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Indians skin LC-M Bears
By DAUCY CRIZER
Port Arthur News Special Correspondent
LITTLE CYPRESS - Port Neches-Groves used its own version of the "West Coast" offense to keep its playoff hopes alive with a 36-7 win over Little Cypress-Mauriceville Friday night in District 20-4A action.
The Indians used a pecision short passing attack to pick apart the Bears defense, which in turn set up their running game. Quarterback Tony Bowser completed 13-of-23 passes for 170 yards. His primary target was senior Joey Price, who was the recipient of eight of the completions for 109 yards. The LC-M defensive backs routinely gave the Indian receivers five and 10 yard cushions, which turned into big gains after the catch.
Once the Bears switched their defensive efforts to stop the pass, the Indians were able to run the ball effectively, especially in the second half. Jeff Bergeron led all rushers with 84 yards on 13 carries and full back Trayce Boudoin gained 62 yards on four carries. PN-G totalled 227 yards on 28 carries for the game.
PN-G improved to 5-4 overall and 2-2 in 20-4A with one game remaining. More importantly, the Indians still have a chance to claim one of the three playoff spots. LC-M dropped to 2-7 and 0-4.
The Bears took it to PN-G in the early going and struck first on a 79-yard pass play from quarterback Derrick Humberson to Chad Smith. The Indians fumbled the ball away twice in the first half to give LC-M good field position. In fact, the Bears controlled the ball for much of the first half, limiting the Indians to just three possessions.
"We had a defensive back fall down on the long pass play, and we turned the ball over around midfield twice, which kept their (LC-M) offense on the field," said PN-G coach Matt Burnett. "LC-M did a fine job of moving the ball in the first half."
The Indians were able to score on two of their three possessions in the first stanza. Bergeron, who returned a kickoff 40 yards to give PN-G good field position, finished off the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. Price, who also does the kicking for the Indians, connected on a 49-yard field goal to give PN-G a 10-7 halftime lead.
After a sluggish start, the Indians played more inspired football in the second half. The difference was especially noticeable on defense, where they limited the Bears to just one second half first down and 26 yards, all on the ground. They also intercepted three passes.
"We made a few minor adjustments on defense at halftime, but we kept LC-M in bad field position," Burnett said. "Field position was the key in the second half and our players were able to recognize some of their plays and make stops."
PN-G scored on its first possession of the second half, which was aided by a fake punt on fourth-and-three. Boudoin, who was the up back, took the snap and raced 32 yards to the LC-M 16. Bowser called his own number from a yard out to put the Indians up 17-7.
PN-G would put the game away with three touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Bergeron got things started by scoring from 26 yards out the first play of the quarter. Then the reserves would get some action. Josh Hildago scored on a 4-yard TD run and Brady Flores, who rushed for 44 yards on four carries, closed out the scoring with a 5-yard TD run.
"I'm really proud of the team," commented Burnett after the game. "We keep getting better every week and that is encouraging."
The Indians will have to continue that trend as they close out the regular season at home against Nederland next Friday.
"Naturally, it's a big game next week," said Burnett. "I'm just glad we were focused in this game tonight so that next week's game has more meaning."
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