PORT NECHES — It takes a special player to get called up as a sophomore and head to the varsity level on Friday nights.
Port Neches-Groves’ Anthony Anniboli is a special player.
Coach Brandon Faircloth said his Indians several years ago were in need of a linebacker to fill in for an injured player. He quickly thought of Anniboli on the junior varsity squad and No. 5 has not left the varsity team since then.
“There were no nerves,” Anniboli said. “I had been dreaming of playing for PN-G all my life.”
Faircloth said even as a senior, it doesn’t matter to Anniboli what day of the week his star linebacker plays on as long as he is on a team.
“A lot of guys would be tentative and nervous but I never saw any of that from him,” Faircloth said. “I saw a competitor. He doesn’t care what night he plays on whether it’s Thursday, Friday or Saturday. It doesn’t matter to him. He suits up and plays the game the right way and represents PN-G really well.”
Anniboli had a dream come true type quarter against Clear Lake in the Indians first game of the season.
He intercepted not one but two passes in the same frame.
“That was my first interception in my entire high school career,” Anniboli said. “I was excited. I couldn’t believe it happened. I planned on taking the second one to the house but my feet wouldn’t let me.”
Anniboli, or ‘Boli’ as his teammates call him, looked up to former PN-G quarterback Harrison Tatum because growing up and playing in the Port Neches Youth Football Alliance, Anniboli dreamed of playing quarterback.
“I remember thinking that one day I would be an Indian and here I am,” Anniboli said.
Anniboli has had to step up as of late and assume more of a leadership role after an injury to fellow linebacker Trey Rembert has left him off the starting roster for a couple of weeks.
“Anthony is an exceptional team leader and a great captain,” Faircloth said. “He has a big responsibility on his shoulders. We can always count on him. He is always going to play.”
Anniboli admits the loss of Rembert leaves a big whole in the PN-G defense.
“Losing Trey hurts,” he said. “He (Rembert) is probably the best player on our defense. He plays with a lot of heart. Everybody on defense, everybody, has to step up.
“(To take on more leadership) You have to be a bigger man. You have to grow as an individual. Everyone is doing their best.”