Meshach Sullivan | BeaumontEnterprise.com
Published 11:11 pm CDT, Friday, November 2, 2018
A dominate performance from the Port Neches-Groves defense and Roschon Johnson’s ability to create for his team led the Indians to a 31-14 victory over Barbers Hill on Friday night at Eagle Stadium in Mont Belvieu.
While Johnson lit up the scoreboard with four total touchdowns, the Indians held Barbers Hill to just a single score until midway through the fourth quarter.
“They played great and I’m proud of them,” PN-G coach Brandon Faircloth said of his defense. “Our coaches do a great job of putting a game plan together and that showed tonight.”
The win comes four days after Barbers Hill notified the District 12-5A executive committee of PN-G using an iPad in the press box against Crosby, which resulted in the forfeiture of that game for the Indians.
WHAT HAPPENED
PN-G’s quarterback Roschon Johnson launched a 47-yard completion on his first attempt of the game. PN-G wound up converting on a 27-yard field by Mario Oceguera after its offense stalled out in the red zone.
PN-G’s Kade Martin intercepted Barbers Hill’s quarterback Connor Dunham on the ensuing possession, but it wouldn’t amount to any points.
Johnson had his deep ball working in the first half, connecting with Jose Ceja for a 60-yard touchdown in the first quarter that gave PN-G a 10-lead.
Midway through the second quarter, Barbers Hill scored their first touchdown on a quarterback keeper from four-yards out by Dunham.
PN-G had no issue answering right back with a quarterback keeper of their own, this one from 3-yards out by Johnson.
Faircloth loved way his offensive line blocked tonight and that showed in Johnson’s ability to run the ball in short-yardage situations.
“Our offensive did a great job tonight on making their blocks,” Faircloth said. “They gave Roschon holes to run through on third downs.”
PN-G had a 17-7 lead at the half.
On its first drive on the second half, PN-G had no problems marching down the field again. Johnson found Ceja in the middle of the field and he did the rest of the work for a 21-yard touchdown.
Johnson would burst for a 56-yard touchdown that made the margin 31-7 and sealed the game for PN_G
Barbers Hill would score one last touchdown during garbage time midway through the fourth quarter on a 20-yard reception by Canden Grogan.
TURNING POINT
The turning point to the game was PN-G’s scoring drive before the half that gave them a 10-point led.
If not for Johnson’s touchdown run, PN-G would’ve had just a three-point going into the half. PN-G dominated time of possession in the second half.
WHAT STOOD OUT
Johnson is PN-G’s all-time passing leader, but you wouldn’t have known that by how many carries he had against Barbers Hill.
Johnson also had noticeable chemistry with his receiver Ceja, who was getting open at will.
“We knew coming into this week that they weren’t going to let us go deep to often and they let Jose get open underneath,” Johnson said. “It was preparation throughout the week that let us know we had a matchup with Jose.”
BY THE NUMBERS
Johnson had 29 carries for 236 yards on the ground. He also went 11 for 16 with 207 passing yards to go along with his four total touchdowns.
Ceja had 7 receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns.
UP NEXT
PN-G’s (6-3, 4-1) win sets up a Mid County Madness showdown with Nederland for the district title next Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Barbers Hill (6-3, 4-2) is on the road against Santa Fe (5-4, 4-2) on the same night.
