By Tom Halliburton
The Port Arthur News
May 23, 2009 12:45 am
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PORT NECHES – When Blake Brooks was asked to identify the biggest Indians’ football change since last season, the Port Neches-Groves outside linebacker concisely replied, “Everything.”
Pretty much “everything” was on display under the lights Friday night on the new Reservation. And if you weren’t pretty much amazed by this PN-G spring football game, you pretty much need to schedule an eye or a head exam.
Just three days removed from baseball season, Indians junior pass receiver Spencer DeRon leaped over the back of two defenders in the end zone to catch a 22-yard touchdown pass from Brennan Doty with 41.8 seconds to play to lift the White team over the Purple team 28-21.
Regardless of the outcome, DeRon grabbed five passes for 105 yards and three touchdowns and served notice that he belonged among the area’s premier receivers.
Regardless of the outcome, Brandon Faircloth and his energetic staff have really transformed this program during a vibrant eight-week stretch of off-season followed by spring practice.
It’s impossible to dispute that PN-G has changed its mindset enormously with an efficient head coach who has captured the undivided attention of its 2009 football candidates. Those candidates concluded spring practice fully confident on Friday night that they could seize the District 20-4A football championship in Faircloth’s very first year.
“The last three weeks have been tough,” returning junior running back Caleb Harmon said. “There’s been a lot of learning but everything’s been fun. Tonight was our reward for it.
“Attitude has been the biggest thing – from having a positive attitude both in the classroom and on the field. That attitude has raised us from way down here to higher than we’ve ever been here.”
Harmon ran six times for 40 yards for the victorious white team. Junior runner Cody Ross dashed for 149 yards on 16 carries for the purple side. The margin of victory probably hinged on DeRon and battery mate Doty, who completed 19 of 26 with one interception and four touchdowns for the white team.
Purple team quarterback Matt Desmond produced for his unit both as a passer and a runner. Desmond hit 6 of 14 passes with one interception for 62 yards, while running 15 times for 64 yards and three running touchdowns.
Those numbers mean a lot less to Faircloth than the effort and overall performance which he saw.
“I’m very pleased with our performance,” the new Indians’ chief said. “The kids did a great job under the lights. We’re finding some players and we’ve built a great foundation. But this is just a beginning. We have to continue to work hard during the summer and have a great two-a-days (which starts Aug. 10).”
Those hundreds of PN-G fans enjoyed the view with the band striking up ‘Cherokee’ near mid-season form. And the Indians triumphed on their home turf for the first time, no matter what.
“We’ve really gotten a lot better as a team,” linebacker Brooks reflected on the spring work. “It’s a complete change for the good around here.”
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