Buffs jumped to a commanding 39-7 halftime lead, improving their flawless record to 13-0. The speedy Buffalo offense collected 387 total yards and 14 first downs, not counting a 52-yard punt return for a touchdown. The return by junior Devon Achane completed the first-half point parade with 2:30 before halftime.
PN-G managed 192 first-half yards with its senior signal-caller rushing for 83 and throwing for 55 more yards. Roschon dashed around his right side for a 20-yard scoring run with 5:38 left in the second quarter.
The Indians had one other first-half scoring opportunity at the end of the opening quarter. Johnson engineered a series which ended on downs at the Buffs’ 25-yard line.
Coach James Williams’ team encountered one consistent early problem, failing to convert extra points. That hardly mattered because Marshall quarterback Malik Hornsby threw for two scores and ran for another. Hornsby’s principal ball-carrier, senior Jerry Davis added 138 rushing yards on 12 handoffs and two more first-half touchdowns.
Hornsby’s early touchdown tosses were directed to Achane and Dalevon Campbell.
TURNING POINT
It became painfully obvious by midway in the first quarter that PN-G’s weapons would have difficulty with Marshall’s defensive quickness. The Buffs stopped Roschon Johnson for no gain on a third-and-3 situation at the Indians 45, forcing a punt.
SPECTACULAR PLAY
Senior Jerry Davis of Marshall ripped through the middle of PN-G’s defense on a 37-yard scoring run just four minutes into the game, giving the Buffs a 12-0 lead. Marshall’s offense used jet-sweep motion to try to place PN-G’s safety out of position. Buffs quarterback Hornsby read the Indians’ defense perfectly and handed to Davis who flashed his breakaway speed.
BY THE NUMBERS
Roschon Johnson finished his PN-G career with 7,710 passing yards, 85 career touchdown passes, and 504 completions over three seasons. Besides being the Indians career leading passer, he also finished as their second-leading career rusher with 4,898 yards, trailing only Gordon LeBoeuf’s 5,110. He also topped the Indians’ charts with 82 rushing touchdowns.
HE SAID IT
“Roschon is the best (player I’ve ever coached), no question about it,” PN-G head coach Brandon Faircloth said. “He’s a once in a generation player. His stats tell you that by the numbers but his work ethic, his character, his leadership, the whole package. I’ve known him actually since the second grade and he’s been an incredible talent.”
RECORDS
Fort Bend Marshall 13-0; PN-G 9-4
NEXT UP
Fort Bend Marshall advances to the 5A Division II state quarterfinal playoff round against the winner of Saturday’s Huntsville-Marshall game.
Tom Halliburton is a freelance writer.
