Mid-County Madness – Bum Phillips Bowl

“There’s so much passion involved with this game. Every time I’m here, I’m always impressed with the atmosphere created by these communities.”

— Wade Phillips

“We could hear the crowd, we could hear the band, they were loud and enthusiastic. It was fun, man. It was hectic. It was really madness with the weather, the rain and the crowd. It was pretty crazy.”

— PN-G Head Coach Jeff Joseph

“PNG vs. Nederland is the number one rivalry in the state of Texas for a reason.”

   — Former PN-G Head Coach Brandon Faircloth

“We’re living and breathing it every single day. It’s almost a Democratic/Republican divide — it’s just the way it is. It’s not sugar-coated. It’s not made up. It’s real — Mid-County Madness. I’m telling you, it’s what’s talked about on almost a daily basis.”

   — Former PN-G head football coach Matt Burnett

“It’s all quiet on the home side of the stands at Bulldog Stadium. Nederland simply can’s stop Port Neches-Groves. “

–Matt Faye, Beaumont Enterprise

PN-G vs. Big Ned.  Indians vs. Bulldogs.  Purple and white against black and gold.  Stadiums filled beyond capacity.  College game atmosphere.  “Mid-County Madness”.  All that and more describes the 100 game rivalry between the Port Neches-Groves Indians and Nederland Bulldogs.

Since 1925 the Indians and Bulldogs have battled for the bragging rights of the area nestled between Beaumont and Port Arthur Texas known as Mid-Jefferson County or ‘Mid County’.

The rival talk is year round, but during game week, football in the small towns of Port Neches, Groves and Nederland Texas is backed with a level of enthusiasm that matches any area in the state.  And when game night finally arrives, regardless of the outcome, both teams leave everything on the field until the next meeting.

1995 was the first year that the term ‘Mid-County Madness’ took hold.  In 2014 the annual game was designated as ‘The Bum Phillips Bowl’ in honor of Texas coaching legend O.A. ‘Bum Philips’ who coached at both schools in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

The longtime rivalry is listed as the top rivalry game in Texas high school football by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine.

PN-G leads the series 54-39-7.

Wins By Decade

2020–2029   PN-G 3 wins, Ned 1 win, Average score – PN-G 29, Ned 24 
2010–2019   Ned 7 wins, PN-G 3 wins, Average score – Ned 29, PNG 27
2000-2009   Ned 7 wins, PN-G 3 wins, Average score – Ned 25, PNG 21
1990-1999   PN-G 6 wins, Ned 4 wins, Average score – PNG 23, Ned 13
1980-1989   PN-G 6 wins, Ned 3 wins, 1 tie, Average score – PNG 20, Ned 9
1970-1979   PN-G 10 wins, Average score –  PNG 27, Ned 9
1960-1969   PN-G 5 wins, Ned 3 wins, 2 ties, Average score – Ned 17, PNG 14
1950-1959   Ned 5 wins, PN-G 1 win, Average score – Ned 31, PNG 14
1940-1949   PN-G 4 wins, Ned 3 wins, 2 ties, Average score – PNG 21, Ned 11
1930-1939   PN-G 7 wins, Ned 3 wins, 1 tie, Average score –  PNG 13, Ned 4
1920-1929   PN-G 6 wins, Ned 3 wins, 1 tie, Average score –  PNG 12, Ned 4

Scores by Year