By Brian Besch
Polk County Enterprise

LIVINGSTON — Port Neches-Groves utilized its dual-threat quarterback and his surrounding offensive weapons to defeat Livingston 56-14 Monday night in Lion Stadium.

The playmaking abilities of Port Neches-Groves (3-0, 2-0) quarterback Roschon Johnson and run after catch from his offensive cohorts proved to be the difference in a game that was within a score with a little over 1 minute remaining in the first half.

The competitive two quarters closed with two Indian touchdowns in the final minute of the second quarter.

Johnson (22 of 28, 253 yards, 5 total touchdowns, interception) had a hand in three of the four first-half scores, with two on the ground and one through the air. Preston Hughes (7 receptions, 71 yards, TD; 4 rushes, 96 yards, TD) put the first points up on the opening drive of the contest, as his 32-yard jaunt included two cutbacks to elude Lion defenders.

The talented Indian signal caller punched in a second score in as many possessions from a yard out, ending a nine-play sequence. He would use his feet and a deadly wide receiver screen game to fatigue a thin Lion defense.

“[Johnson] is going to Texas for a reason,” Livingston coach Brian Broussard said. “On the screen passes, it looks like it is going to be overthrown, but he knows right where his receivers are going to be and puts them on the money.”

Livingston (0-4, 0-3) took the next kickoff and embarked on its best drive of the season, spanning 15 plays and 58 yards, culminating in a six-yard Christian Mitchell (19 rushes, 93 yards, 2 TDs) score. The speedy athlete followed his back into the end zone, cutting the margin to 14-6.

Broussard said Monday’s effort was the best he had received from his team this season.

“I told our kids to go out and have fun regardless and play for each other. We need to go out and enjoy the game. Whatever happens is going to happen. I think they want to do so well that they put too much pressure on themselves. We had a couple of turnovers that led to a score where we had drives going, but we are relying on some kids that are just getting tired. They were rolling 55-60 kids in, while we were down to just three de-fensive linemen and putting offensive linemen in there just to give them a break. That’s just where we’re at.”

In the final minute, the junior quarterback showcased why colleges across the nation are after his services at the next level. PNG took the ball at its own 30, crossing the goal line in just six plays and in less than two minutes. Johnson danced around the Lion defense and broke a few tackles on his way to a 37-yard run for six. He would finish with 111 rushing yards on just eight attempts.

The Lions received the ensuing kickoff and produced a first down before fumbling a play later. It took Johnson one play to connect with Hughes on a flag route for 20 yards and another score, putting PNG up 28-6 at the break.

“We could have gone into the half at 14-7 if we would have finished,” Broussard said. “You can see the effort and you can’t look at the scoreboard, but I was proud of the effort. I was proud of moving the ball and how we were able to keep the defense off the field. They have been averaging over 70 snaps a game and that is a lot to ask of our defense.”

The two scores in one minute were the beginning of six consecutive touchdown drives, extending the run into the midway point of the final period. Johnson threw two more touchdown passes, one each to Cameron Stansbury and Preston Riggs (6 catches, 112 yards, TD). Jose Ceja (eight rushes, 53 yards) made two trips to the end zone to close the scoring.

A third quarter Mitchell run for points kept the second half from being all Indians. Mitchell would also throw for gains of 51 and 24 on the drive to set up the plunge from a yard out.