Port Arthur Memorial at Nederland looks very good on paper.

Two teams from neighboring towns are unbeaten and will square off Monday night. A month ago, their season was on hold because of Tropical Storm Harvey.

A totally different atmosphere will take over Bulldog Stadium this time.

“Especially in the situation we’re in now, where so many kids’ families have lost their homes and vehicles, I think it’s big for our community to play those games,” Memorial coach Kenny Harrison said. “Some of these families may not have vehicles, but playing these local games, it’s a lot easier to get to than it would be to get to Houston.

“I think it’s big for the community. The kids embrace the fact that of us bringing this community together.”

This is only the second time Memorial and Nederland have ever played, and the Bulldogs — who lost 42-12 last year at Memorial Stadium — want to make it an even rivalry.

“I don’t think you can hide that fact from last year,” Nederland coach Monte Barrow said. “The guys who were juniors in that game are now seniors. What happened in that game doesn’t directly affect what’s going to happen this year. But at the same time, if it’s positive motivation for some of them, that’s not a bad thing, either.”

Nederland (3-0, 2-0 in 22-5A) is a lot healthier in its skill positions than this time last year, and Barrow has galvanized a more experienced team trying to return to prominence after missing the 2016 5A playoffs.

Junior Blaysin Fernandez is looking to build on a six-passing touchdown game against Baytown Lee from Tuesday night.

“Coach Barrow has really brought us together as a team,” Fernandez said. “He tells us we have to fight for each other. This is his first year. He wants all of us to look good, but we’ve been fighting hard for him and we’re not going to give up.”

The Titans (2-0, 2-0) have been getting more players involved in their offense as well, looking to build more depth as the season goes on.

Senior Keitha Jones has started strong under center and found plenty of targets to count on.

“We learned from a year ago when Elijah [Hines, Memorial’s running back] went down, we needed some guys to step up,” Harrison said. “So, one of our goals was get some guys some confidence early in the season.”

Three receivers each caught a touchdown pass last Tuesday against Ozen, with senior James Francis’ three receptions leading the way.

“I’ve just got to secure the bag,” Francis said. “I’m just trying to grind, you know?”

That, he and the Titans have done.
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I.C. Murrell: 549-8541. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews