By Ken Stickney

ken.stickney@panews.com

PORT NECHES — They may be blood rivals on the gridiron, but Port Neches-Groves and Nederland fans were more similar — confident, cheerful, gracious — than they were different as kickoff neared Friday.

Schwanna Johnson, mother of PNG quarterback Roschon Johnson, had pulled into The Reservation around 4 p.m. and was dining in the parking lot on fried fish, shrimp and chicken with family members as the afternoon sun and temperatures dipped together.

“He is very confident of bringing home the Bum Phillips Trophy,” she said with a big smile of her son. “It’s very crucial for him.”

That’s because her son is headed to Austin to play for the University of Texas next year, so Friday’s game marked the end of one family era — both her older son, Jeremiah Rose, and Roschon played for the Indians — and the start of another one in Austin.

“You want a plate?” she asked. “We’re making hot chocolate, too.”

Kathy Patterson graduated Thomas Jefferson High but her children graduated PNG in ’89, ’92 and ’98. She was waiting on a daughter and granddaughter to enter the stadium.

“Don’t tell anyone,” Patterson, who’s lived in Groves 50 years, said, “but my son and daughter-in-law work for the Nederland district. They’ll be sitting over there,” she said, motioning toward the Nederland side of the field.

Jerdy Fontenot of Port Arthur was there to cheer on No. 90, Josh Patterson, one of his 16 grandchildren. “I’m his paw-paw,” he said of Patterson, one of 16 grandchildren. “I’m awfully proud of him.”

Haley Booty and Chelsea Seymour declared themselves “super excited” about the game, the third Bum Phillips Bowl they’d experienced as PNG students. Their freshman year, the Indians won. Then, Booty said, “Harvey happened” and Nederland claimed the trophy.

“My mom said we should have worn beenies,” Seymour said, wrapping the blanket tighter.

Walking toward the Nederland side, Maggie Mouton and Rocky Hughes, both Lamar freshmen in nursing, said they experienced the last four years of the game as Bulldog band members. This game would be different as alums.

“I’m not as hyped as in high school,” said Hughes, who has put away his percussion instrument. But he was bundled up nonetheless, still ready for action.

Jay Huckaby of Orange waited for stadium entry and to see his Bulldog son, No. 21 Logan Nguyen, play.

“I’ve got a light jacket and some blankets in the truck. We’re hoping to win with no injuries. We’re ready; he’s ready,” he said.

Port Neches Police Capt. Jesse Fournet said he’s worked security at the game for about 18 years. There is seldom trouble, he said, despite the intensity of the rivalry.

“They’re very competitive and you’ll see a lot of people,” he said. “It’s just a good, old-fashioned, friendly rivalry.”

Under the shadows of some trees, Bubba Sonnier said beating PNG was a family tradition. He played for the winning Bulldogs in high school; his son Trevin played in the 2010 win and son Hunter would line up at defensive end Friday.

He’d showed up at 4 to tailgate, Sonnier said, and dined on deer sausage, gator boudain — “That’s gone,” he said — and some links.

“You sure I can’t get you a plate?”