By Daniel Maher | BeaumontEnterprise.com
Published 11:00 pm, Friday, November 13, 2015
Port Neches-Groves survived a two-point attempt by Dayton with just over a minute left to hang on for a wild 42-41 win in a back-and-forth bi-district round playoff game.
The teams combined for more 900 yards of offense in a nail biting thriller in which no team had a lead larger than eight points.
With the game tied at 35-35 late in the fourth quarter, PN-G (9-2) delivered a clutch tie-breaking drive after a short Dayton punt gave PN-G the ball in Broncos territory.
Morse then gained the last 12 yards with two runs, scoring on a 1-yard quarterback sneak with 2:43 left in regulation.
Dayton was equally clutch, getting a 54-yard screen pass for a TD on a third-and-11 play with 1:11 remaining.
The Broncos (7-4) opted to try for the winning margin, and after a PN-G timeout to set its defense, Cole Girouard defended a pass intended for E.J. Hackett that fell incomplete.
An onsides kick was recovered by PN-G. After the Indians punted, a last ditch Hail Mary attempt by Dayton resulted in a completion and a fumbled lateral attempt well short of the end zone.
“I was just praying for our defense to do big things like it has all year,” said Morse, reflecting on the emotions of the key stop of the Broncos’ two-point try.
Though offenses were explosive, PN-G’s defense had several shining moments. One was the three-and-out series that forced Dayton to punt from its own 26 with a few minutes left in the game.
The punt took a decidedly favorable PN-G bounce, rolling all the way back to the Broncos’ 44 before being downed.
With that excellent field position, the Indians were able to mount their game-winning drive.
Jalen Styner delivered a remarkable scoring play on Dayton’s last touchdown, weaving through a sea of Indians and escaping being hemmed in against the right sideline to scoot past the final line of defenders for a 54-yard score.
PN-G’s Caisen Sullivan delivered the most spectacular PN-G play, leaping high over a defender to snare a rainbow pass from Morse for a 23-yard touchdown catch that gave PN-G a 28-20 lead early in the second half, the largest lead either team had all game.
“They gave us one-on-one coverage on the backside and that’s what Caisen does,” said Morse, whose team will face Angleton in the second round. “If you just give him a chance, he always does magic in the air.”
Morse had a monster game, helping will the Indians to victory with 260 passing yards and three TDs on 18 of 29 passing with one interception. He also did damage with his legs, gaining 67 more yards and scoring a pair of touchdowns on 14 carries.
Sullivan grabbed 10 passes for 141 yards and a TD, while Jack Giblin caught five passes for 107 yards and two TDs.
Kody Cropper helped PN-G grind some clock in the second half, gaining 124 yards on 21 carries, with 88 of those yards after intermission.
Broncos QB Hunter Hancock threw for four touchdowns and 343 yards while completing 19 of 28 passes with one interception.
“It’s my last year and I don’t want any game to be my last as an Indian until I have a ring on my finger,” said Morse.
“It’s the first time for me personally to get to the second round of the playoffs,” said Morse. “After being 0-2, it’s great to feel the joy of winning. I’m excited to see what we can do in the future.”
