Jaecorien Barnes remembers the feeling of getting beat 56-28 last year by the Channelview Falcons.

He remembers how the Port Arthur Memorial Titans gave up 31.4 points a game in 2015.
The senior linebacker likes the feelings he and his teammates are feeling this year a lot more.

Barnes and his defensive teammates are giving up 7.6 points a game through five contests this season.

He has 45 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, three sacks, one pass breakup and one caused fumble so far in 2016.

“It is a much better feeling,” Barnes said. “We are performing well so far. I think people underestimated us at the start of the season. We are better than what people think we are.
“We worked hard all year. We work out and stay practicing. I never liked the feeling of losing. This is much better.”

Barnes admitted he lost what it felt like to win over the last couple of years before 2016.

“I hadn’t had that feeling in a while,” Barnes added. “It is way better. It doesn’t make practice any easier because practice should always be tough. We stay focused and practice hard.”

The Titans try again this week to hold down another opponent but this one might be the most talented team Memorial has faced yet.

Memorial hosts Port Neches-Groves at 7 p.m. Friday in a game of the only undefeated teams left in District 22-5A.

“We are preparing the same as every other week,” Barnes said. “We have to keep our heads up and stay focused.”

Barnes knows the two communities within Port Arthur and Port Neches-Groves are excited to see football between the areas again. The last time a PNG squad faced a Port Arthur team was in 2001. The Indians lost to both Thomas Jefferson and Lincoln that season.

“It is just another step and a regular game,” Barnes said. “It is just a regular game in our step to a district title.”

There was a simple formula Barnes said for beating the Indians — “contain the quarterback.”
PNG sophomore Roschon Johnson is the quarterback Barnes spoke of. He has thrown for 1,208 yards, rushed for 494 and has a combined 27 touchdowns.

“We have to stay on their receivers and make tackles,” Barnes said. “If we do all that, they won’t put many points on us. He (Johnson) is pretty good for a sophomore.”

Titans coach Kenny Harrison gave Barnes quite the compliment when speaking about one of his senior leaders.

“He is very physical,” Harrison said. “He is one of the most physical kids I have ever been around. It is funny I got a chance to watch Elandon Roberts on Sunday because he (Barnes) reminds me of Elandon with his field presence and skills on the field.

“Elandon was a little more vocal but as far as being physical, they are both two of the most physical players I have been around.”

Roberts is a Memorial graduate who after playing at the University of Houston is now a rookie on the New England Patriots.
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Gabriel Pruett: 721-2436. Twitter: @PaNewsGabe