Darth Texas

Look at La Porte, Nederland, PNG, South Oak Cliff — Teams who, in recent years mostly run the ball. I’d guess it’s 3/4 plus are run plays for PNG the last two years. You don’t have to go full Mike Leach. Just call plays that match the situation on the field, not some pre-existing stubborn commitment to “we do [blank] no matter what.”

It should be political. The political system produced this.

Nederland’s defense is good. We don’t know how good yet since they haven’t faced an offense that can really challenge through the air. But, the sky definitely isn’t falling. Whatever the problems Nederland had moving the ball against WOS, it was pretty clear WOS was having a miserable time against the Nederland D. Silsbee’s probably a different test since they can sling it.

My pick for PNG is an unashamed homer pick. I think this is a 50/50 game. La Porte has three big strengths: (1) o-line La Porte’s o-line is elite. They’re playing like PNg’s o-line from last season. PNG’s o-line is just good, but not at La Porte’s level. (2) Simon Simon is going to be a problem, especially if we can’t get a lot of guys around him. (3) consistency This is probably their biggest strength. They aren’t perfect, and they have long stretches of their last two games where they fall off the wagon. But they’re really good at snapping back to executing how they’re supposed to execute. They don’t get rattled. The key for PNG is going to be creating balance on offense — I don’t think we win if we have to win on the ground, but we have to run enough to keep the passing lanes open. I think the most important thing for PnG is for the defense to continue their big step forward from last season. If we can get the defense off the field and get something going offensively, we can make things interesting. overall, I’m less interested in the score (of course I’d want to win) than in how we play. We need a tough preseason game to get us ready for district and the playoffs, and a little humility wouldn’t hurt. If we lose this game but learn things that makes us lethal down the road, I’m thrilled. Still, a win would also be nice.

The X factor is Silsbee’s passing game. Run defense has been good for Ned, and I don’t expect them to struggle too much unless Silsbee can keep the ball moving through the air. We haven’t yet had to see how Ned deals with a strong qb. I think this one will be higher scoring just because I think Nederland is going to figure out some more offense, but I’m going with Silsbee, 38-31.

Does anyone have a link for tickets? I went to the La Porte website and all I can find is a link for season passes. I know for some schools they sometimes don’t drop until Monday.

I’m telling you: Calling the defense the “blue link” (which, as far as I can tell, no one but administrators and game announcers use, because it sounds stupid) is bad juju. Ever since the name change, WOS hasn’t been the same.

I forgot to add a poll. If someone knows how to add that after starting the thread, feel free to add it.

One of the biggest matchups in the state. Let’s hear it.

The first game BU went up some big number in the first quarter. PNG’s defense was atrocious. I think it was 24-0 at one point. BU still managed to lose. I will say that BU looked much better than the last couple years defensively. The turnovers are what put them in the hole so fast. If they simply kept the ball this would have been a closer game.

Png 6-0. First matchup in 2020, and they’ve played every year since.

Vidor might as well give up the slot T/wing t thing and just run a normal offense. You can’t run a Liberty Hill-style offense without Liberty Hill’s execution and discipline. Vidor’s never been at that level. They could, but they haven’t yet.

I only watched in bits and pieces but there were a few plays where Coach Thompson would have been biting straight through his clipboard. Also, whatever problems Nederland has, their d-line is legit.

Some of those weren’t on the Qb, in fairness

Nederland got away with a false start on one of their first downs.

Rumors of Nederland’s demise have been greatly exaggerated

Agreed - coaching can’t be ignored. But I think it’s short-sighted not to look at what Faircloth did with both eyes open and give credit where credit is due - PNG success, where we had it, under Faircloth, wasn’t guaranteed. Faircloth developed offensive talent on a year-to-year basis as well as or better than any coach in the area. And that kept us in games we should have lost. Would I like to see better defense? Yes. I also think we could be better. But there’s no guarantee a new coach is going to reach even what Faircloth did. But the one thing that’s certain is certain PNG fans are going to be toxic to the new guy and we’ll wonder in a few years why he left. They may as well start getting the for sale signs ready for the new guy. Sometimes PNG fans just don’t deserve a good coach. They don’t want a team, they want a club. Coach Thompson would have lasted five seconds at PNG because the first time he required an ounce of toughness from the kids he would lose the team. And no matter what Faircloth ever did, he was getting back-bit in every direction. I’m going to laugh my head off if Sulphur Springs win state under Faircloth. Not saying he will, but maybe he’s better than we gave him credit for? Best of luck to the new guy. I hope he likes listening to parents whine.

I hope so

Do they sell tickets at the gate or do you have to buy online (asking for any of the state championship games)? I am in the area and was thinking of going to a game tomorrow.

Good game Crosby. LH came out ready for revenge. It’s one of those nights where you almost think Crosby would pull it off on a different day. LH’s run game is ridiculous. Vidor needs to camp out there and take notes.

Will this make Crosby the smallest D1 school?

I would bring in Art Briles immediately if we could

I only know one member of the school board personally : Jake Lefort. He’s a former star player for PNG, and a former PNG coach (coached me). I think his son is on the team now. My opinion of him is through the roof.

If this is true, I’m furious. What a joke. I hope he becomes Nederland’s offensive coordinator just to give PNG the finger.