PORT NECHES — The Hornets left little doubt that they’re going to be a force to contend with this season.
Traveling 2 1/2 hours for a road game, Huntsville cruised past 14th-ranked Port Neches-Groves 31-14 Friday night at Indian Stadium.
“This one feels good because a lot of people doubted us and we just had to prove who we are,” Hornets senior cornerback Traqun House said. “Last week (against Willis), we came out big-headed, thinking it was going to be a pushover. This game, we had to come out on top and do what we had to do and show them who we really are.”
The Hornets, who outgained Port Neches-Groves 393-310, broke through first in the opening quarter for back-to-back touchdowns and never looked back.
Huntsville quarterback Matthew Southern completed 20 of 28 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns, plus ran for a touchdown.
“Everyone came in comfortable. O-line was blocking,” the junior said. “We pushed them at the beginning of the game. I just let the ball go and tried to be accurate.”
The Hornets defense dominated from the start, making the Indians mostly ineffective and limited to just three of 11 possessions that went for more then 30 yards.
“I’m really proud of our kids and our coaches. I think our program showed today,” Huntsville head coach Rodney Southern said. “I thought all three phases of the game were probably as consistent and clean as we’ve played in the last couple of years.
“I’m very proud with how they handled travel and the whole setup. They did a good job on the bus and a good job with the (pregame) lightning delays. As a coach, you’re just proud to see that stuff work.”
Huntsville kicked off the scoring with less than eight minutes to play in the first quarter as Matthew Southern led a seven-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. Southern hit senior wide receiver Jaylon Griffin for a 5-yard score.
On the next possession, the Hornets moved the ball 59 yards in six plays when Matthew Southern hit junior receiver Miles Tatum in the back of the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown.
Port Neches-Groves answered late in the first quarter as standout dual-threat quarterback Roschon Johnson hit receiver Cade Bileaud for a 23-yard touchdown on fourth-and-long.
Hornets kicker Nathan Batten extended Huntsville’s lead to 17-7 when he booted a 25-yard field goal with 3:13 left in the second quarter.
Early in the third quarter, Huntsville’s defensive provided a back-breaker as T’Vondre Sweat ripped the ball loose and House recovered the fumble and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown.
Port Neches-Groves pulled to within 10 points again when backup quarterback Grant Rogers hit a 32-yard touchdown to a wide-open Tyler Pippin to make it a 24-14 game with 6:57 to play in the third quarter.
Matthew Southern and the Hornets iced the game as the junior QB led a 12-play, 87-yard touchdown drive, capped by the quarterback’s 1-yard score.
