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DAYTON – Port Neches-Groves jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in posting a convincing 30-3 win over Dayton Friday night in District 8-5A Div. II action at Bronco Stadium.

The Indians finish the regular season with a 9-1 overall record and a 6-1 mark in district play. PNG will either be the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the first round of the playoffs next week, depending on the outcome of the Nederland at Montgomery game. PNG will host a Bi-District playoff off game next Friday, however the opponent will not be known until Saturday.

“They (Dayton) were playing nine men in the box and cover zero on the outside and we got some matchups on the outside throwing the football,” said PNG coach Jeff Joseph. “We made some plays in the air. That made a big difference in what we were able to do in the first half.

“They made a few mistakes, and we had a couple of three and outs on defense. We were able to score some points.”

With Dayton stacking the box to try and limit the Indians ground game, quarterback Connor Bailey was sharp throwing the ball early for PNG. He completed eight of his first 11 passes for 172 yards. He finished the game completing 10 of 20 for 206 yards and three touchdowns.

PNG was still able to establish it’s ground game. Tyson Henry led the way with 95 yards on 14 carries and one touchdown. Caden Naquin spelled Henry for much of the second half and carried six times for 21 yards. Dawson Guidry, subbing in at quarterback for Bailey, rushed for 50 yards five carries. As a team, the Indians rushed for 144 yards.

“Hopefully, our timing in the passing game is starting to come along,” said Joseph. “We dropped a few in the first half that we are going to have to catch in close games and in big games. We’re getting better at it and we’re going to keep working on it and we’re going to keep improving with what we are doing.

“Connor is so capable and such an accurate quarterback and a good passer. We have to make sure we’re doing a good job of helping him on the outside.”

Defensively, the Indians held the Broncos out of the end zone, limiting them to just a second half field goal. Zane Newby intercepted two passes, and PNG tackled the punter in the end zone for a safety. Dayton had just 109 yards of total offense, minus-7 yards rushing and 116 passing.

Trailing 30-0 at halftime, Dayton received the second half kickoff and drove down the field for its first and only scoring drive of the game. Easton Brock hit Jaleel Kendrick for a 60 yards completion to the PNG 3 to open the drive. Following two negative running plays and an incompletion, Mark Arellano came on to kick a 28-yard field goal to make the score 30-3.

Dayton successfully engineered an onside kick to retain possession. The Broncos advanced to the PNG 14 following a 31-yard completion from Brock to Kendrick on fourth-and-nine. But the drive stalled, and Arellano’s 36-yard field goal attempt was wide right.

Playing with a sizeable lead, the Indians started pulling it’s starters midway through the third quarter and never did put together a second half scoring drive.

Now, it’s on to the post-season for the Indians.

“We’ll keep the same type of preparation and same practice schedule as every other week,” said Joseph. “We’ll be playing a home playoff game on Friday night, and we’ll practice three days just like we always do. That’s not going to change. We’ll try to put a plan together that we can execute and win a playoff game.”

PNG didn’t waste any time in getting some points on the scoreboard. The Indians received the opening kickoff and on the fourth play from scrimmage, Bailey hit Nunley for a 79-yard touchdown to give PNG a quick 7-0 lead with 9:47 left in the first quarter.

After the defense forced a quick three-and-out by the Broncos, the Indians offense went back to work. Bailey hit Nunley for a 13-yard completion and then hit Tyce Benkert for 18-yards to the Dayton 35. After Bailey connected with Jude Gohlke for 10 yards, Henry scored on a 23-yard touchdown run to put the Indians up 14-0 with 4:14 remaining in the first quarter.

Dayton (4-6, 2-5) finally got a big offensive play on Elijah Ellis’ 28-yard run to the 50. But a high snap from center went over the head of quarterback Easton Brock for minus-13 yards to thwart the drive. Forced to punt from their own 34, the snap sailed over Braeden White’s head into the end zone for a safety to put PNG up 16-0.

A good return on the ensuing kickoff following the safety set up the Indians at the Dayton 47. Henry ran for 31 yards on the first play. Bailey hit Nunley for a 16-yard scoring strike on the second play at PNG extended its lead to 23-0 with 8:33 left in the second quarter.

PNG put together one final scoring drive before halftime. On fourth-and-11, Bailey hit Gohlke for a 32-yard touchdown to make the score 30-0 with 2:35 left before halftime. Bailey looked to be sacked, but somehow scrambled out of trouble to find Gohlke all alone in the middle of the field.

 

THE PLAY OF THE GAME WAS…
Connor Bailey hit London Nunley for a 79-yard scoring strike on the game’s fourth play from scrimmage. That gave the Indians a quick 7-0 lead, which they would never relinquish.

THE GAME BALL GOES TO…
Quarterback Connor Bailey and wide receiver London Nunley will have to share the game ball. Bailey completed 10 of 20 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns. Nunley had three catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns.

KEY STATS…
PNG’s Jude Gohlke had two catches for 42 yards and one touchdown. Layden Williams had three catches for 28 yards. Dayton’s Easton Brock completed 10 of 28 passes for 117 yards and two interceptions. Jaleel Kendrick rushed nine times for 17 yards and caught five passes for 99 yards. Braeden white had five catches for 18 yards.

UP NEXT…
Port Neches-Groves has clinched a playoff berth and will host a first round game. The opponent is yet to be determined. Dayton has been eliminated from playoff contention.