By Brad Robichaux | PANews.com
Published 1:22 am Saturday, October 19, 2019
PORT NECHES — The Dayton Broncos started fast, but the Port Neches-Groves Indians came to their senses fast as well, stopping almost all offensive momentum from Dayton and keeping them to only two touchdowns and racking up points of their own for a commanding 51-14 win Friday at The Reservation.
The Indians had exploded on Crosby last week, getting on the scoreboard 3 minutes into the game, but suffered four turnovers that Crosby exploited to keep PNG from scoring again the rest of the game. PNG lost 13-7 but kept the Cougars to a single offensive touchdown.
Dayton also came to The Reservation with a loss last week against Nederland, 29-17.
PNG center Trey Lisauckis lifts up wide receiver Peyton Proenza following a touchdown against Dayton on Friday in Port Neches. (Leo Weeks Photographers) 10-18-19
Dayton (1-6, 0-4 in 12-5A-II) got off to a good start on its first possession with an 84-yard touchdown drive but didn’t score the rest of the first half.
Several turnovers put PNG (5-2, 3-1 in district) in position to score, beginning with a bouncing punt picked up by junior Dean Guidry helped the Indians finish their drive at 3:40 in the first quarter, tying the game at 7-7. Dayton fumbled again a few minutes later at its own 19. Senior defensive lineman Josh Patteson returned the ball for PNG’s second touchdown.
PNG then finished a 10-play, 81-yard drive to score again at 9:08 in the second quarter.
Dayton was kept at bay in the second, punting on one of two possessions and turning over the ball with an interception made by senior defensive back Lawrence Vaughn at 7:24 after a short 17-yard drive. Dayton responded in kind when senior Bryce Chimene caught an interception at PNG’s 7-yard line with 5:18 left in the second, only to punt after 7 yards. The Indians finished out the first half with another drive for 58 yards and their fourth touchdown.
The Indians added three touchdowns and a field goal in the second half, holding Dayton back until the Broncos put up their own touchdown at 2:43 late in the fourth quarter.
A series of turnovers early in the third kept the ball changing hands, but Dayton couldn’t capitalize on an interception made by the Broncos’ Kameron George and surrendered the ball with a punt deep in their own territory with 7:31 left in the third, setting PNG up for a quick 38-yard drive for the Indians’ sixth touchdown of the night.
THE GAME CHANGED WHEN …
The Indians pulled out PNG quarterback Blake Bost, who’d thrown heavily Friday night, for junior Brooks Barnwell at 11:42 in the fourth quarter, marking a turning point in the momentum of the PNG offense, but not keeping them from making 9 more points on a field goal and a touchdown made by Barnwell himself. The Broncos got a second wind as well with their second touchdown late in the fourth, but nowhere near enough to overcome PNG’s commanding lead.
THE GAME BALL GOES TO …
Koby Trahan, whom Bost trusted with the ball for 12 carries and 83 yards and one of PNG’s seven touchdowns.
UP NEXT …
PNG will head to Santa Fe (1-5, 0-3 before Friday’s game against Crosby) for their Friday game at 7:30 p.m.
Dayton will host Baytown Lee (4-2, 1-2 before Friday’s game against Nederland) for their Friday game at 7:30 p.m.
Game Statistics
Indians 51, Broncos 14
Dayton 7-0-0-7—14
PNG 14-14-14-9—51
First Quarter
Dayton – Garner 13 pass from Olige (Pineda kick) 8:49
PNG – Bost 7 run (Sandell kick) 3:44
PNG – Patteson fumble recovery (Sandell kick) 2:25
Second Quarter
PNG
PNG – Proenza 19 pass from Bost (Sandell kick) 9:08
PNG – Bost 8 run (Sandell kick) 0:50
Third Quarter
PNG – Trahan 9 run (Sandell Kick) 8:50
PNG – Proenza 13 pass from Bost (Sandell kick) 5:23
Fourth Quarter
PNG – Sandell 30 field goal 11:42
PNG – Barnwell 3 run (kick failed) 8:44
Dayton – Olige 7 run (Pineda kick) 2:43
Team Dayton PNG
First downs 7 21
Rushing 88 281
Passing 93 215
Total 181 496
Comp-Att-Int 11-18-2 25-41-2
Fumbles-lost 6-3 0-0
Penalties-yards 4-30 7-70
RUSING — Dayton: Zenon 1-3, Fontenot 1-0, Olige 11-85. PNG: Bost 13-80, Trahan 13-85, Deslatte 3-14, Barnwell 3-11, Bergeron 2-8.
PASSING — Dayton: Olige 11-18-2. PNG: Bost 21-37-2, Barnwell 4-4-0.
RECEIVING — Dayton: Garner 6-71, McCracken 2-6, Griffith 1-5, Orebo 1-4, Robinson 1-8. PNG: Wuenschel 4-29, Nail 9-91, Proenza 4-45, Sullivan 1-14, Broussard 1-9, Wommack 1-1, Pearson 1-14 Abshire 1-2.
