By David Thompson | BeaumontEnterprise.com
Published 7:58 am, Friday, October 9, 2015
Anyone associated with the Port Neches-Groves sideline will tell you they’ve prepared for Lumberton the same way they prepared for their first two district opponents.
But this game is clearly different.
The Indians (4-1, 2-0) cakewalked through the Baytown schools by a combined 87-24 score, including last week’s 42-14 drubbing of Goose Creek Memorial.
But Lumberton – coming off its first loss of the season, a 28-21 last-second loss to Central – has shown it’s a true playoff contender in the first five games of 2015.
“Every week is new for us,” said PN-G coach Brandon Faircloth. “We can’t afford to focus on anyone else but Lumberton. This district has proved time and time again that if you lose your focus, you’ll wind up on the losing end of things.”
The Raider offense that led their team to a 4-1 start will take on an adjusted look in this game.
Lumberton coach Chris Babin says if his team wants to keep up with PN-G’s offense, they’ll have to do things a little differently to continue their recent success.
“People look at our stats and assume all we do is run the ball,” said Babin, whose team has aired it out at least 14 times in three of their first five games. “But we have the ability to make plays through the air.”
Lumberton’s offense has the deceptive look of a spread attack. They play out of the shotgun, but instead spreading the ball to several recievers, success has come primarily from running downhill behind the rushing attack of Tim Rhodes, Caleb Thomas and Keaton Upshaw.
Babin said he implemented this particular offense, was for games like the one today. When they want the option to throw, they’ll have it.
“I know we haven’t throw the ball a ton,” Babin said. “But we have a very talented quarterback in Stephen Yarbro, who has the ability to move the chains with his arm.”
But to put the PN-G secondary into a panic, Yarbro will have to find a new favorite target this week. Senior tight end Mason Sikes, who was injured in the second half against Central, will watch this game from the sideline.
“He’ll be back soon though,” Babin said.
“They are very talented in the run game,” Faircloth said, “but we know we have to be prepared for them to try and get some big plays through the air.”
Lumberton can hardly afford to get into a shootout with PN-G.
The Indians boast the highest-scoring offense in the district behind quarterback and Lamar commit Adam Morse, who leads District 22-5A in completion percentage, touchdowns thrown and total yards.
“The key for us is getting pressure on the quarterback,” Babin said. “He has a lot of weapons down the field that he can use if he has time.”
Morse will likely target favorite receiver Jack Giblin and emerging target Caisen Sullivan, who recently committed to play for Lamar next year.
