By Tom Halliburton
The News Sports Correspondent
LUFKIN — Kyle Segura has been appointed Port Neches-Groves ISD transportation director but at least Segura should allow space in the photo shoot with Adam Morse.
When it comes to transportation around PN-G, nobody does it better than this burly senior quarterback. In fact, when he escapes the Gulf Coast, Morse just might prove to be more efficient.
The Indians sharpshooter completed 26 of 30 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns Friday night in Abe Martin Stadium, guiding PN-G over Tyler Chapel Hill 41-10.
Morse found the Piney Woods to his liking, saying he enjoyed the night than he normally found a typical game. By the time Lance LaLonde grabbed a six-yard reception in the final minute, Morse only had connected with seven different receivers.
“I don’t know how to respond to 26 out of 30,” Indians chief Brandon Faircloth said of Adam’s near-flawless night. “I think that’s the third best passing night in PN-G history.”
The seventh-year PN-G head coach has a good command of those numbers. The 26 completions tied for the third-most in school history. The 341 yards tied for the fourth most yards in a PN-G game. And Morse doesn’t really need to shoot for new single-game records in either category because he already owns them, too.
“I had more fun tonight than I usually have,” Morse admitted. “I usually play more tense. It wasn’t as windy here and I was more accurate.”
Morse’s prolific air show robbed PN-G’s defense from earning the spotlight. Defensive coordinator Dustin Templin’s troops were just as superb as Adam. They pitched a second-half shutout, allowing Chapel Hill 67 total net yards in the final two quarters.
PN-G (2-1) only experienced one painful moment on this warm night. Senior middle linebacker Trey Rembert limped off with a right knee injury after the opening snap of the second half. Rembert departed the stadium in a walking cast and the extent of his injury remained undetermined during post-game interviews.
The injury certainly concerned Faircloth but the Indians chief still had to express his appreciation for Templin’s troops.
“Our guys came up with some plays on defense,” PN-G’s coach said. “We played with a lot of resilience. We never quit.”
Juniors Nathan Vidrine and Parker Shults snagged the interceptions while Rembert himself secured a huge fumble recovery at PN-G’s 3 right before the half. A shaky pass interference call moved the Bulldogs (0-4) to PN-G’s 6 on the previous snap.
“I thought our defense responded well in the red zone,” Templin said. “We talk to our players about owning the zone and they did a good job.”
Chapel Hill’s lone touchdown ended its opening series as speedy Ja’Braylon Franklin scooted 23 yards around his left flank. Morse had broken the ice earlier with 19-yard sideways strike to Kody Cropper.
A pretty hitch pass from Morse to Keynel McZeal gave PN-G a permanent lead (14-7) with2:11 left in the opening period. Morse and Cropper stayed on the ground for second quarter touchdown runs, fattening the halftime count to 28-10.
Jace Runnels slanted home on an eight-yard touchdown dash to open the final quarter. Jack Giblin grabbed a 14-yard scoring strike a crowded end zone moments later.
PN-G more than doubled Chapel Hill in first downs (23-10) and total yards (532-203) but Morse had more to do with the Indians’ transportation than anyone else.
“He’s always accurate,” senior receiver Caisen Sullivan said of his quarterback. “It’s really fun because he throws it right where you want it. That makes it easy on the receivers.”
The Indians open their 22-5A schedule next week at Baytown Lee.