Football in District 22-5A has returned to a regular Friday schedule just in time for Kenny Harrison to see a big Southeastern Conference game Saturday.

Two of his recent Port Arthur Memorial graduates will square off when true sophomore Kam Martin and Auburn visit true freshman Kary Vincent Jr. and LSU in CBS’ weekly SEC broadcast. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m., with the game airing locally on KFDM, channel 6.

CBS calls each of its SEC games “the best game from the best conference.” In a rarity, two former Memorial teammates will reunite under the “Eye in the Sky.”

“That’s big time, and they’re two quality individuals, too,” Harrison said. “They had great high school careers. Just two dedicated young men in one of the top conferences in the nation, the Southeastern Conference. That speaks volumes for our program and the product we put on the next level.”

For Harrison and his cornerbacks coach Kary Vincent Sr., Auburn (5-1) at LSU (4-2) is the second big game of the weekend. Memorial visited Port Neches-Groves on Friday night.

“It’s like two of my kids actually playing,” since Vincent Sr., a former Texas A&M standout. “Kameron Martin is like a relative of mine. I’ve been in their family ever since I was a kid. Coaching him was like coaching my own son.”

Martin is the second-leading rusher for the Tigers with 260 yards on 32 carries (43.3 yards per game). He started the season strong with 136 yards and a touchdown in a rout of Georgia Southern, just three days after the Tropical Storm Harvey flood crested in Port Arthur.

“Kam’s uncle is my best friend,” Vincent Sr. said of Damon Martin. “[Kam’s] grandfather, which is his dad’s dad, we all grew up together. It’s been since day 1. Ever since I’ve known a human, it’s been me and Damon Martin. We’re like family.”

Family will take on family as Vincent Jr. suits up for the Tigers.

In six games (three starts), he has nine tackles and one-handed interception against Chattanooga that made the highlight reels.

Vincent Sr. and other followers going to the game have T-shirts made in honor of the matchup. He said the shirts show the state of Texas with the area code 409 and “Port Arthur” on front and an Auburn design with No. 9 for Martin and LSU design with No. 15 for Vincent on the back.

Despite the local connection in the SEC, Vincent Sr. said he stayed focused on Memorial at PNG.

“My focus has been on PNG because I know Coach O [head coach Ed Orgeron] and Coach [Corey] Raymond [defensive backs coach] will take care of business in Death Valley,” he said.
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I.C. Murrell: 549-8541. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews