2023 PORT NECHES-GROVES INDIANS
Updated 12/13/2023
ARLINGTON, TX – The Indians of Port Neches Groves are the 2023 9-5A Division II district champions and winners of 14 straight games and 27 out of their last 31.
In 2022 they reached the 5A Division II state championship game and finished the season with a 13-3 record.
They continue their winning ways in 2023 with a 14-1 record, a multi-faceted offensive attack that is averaging 425 all-purpose yards and 34.6 points per game. Featuring a powerful running game that has gained 3,813 yards and scored 43 touchdowns, and a quick strike passing attack with 1,850 yards in completions, 25 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions, the Indians are a difficult team to stop.
When on defense, the Indians are allowing only 16.6 points per game with 17 interceptions and 59 tackles for a loss.
COACHING STAFF
Head coach and athletic director Jeff Joseph has led his teams to a 27-4 overall record and 10-1 playoff record over the past two seasons including a second straight state finals appearance this season. Joseph is the first head coach in PN-G history to coach a team to the championship game in his first two years as head coach.
https://www.pngindians.com/football/head-coach-jeff-joseph/
Defensive Coordinator Matt McDaniel, Offensive Coordinator Cade McCrary, Running game coordinator and offensive line coach Charlie Feller and the rest of a veteran staff have coached the team to 93 wins over the past 10 seasons.
https://www.pngindians.com/football/coaches/
OFFENSE
The PN-G offensive line, named ‘The Great Wall of PN-G’ by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, has been the backbone of the offense the past 2 seasons. Two-year starters Mario Miguel (Senior, #75) and 6-5 310 pound junior Jackson Christian (#74), 6-4 290 pound sophomore tackle Aaron Wolford (#52), junior Michael Wood (#58), junior Parker Ferris (#57), and senior Dillan Romero (#79) anchor a powerful front. Both Christian (Texas, North Texas, Texas Tech, Houston, SMU, Texas State, ) and Wolford (Texas Tech, Houston, North Texas) have multiple offers from DI schools.
Isaiah Nguyen (#33) is a 2-year starting running back who is earning a place in PN-G history. His 261 yards against Liberty Hill in 2022 is currently the 7th greatest single game rushing total all-time. Nguyen has rushed for over 100 yards sixteen times in his career, and over 200 yards in 4 games. He is currently 4th in most career rushing yards at PN-G with 3,299. His 1,940 yard total so far in 2023 places him at #2 all-time in single season rushing yardage at PN-G behind Gordon LeBoeuf who rushed for 2,150 yards in 1955.
https://www.pngindians.com/football/all-time-rushing/
Shea Adams (#19), a 6-5 205 pound senior, four star athlete has returned from an early season injury to spark the PN-G offense with his all-around ability at the QB-RB-WR positions. Listed on the 2023 Mr. Texas Football Watch List, his 1,450 total yards and 31 touchdowns established him as the top playmaker on the team in 2022. In only his 4th week back in action, Adams has scored 4 touchdowns in the playoffs. Adams has offers from Navy, Army, Air Force, Columbia, Princeton, Dartmouth, La Tech, Lamar and UIW.
Sophomore quarterback Connor Bailey (#9) has completed 83 passes for nearly 1,500 yards, nearly 18 yards per catch average, 19 touchdowns and a 124.8 QB rating. Receivers London Nunley (#11, junior), Noah Washington (#80, senior), Reid Richard (#28, senior), Landon English (#17, senior) and Shea Adams (#19, senior) have been Bailey’s primary targets.
Junior back running back Blair Chatagnier (#15), son of former PN-G great Ron Chatagnier (McGill), has rushed for 1,180 yards, 8.9 yards per carry, and 17 touchdowns in limited action. Chatagnier rushed for 193 yards and 4 touchdowns in one half of the Leander Rouse playoff matchup.
Junior halfback Layden Williams (#44), sophomore TE Braison Lofton (#97), junior TE Jayden Matute (#40), and senior TE Jagger Sonnier (#48) have also played a key role in run blocking and pass protection.
DEFENSE
Team defense is the name of the game for PN-G beginning with the outstanding front trio of linemen Jacob Cabrera (6-0 270, senior), Jonathan Hernandez (6-1 275, junior, 1 interception), and Andres Fuentes (6-0 220, junior) who have collected 94 solo tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 9 sacks and applied constant backfield pressure.
An outstanding group of linebackers are led by junior outside linebacker Mason Wuenschel (#4,6-2 205, 3 interceptions), senior Chase Johnson (#6), juniors Isaac Uriostegyu (#43) and Max Scroggs (#24), and senior Dylan Talbert (#26) form a linebacker corp that has combined for 4 interceptions, over 200 solo tackles and 25 tackles for loss.
The defensive secondary, led by 3-year senior starter Reid Richard (#28), seniors Kameron Droddy (#20), William Poole (#22), Isaac Sinette (#31) and junior Travis Cobb (#10) have combined for nearly 170 solo tackles and 12 interceptions.
KICKING
Field goal kicker Giovanni Oceguera (#39) has made 11 of 15 field goal attempts including a 39 yard kick. Junior Luis Blanco (#84) has also handled kickoffs. The Indians seldom punt the ball with London Nunley (#11) handling the duty.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
Port Neches-Groves has reached the semifinal round 10 times since 1953, and played in the state finals 7 times winning 3 championships in 1953, 1955 and in 1975 over Odessa Permian. Saturday’s championship game will be the 8th appearance for the Indians.
https://www.pngindians.com/football/playoff-history/
POST SEASON HONORS
PN-G players are no stranger to state-wide recognition. Since 1950 there have been 117 All-State and 4 All-American selections with 45 all-state selections over the last 15 seasons.
https://www.pngindians.com/football/post-season-honors/
FANS
With a prolific fan base often referred to as the best in Texas, Port Neches-Groves supporters are never outmanned by opposing fans and are often an intimidating game presence at home and on the road. The all-time single game attendance record of 49,953 was set in the 1977 state championship game between Port Neches-Groves and Plano.
https://www.pngindians.com/football/fan-zone/
HALF-TIME
Over 300 strong, the Port Neches-Groves Purple Pride Band, Indianettes and twirlers put on a premiere half time performance at every game.
https://www.pngindians.com/football/purple-pride-indian-band/
ALUMNI
Famous PN-G football alumni include NFL coaching legend Wade Phillips, former UT offensive coordinator Greg Davis, current Chicago Bear Roschon Johnson, and former AFL/NFL players Gordon LeBoeuf, Mike Simpson and Robert Giblin. Legendary NFL coach Bum Phillips coached at PN-G from 1963-1964.
https://www.pngindians.com/football/hall-of-honor/
HISTORY
https://www.pngindians.com/football/history-tradition/
