Meshach Sullivan | BeaumontEnterprise.com
Updated 1:27 am CST, Saturday, November 10, 2018
Five rushing touchdowns from senior quarterback Roschon Johnson and two important interceptions by Tyler Jackson led Port Neches-Groves to a District 12-5A-clinching victory, 34-21 on Friday night against Nederland in the 95th Mid-County Madness at Indian Stadium.
It was tied at seven at halftime, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at the final score. PN-G put its pedal to the metal in the third quarter and never looked back, scoring 21 unanswered points to take control.
“He told us to keep on taking what they give us,” Johnson said on Coach Brandon Faircloth’s message at the half. “We knew going into this game that it was going to be a second-half game. We kept on taking what they gave us and just kept punching it.”
WHAT HAPPENED
Nederland was first on the scoreboard midway through the first quarter. Bulldogs quarterback Blaysin Fernandez found Blayne Burnett in the middle of the field for an 18-yard completion. Fernandez then went untouched for a three-yard touchdown for the first score of the game.
PN-G answered back with a touchdown of their own. Johnson broke for a 37-yards through the middle of Nederland’s defense. On fourth and goal, Johnson broke a tackle and scampered into the end zone from eight-yards out.
The first turnover of the game occurred on Nederland’s first drive of the second half. Fernandez overthrew his wide receiver and it went straight into PN-G’s Jackson’s hands.
“It was huge,” Johnson said on Jackson’s play tonight. “He made a lot of great plays on the field tonight. I kept telling him to read the quarterback’s eyes because he’s going to tell you where he’s throwing it and he did a great job of that.”
PN-G capitalized on the Nederland turnover with a touchdown on 4th-and-1 from seven-yards out by Johnson.
PN-G’s Jackson came up with another huge interception and took it to the end zone, but it was called back due to a block in the back. The penalty did not matter as Johnson broke a 44-yard touchdown.
Texas QB commit Roschon Johnson (@RoschonJ) takes off for a 44-yard TD 😱 #HookEm pic.twitter.com/ERy0Ghku3C
— "EJ Holland" (@EJHollandOn3) November 10, 2018
“I’m so excited and I’ve been working for this moment,” Jackson said on the emotions playing such a big role in winning Mid-County Madness.
PN-G’s defense forced Nederland to punt and their offense went on another scoring drive. Johnson connected with Kaleb Wuenschel for a 43-yard completion. Johnson would do the rest with an 11-yard rushing touchdown, his fourth of the game.
On Nederland’s first drive of the fourth quarter, they marched down the field behind Fernandez for a touchdown. He scored his touchdown from 11-yards out to make it a two-touchdown game.
Fernandez would find Carsen Arline for a 30-yard touchdown in garbage time to make the margin appear closer.
TURNING POINT
The third quarter was the difference maker in this game. PN-G’s offense couldn’t be stopped in the third quarter with 20 unanswered points plus Jackson helped them out with two interceptions off Fernandez.
“It’s amazing,” Jackson said on his two-interception game. “It’s my senior year and to have two picks, I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
WHAT STOOD OUT
Last week, the connection that Johnson had with Jose Ceja was a lethal one for the PN-G offense. This week it was Johnson connection with Wuenschel. He was PN-G’s reliable target tonight and had some crucial catches in the game.
PN-G’s defense was another huge aspect of this game. The Bulldogs forced two interceptions and a fumble while holding one of the best offenses in the district to 21 points.
BY THE NUMBERS
PN-G’s Johnson carried the ball 32 times for 258 yards and five touchdowns. He was also 9-for-17 with 101 yards passing. Wuenschel had six receptions for 76 yards.
Fernandez had 108 yards rushing on 18 carries with two rushing touchdowns. He was also 11-for-17 with 119 yards passing and one touchdown.
Up Next:
PN-G (7-3, 6-1) will be the No. 1 seed out of the district heading into the state playoffs. Following its lone loss of the season, Nederland (9-1, 6-1) will have to settle for the second seed.
