The Indians stationed a spy — usually linebacker Austin Miller or Hagan Crorey — to keep the slithery and elusive McGaffie from free-lancing too much. The Jackets’ quarterback was so difficult to contain that PN-G’s first would-be tackler would not finish off the play. But the Galena Park field general only produced one play of more than 20 yards. He gained 24 on GP’s second offensive play.

“Austin Miller was forcing McGaffie somewhere else, even if he didn’t make the tackle,” the Indians’ defensive coordinator explained. “We worked on it all week.”

PN-G’s offense could sympathize with its defense for a half. The Indians would move the ball but not finish first-half possessions well enough. Senior guard Josh Cortez and junior linemen Jerin Spikes, Tanner Ross, Dillon Harrison and Ryan McLin decided to take over the game.

PN-G scored on 4 of 4 second-half touchdowns and covered 85, 42, 76, and 50 yards.

“We definitely took control after half,” guard Cortez said. “It’s sweet. I wouldn’t have had any other way. We were a little slow on offense and then we made some adjustments and everything started going great.”

Tatum and Johnson clicked on a 21-yard post route off play-action to open the second half. The Indians’ wide receiver got behind Jackets’ corner Wendell Williams. That scoring pass doubled the 7-0 halftime edge to 14-0 with 4:28 left in the third quarter.

Exactly a minute later, a Ben Lancaster fumble recovery regained the ball for PN-G at the Jackets’ 42. Nine plays later, Tatum and Johnson connected again as time expired in the third quarter.

Johnson ran an out route to PN-G’s sideline. Williams tried in vain for the interception and Johnson turned it upfield for a 13-yard catch-and-run and a 20-0 cushion.

Hemmings, Wright and Kenneth Tezeno each scored once on the ground and welcomed the strong work of their blockers all night. Bothered earlier in the week with a leg bruise, Hemmings performed like a champion all night.

“I felt good,” he said. “I knew the whole week that I would be playing.”

It all ended up becoming a dominant display on a most fitting occasion.