PORT NECHES — The series between Port Neches-Groves and Central is now even, but Friday’s game was hardly in doubt.

Roschon Johnson rushed for 125 yards and three touchdowns and threw for two more, and PNG took a 35-20 victory on The Reservation. The win keeps the Indians in second place in District 22-5A, just a game behind Port Arthur Memorial, but also clinched a spot in the playoffs, which begin in three weeks.

“It’s always fun when you get to tell your team, welcome to the Texas high school football state playoffs,” Indians coach Brandon Faircloth said.

Central (3-5, 2-4) is now in a must-win situation for its final two games to make the playoffs. It trails Nederland and Livingston, both tied for fifth, by one game.

PNG (7-1, 5-1) evened its all-time record with Central to 9-9, dating back to 1986, and has won the past two meetings with the Jaguars each by two touchdowns. But the Jags didn’t go without posing any problems for the Indians.

“They pose plenty of problems,” Faircloth said. “They’re a great team with great coaches. No doubt about it. They get in your face. They’re big and physical. They pose plenty of problems for every team they’re going to play against. We’re just very fortunate to get the win tonight.”

Senior Preston Riggs had three catches for 66 yards, one of them a 48-yard strike from Johnson. The sophomore quarterback completed 7 of 10 passes, one of which was a 30-yard TD pass to Keynel McZeal. 

Johnson opened the scoring with a 16-yard touchdown run on the Indians’ second possession. He had a 29-yard carry on that five-play, 72-yard drive.

“He’s a sophomore. He’s getting better and better every time,” Riggs said. “His vision, his throwing game, his feet.”

Faircloth noted it was a collective effort for the Indians and added the defense was the story of the game. The Jaguars were held to 245 total yards.

“They have a really good offensive team,” Faircloth said. “Our defense was able to get some fourth-down stops and get off the field and just kept playing and finally got a turnover in the end.”

Jacob Vaughan stepped in front of a Central receiver and dove for an interception with 4:56 remaining.

PNG’s defense limited Central to one first down on its first three series combined and took advantage with Riggs’ big play to go up 14-0. Then, the Jaguars strung together an eight-play, 75-yard march ending with Chris Boudreaux’s 13-yard connection to Deshon Moreaux for a TD.

Boudreaux totaled 15 of 23 passes for 123 yards and two scores. Moreaux, who was on the receving end of both TDs, had six receptions for 50 yards and nine carries for 52 yards.

Johnson ran for 33 yards and completed a 13-yard pass during a 4-minute, 12-second series that saw the Indians go up 21-7, the score at intermission. But they would have to wait to throw any knockout punch, as Central pulled within a touchdown following a scoreless third quarter.

“We weren’t expecting them to be that physical,” Riggs said of the Jaguars. “They started off real strong.”

Central’s defense found a way to hold PNG to fewer than 100 yards in the second half after giving up 218.

PNG meets Ozen at the Thomas Center in Beaumont next Saturday before hosting Nederland in the Bum Phillips Bowl. Central must beat Livingston at home and Baytown Lee on the road, or the Jaguars will miss the postseason.

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I.C. Murrell: 721-2435. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews