PORT NECHES — It seems like forever since the Port Neches-Groves Indians were on the football field against an opponent.

The week off was so long coach Brandon Faircloth had the team scrimmage against itself last week.

“There are no off weeks here,” Faircloth said. “We call them ‘get better weeks.’ Coming off the West Orange [Stark] game, we had plenty to work on. We worked on tackling, fundamentals and ball security.”

The Indians lost 28-14 to the Mustangs in their last game two weeks ago. The Indians coughed up the football twice, one near the end zone, and also had an interception.

“You can’t beat the Mustangs with three

turnovers,” Faircloth said. “I say you can’t beat that team with one turnover.”

So ball security is a focal point for PN-G heading into tonight’s game against Tyler Chapel Hill. The two teams met for the first time ever in 2014 with the Indians taking a 53-20 win.

Chapel Hill has started this season 0-3, and Faircloth has warned his Indians the record does not match how well the Bulldogs have played this year.

“They have played some very good teams,” Faircloth said and mentioned Chapel Hill opponents Lindale and Whitehouse. Lindale defeated Chapel Hill 27-0 to start the year and then the Bulldogs lost 51-21 to Whitehouse. Paris, last week, defeated Chapel Hill, 42-21.

“They are playing a tough schedule,” Faircloth said. “That will work out for them going into district. Chapel Hill is a very good team and was state champions in 2011. They have a good tradition and great history. It is one more opportunity for us to find a way to get better.”

Indians fans can watch to see if quarterback Adam Morse has a similar game against Chapel Hill as Whitehouse’s Collin Bullard had in Week 2. Bullard had 393 yards on 23-of-36 passing with three touchdowns. Morse has thrown for 538 yards on 40-of-71 passing with six touchdowns and one interception.

Besides the Bulldogs defense, Faircloth has one other component to worry about tonight against Chapel Hill.

“I do think you have to worry about rust,” Faircloth said. “If you give kids 13 days between games, it can happen. We scrimmaged last week versus ourselves to try to keep that from happening. That is why I am torn about having a bye week right before district or the week before that, because I don’t want to be rusty the first district game.

“The kids are excited to play. We had our best Monday practice of the year this week. Now we have games for eight weeks in a row. The stretch run is here. We can get the kids in a schedule because it is that time. It is time to play some meaningful football games.”

Playing the Mustangs did take its toll on the Indians in the physical sense. Several players had minor injuries coming out of the WO-S game.

“Monday was the first time in a while we had everyone at practice,” Faircloth said. “It was the first time we had everyone at practice all year. It was nice to see all the Indians suited up, and now we have to keep it that way.”