NEDERLAND - Ron Mohica does not just play games against Nederland's opponents, he wins games against them. That's seldom accomplished by a defensive nose tackle.

  But the word seldom applies to plenty about the sparkling on-field work of this 6-0, 290-pound junior, a Port Arthur News Super Team selection last year as a sophomore.

  Seldom have Nederland's coaches ever worked with a player who seemed right at home as a freshman against Port Neches-Groves in his first-ever varsity start. Seldom have Nederland's coaches ever instructed a player who looked so ready for the regular season opener by the time of Nederland's first scrimmage against Silsbee. And seldom, again last Friday night, have the talents and hustle of a nose tackle been able to spell the difference between victory and defeat as clearly as against Beaumont West Brook.

  Thanks to Ron's extra efforts, the final score at Bulldog Stadium was Nederland 14, West Brook 13. Bruins quarterback Billy Chavis could tell you how important Mohica's work would become when he would try to keep the ball behind his left side on a two-point conversion attempt with 46 seconds to play.

  The television screen in Nederland's coaches office revealed how West Brook's offensive guard tried to cut Mohica low as the ball was snapped. Mohica was shaded to the opposite side where the play developed. That required Ron to defeat the block and hustle quickly to the opposite side.

 

  Nederland's pursuit might have stopped Chavis short of the goal or it might not have. That's a hypothetical issue that Larry Neumann and Nederland's coaches do not have to address. Mohica made it a moot point.

  "We were in a goalline front," Neumann recalled. "Trey Thibodeaux spinned him (Chavis) and he probably should have made the play. But Chavis got away from Thibodeaux and if Mohica doesn't defeat the block and hustle over there, Chavis might have scored."

  Maybe Neumann gave the greater share of the credit to Mohica, but the unselfish, team-oriented dished his share back to defensive tackle Thibodeaux when he described the play to this reporter.

  "I think Thibodeaux got there and he made him (Chavis) cut back and got his foot," Mohica said. "I was there to get the initial hit but Thibodeaux was the one that made him cut to my side to where I got a good hit on him."

  For Mohica and Nederlanders, the bottom line was a 14-13 win and a 2-1 record, rather than a 15-14 loss and a 1-2 record. That makes a pleasant difference as Nederland prepares for this Friday's trip to the home of undefeated District 23-4A representative Friendswood. The teams kick off Friday night in Henry Winston Stadium at 7 p.m., not 7:30 p.m.

  To keep Mohica from resting on his laurels, Nederland's coaches have tossed a brand new challenge in front of Ron this week. Mohica will make his first career varsity start on offense, in addition to manning his regular nose tackle job. Mohica will start at strongside guard in place of Trevor Huber, who will miss this week's outing due to an ankle sprain.

  Mohica doesn't wish to make Huber feel bad about it but he does admit to some additional excitement about the chance to play both ways for the first time in a varsity game. After 21 defensive starts, Mohica knows he has some new motivation.

  "I've always worked with the second group and I wanted to show the coaches that I could also be an offensive player as well as a defensive player," he said. "I just wanted the experience and the chance to show them that I could do more than just defense. I've got some pretty big shoes to fill, though.

  "It makes it a lot more exciting. I'll be a little bit more nervous than I normally am because I have to worry about the different defensive fronts to go up against, the right calls to make, whether I have to pull, and all my techniques... where I have to put my head at and everything."

  If nothing else, Mohica figures to become add a few smarts to his thinking skills. He's already admitted that a player is required to use his brain much more on the offensive line than on defense. This quote is bound to make Ron fewer friends with his fellow defenders, but here goes:

  "You can't be dumb on the offensive line," he said. "You have to be a smart player. You have to know what you're going up against. You have to know what calls to make, what defensive fronts they're in... you've gotta be a real smart player."

  Oh well, defensive coordinator Delbert Spell may have to break out the whip and force a punishment or two on Mohica for those lines.

  But before Ron divides his loyalties too much, the politician in Mohica wishes to make a few thoughts perfectly clear.

  "I've always been a defensive player and I've been there pretty much my whole football career," he said. "I never thought I would ever start in the offensive line. They always told me that I should be prepared but I never thought I would actually start."

  Mohica's offensive training has not occurred overnight. Larry Neumann's system has required all players to be trained in at least one position on each side of the ball, regardless of their talent level or their value to the team at their starting position. Therefore, Mohica was getting the repetitions with the second offensive unit all along. Neumann always has been pleased with the practice level which Mohica has delivered in his backup offensive role, too. Neumann finally made the decision on Tuesday for Mohica to start both ways this week.

  "Ron already voiced the will to want to start," Neumann said. "If there can be a leader who's an underclassmen, he's it by his performance."

  ... which includes his ability to win games.

 

BULLDOG BITES

  Again for Nederland fans traveling to Friendswood, Friday night's kickoff time is scheduled for 7 p.m., rather than the usual 7:30 p.m. Fans should travel west on I-10 and exit at Beltway 8 south. Exit Beltway 8 at I-45 south and travel to FM 2351, which also is exit 29. Turn right onto 2351, which also is called Edgewood Dr. in Friendswood. Stay on Edgewood Dr., until making a left turn onto Sunset Dr. Make a right turn onto Falling Leaf Dr. The stadium should be visible on Falling Leaf Dr.... The game will also be carried on KLVI-AM (560) and on the internet at www.fridaynightexperience.com.... A Friday morning pep rally is scheduled for the Dogdome at 8:35 a.m. The Bulldogs will depart NHS via charter bus at 2:30 p.m..... Top grades vs. West Brook belonged to Micah Mosley (82) and Tyler Thompson (88) on offense. Thompson topped all grades on defense at 91 followed by Darin Smith (86) and Stephen Phillips (82).... Offensive guard Trevor Huber is considered doubtful for Friday with a severe ankle sprain. Ron Mohica will start both ways.... Wide receiver Ryan Butler sustained a calf bruise and remained questionable for Friday.... Darin Smith was diagnosed with a deep bruise in the back but no fracture.... Friendswood's Henry Winston Stadium has limited seating capacity on the visitors side and NHS has received only 500 tickets which sold out quickly on Tuesday. Tickets will still be available at the gate for $6 but no student tickets will be sold at the gate..