By Gabriel Pruett
The News Sports Writer
PORT NECHES — Port Neches-Groves Indians senior Jack Giblin stood and watched a lot of the 2014 football season and sometimes he sat on the sidelines.
There was not a special seat for Giblin because his seat was in a wheelchair.
Giblin in the Indians third game of 2014 dislocated his ankle when five Tyler Chapel Hill defenders tackled him near the sideline. His season was over.
He ended the year with 17 catches for 312 yards and five touchdowns.
“Hearing the news I couldn’t play again last year broke my heart,” Giblin said. “All I had looked forward to last year was playing football and two-and-a-half games was not what I had in mind.”
Giblin is back.
“It takes a lot off my shoulders,” Giblin said. “There was a lot of work to get back to where I was and there was a lot of stress. I have my team’s confidence back in me and it feels great being back out there for them.
“Last year is not something I even want to look back on. You have to push on through because it was a hard season. I knew I could be out there helping my teammates but I couldn’t do anything about it.”
The 6-foot, 3-inch receiver and the Indians 7-on-7 team competes this Friday in the state tournament in College Station.
PN-G’s first game is at 2 p.m. against Plainview. At 4 p.m., the Indians face Pearland and at 6 p.m. the Indians take on Lake Dallas. The winner of the pool moves on to the second day’s tournament.
“For the last year I had taken for granted just being able to walk and for people to have that disadvantage in their daily lives is horrible,” Giblin said. “Running feels great. Everything feels great.
“(Quarterback) Adam (Morse) and I have a lot of trust in each other. I know the ball is going to be in the right spot every single time. We have been out here every single day throwing and getting our timing down. It feels great having a good quarterback on your team.”
Giblin said he knew before the season started Morse had the ability to be a great quarterback.
“I always knew he had it in him,” Giblin said. “Just by the way he practices and the motivation inside him, I knew he would have a great year. He is just a really good player all around.”
Before the season opener on Saturday, Aug. 29 in Clear Lake, Giblin hopes the Indians 7-on-7 team can bring home a state title.
“It is a fun time to get bonded with the team,” Giblin said. “We had a blast last year doing it. We didn’t finish the job last year and we have been working enough this year to get where we need to be. The first goal is to get out of the pool and be able to play on Saturday.”