David Thompson | BeaumontEnterprise.com
Updated 4:41 pm, Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Port Neches-Groves enters Week 7 of the high school football season with an undefeated record and a game against Vidor on Friday that will help shape the race for the District 22-5A title.
The Indians’ success can be traced back to its “Landshark” defense, which has held opponents to an average of 17 points per game in five wins. At the heart of the defense is senior linebacker Logan LeJeune.
Q. Can you explain where the “Landshark” hand gesture came from?
A. The summer of my sophomore season we went to the state 7-on-7 tournament. We were this small, scrappy team. Anthony Anniboli, our outside linebacker at the time, thought we needed something extra because we had a chip on our shoulders. He copied it from Ole Miss and its defense. It’s something we do after a big defensive play, like a big hit or a turnover. We didn’t think it was going to be a big thing until the crowd started doing it with us during home games.
Q. Why do you think it’s become part of the identity of your defense?
A. I think it’s because other teams didn’t like it when we do it. They try and make fun of us, but when our defense shuts them out they really cant say anything about it.
Q. How has your family been involved with PN-G football?
A. My grandfather, Butch Troy, was a head coach at PN-G from 1984-88 and my dad, David LeJeune, was a linebackers coach. Since I was young, I knew everything about PN-G, particularly the football team. There are pictures of my dad holding me as an infant on the sidelines. It’s a cool deal to be part of the family legacy.
Q. You have a big game against Vidor this Friday – both teams are undefeated in district play. How are you preparing for their potent run game?
A. It’s all about doing your 1/11th on the field. You have to take care of your responsibility before you can do anything else.
Q. PN-G has begun to receive votes in Texas’ AP Top 10. A win over Vidor would push your team even closer to a spot in the poll. Is PN-G a Top 10 team in Class 5A?
A. I really do think we are. People overlook us because of our size and that we only have one Division I athlete. But what makes us great is our heart and the work we put in every day.
Q. I know you are committed to Lamar to play baseball. Any chance you’ll play football for the Cardinals?
A. At first I was thinking I’d play just baseball, but now, I don’t want to hang the pads up. It would be amazing to play at the next level. We’ll just have to see what happens.
Q. Do you have a favorite professional football team?
A. The Dallas Cowboys.
Q. What do you think of Dallas’ rookie quarterback Dak Prescott?
A. I like him. He could be the real deal, especially with (running back) Ezekiel Elliot beside him.
Q. If you could invite three people to a dinner party, past or present, whom would invite?
A. Anybody? Well, first J.J. Watt. Then Snoop Dogg and Mike Trout.
