1970

That makes sense. I thought (jokingly) that maybe they wanted to get to Canes before they closed. I've been seeing school buses from all over pulled in there lately. And one, I can't remember where from, was pulled into Rao's (next door to Canes) last week.

Ha! Don't bring that up on the PNG forum, you'll have those folks all over you! But, it sure seemed like it last night. Two high powered offenses for sure. Defense made some stops, but really stepped up at the end.

Perhaps I shouldn't have said that, but keep in mind that I was watching the game live. The one incident that I was referring to was their running back's stiff arm to the face, which actually appeared to be fingers into the eyes, of a would be tackler. I happened to be sitting in Gen Adm., right at the goal line, about 4 or 5 rows up, and thought I saw it pretty well. Also I was probably too hard on the refs last night. Refs by and large, for the past 3 seasons, just don't seem to call holding very often. They did throw a couple of flags for hits out of bounds. And the pile ups at the goal line, with the QB at the bottom of the pile, I guess a TD can be tough to call. By the time they dig down to the bottom of the pile, anything can happen. I'm hoarse this morning from yelling. Heck of a game. My grandson and his girlfriend went to the concession stand with the score tied 14-14, and by the time they returned, the score was 35-35.

Don't forget about Montgomery, I'm thinking. What PNG needs is more speed, and a little more fire. They actually looked pretty flat tonight, but managed to come through, even with the poor refs and dirty LC players. And this may be the way it's going to be this season, with the so-called target on their back.

Montgomery appears to be the dark horse in the district.

True, dat.

Yeah, especially when there are no flags for holding. These refs are pretty bad. Must be the same crew that called the WOS - Ned game.

These refs just do not call holding. Or pushes in the back.

Uh, no, not really. Lot's of everything else, though.

... and the worst kick off team I've seen in the past 5 years for PNG. Not the worst defense, but very close. It's a good thing for my nerves that I no longer have a dog in this fight.

Worst officiating I've seen so far this season. And the dirtiest team (LC that is) that I've seen since Austin LBJ 2 years ago.

Off topic a bit perhaps, but LP sort of reminded me of playing Texas City the past two seasons, but with two Caleb Bells instead of one.

I do remember some real barn burners though. Back in the 70s I had a couple of co-workers that were fairly new HS refs, and they were assigned to a game, I'm pretty sure it was at either HD or WH, and anyway the game started late because they rode together with another ref and they got lost, finally arriving to the game ~20 mins or so late.

I thought that you are #9's mom, but I've just now noticed that it's "mon", not "mom". Anyway, yeah I think that PNG and Ned are two of the best crowds in the area. Noisy, but no cow bells or air horns. An occasional duck call, maybe.

... and don't forget hostile.

I don't have it in front of me, but in this season's program Coach Joseph refers to the "target on their backs" as a privilege, in so many words. Anyway I'm reasonably certain that he and the other coaches have had a thing or two to say to this year's team about rankings. I've got our tickets, and I'm looking forward to Friday, it should be a good game.

Yeah, that's what the LC coach is pretty much saying on his weekly interview broadcast. (I don't have the link handy - I saw it on another forum.) Just paraphrasing here, but he basically says that PNG is just not as physical as last season's team. Besides that he says that PNG only plays their best in the first half. Gave up lots of yards to LaPorte. He ain't worried about home field advantage, heck they've played in "more hostile" places - like the Woodlands, for example. LC already has this Friday's game won, in their minds. PNG had better be on their toes.

The LC QB scrambled quite a bit, with more than several times just barely getting away, including once in the end zone that probably was an un-called touchback or maybe grounding. There was also some blown coverage. PNG's LBs will need to be quicker than they've been so far, and hopefully they will be. But what turned out to be the difference was the blocked field goal. I'm curious why LC isn't ranked ahead of some of the other top 10 teams; did they lose a lot of starters from last season?

Yeah, I readily confess that I should have qualified my statement, and put it in quotes, like "per my neighbor", or something similar. My neighbor has two kids attending HF, and he was at the scrimmage, so really I'm just quoting him. Anyway, it'll be a close game, I'm thinking.

Nederland. Geez ...

Montgomery, I think. But we'll see.

Huntsville

Lumberton may be able to contain BC's QB somewhat better than OF did, and typically Lumberton seems to have hometown refs, and it's tough to have a good game against them at home. But I still can't get it out of my head, them quitting and walking off of the field against HF. I'm going with BC for the win.

Titans are the ranked team, and should easily win the game, homecoming notwithstanding. If BU's O-line could give #10 a second or two more time, perhaps he'd settle down and be able to put a little more zip on his passes. Otherwise he's accurate enough and he's got a couple of speedy receivers. The team isn't lacking for athletes, just some organization, and a little "fire", as we used to call it.

Last season these two teams met in the playoffs with LC ranked 2nd in 5a-2, and I think PNG was ranked 8th or thereabouts. PNG built a lead and then hung on, intercepting a pass at the end for the win. At a glance so far, both teams this season seem to have found their game on offense, but still working to get the defense hitting on all cylinders. The PNG defense so far hasn't shown last seasons speed. This game could be another one like the LaPort - PNG game week before last. I'm going with PNG and home field advantage, and perhaps a little improved defense since Laporte.