Corley's Game Notes

'Dogs Bring Home Madness, Bragging Rights

 As the sun set on Pasadena Saturday night, expectations on the next few hours were slim to none. With three weeks off and Hurricane Rita fresh on everyone's minds, both teams had worries coming into this game. Coach Larry Neumann stated that his biggest concern would be endurance after having no conditioning during the evacuation.

 Despite early fears of cramping and exhaustion, Nederland proved that stamina was not going to be an issue in one of the biggest rivalries in high school football. Stats definitely favored the Indians throughout the game, but if sports writers have ever learned something, especially in this game, it's that stats mean less to this than how many times Cherokee is played.

 After a botched Nederland fake punt in the first quarter, PN-G capitalized on the field position and drove down to take a 6-0 lead after missing the extra point. The Dogs quickly fired back after two nice connections from Moshier to Butler for a total of 24 yards and a 19-yard touchdown run by Mosley to take the lead 7-6. Nederland would then take control of the game... for a little while, including a crafty reverse to Butler that went for 61 yards and put the Nederland ahead 21-6 early in the third quarter. After failure to continue the running success PN-G had in the first half, the Indians moved to the air breaking down the Nederland secondary allowing a 26-yard pass to Kane Segura to cut the lead 21-13 with 4:09 remaining in the third quarter. The Indians then capitalized on the momentum swing and capturing 19 unanswered points to regain the lead 25-21 with less than ten minutes remaining in a typical see-saw matchup between the Mid-County powerhouses. It was then that I asked Mark Strayhorn what we need to do to get that lead back. His response. "Butler, something with Butler." Sure enough Mark was correct as Moshier hit Butler again for a 69 yard TD pass to regain the lead 28-25. Then, a pair of interceptions deep in the fourth quarter proved fatal to the Indians as Chris Laird, quarterback turned defensive back, danced his way 39 yards into the endzone after picking off Hemmings to seal the deal.

 PN-G was able to drive down and kick a 39 yard field goal that helped to spark some hope for Indian fans with 1:30 left. Garrett Butler, however, made sure to put the fire out quickly and recovered the onside kick for the Dogs. As unorthodox as this Mid-County Madness was, the game itself proved to be somewhat typical in that there was no clear cut winner until a little over a minute remained. Considering the circumstances, this was a very fun and enthusiastic MCM for both sides. Fans showed up in the thousands even after the devastation everyone has been facing. Neumann stated, however that there was no time for reflecting or game film, because as soon as the light faded on the Indians, new light formed over a team from Beaumont who narrowly escaped a victory over Vidor this week. Nederland will play host to the Ozen Panthers in Baytown Thursday night at 7, in a game that will in many views decide the District 20-4 A champions.

Brandon Corley