Port Neches-Groves' defense is held off as Nederland's Luke Broussard runs the ball during Friday's Mid-County match-up at PNG. Photo made Friday, September 24, 2021 Kim Brent/The Enterprise
Kim Brent / The Enterprise
PORT NECHES — Four forced turnovers and two defensive touchdowns helped Nederland earn back the Bum Phillips Trophy on Friday night.
Despite trailing by two scores in the third quarter, the Bulldogs stormed back with 24 unanswered points, sealing a 38-28 win over Port Neches-Groves in the annual Mid-County Madness rivalry game.
Nederland took its first lead of the game with five minutes left to play on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Luke Broussard to Kyndon Fuselier. On PN-G’s next drive, quarterback Cole Crippen threw a screen pass into the waiting arms of Nederland’s Jacob Kotz, who returned it into the end zone to put the game away. It’s the Bulldogs first Mid-County Madness win since 2017.
“We challenged our defense at halftime, and they responded,” Nederland head coach Monte Barrow said. “What a great job by those kids to make adjustments and make plays in a huge moment.”
An action-packed first half ended with PN-G taking a one-score lead into the locker room.
PN-G started the scoring on their second possession of the game, quickly driving down field with big chunk runs from Koby Trahan. The senior finished off the drive with a one-yard touchdown, giving PN-G a 7-0 lead.
High school football scores roundup:
Thursday
Baytown Sterling 14, Beaumont United 7
Friday
North Shore 44, West Brook 7
Port Arthur Memorial 34, La Porte 0
Nederland 38, PN-G 28
West Orange-Stark 24, Hamshire-Fannett 8
Orangefield 16, Silsbee 14
Liberty 49, Hardin-Jefferson 0
Vidor 8, Jasper 7
Woodville 44, Buna 12
East Chambers 47, Hardin 10
Liberty 49, Hardin-Jefferson 0
Lumberton 24, Brazosport 14
LC-M 49, Kinkaid 20
Anahuac 66, Tarkington 10
Newton 44, Kountze 3
Evadale 32, Acadiana Christian 10
Warren 21, Anderson-Shiro 12
Nederland responded right back with a touchdown of its own. Quarterback Luke Broussard used his legs with long runs of 12, 10 and 12 yards — the last of which resulting in a game-tying touchdown.
PN-G’s offense continued its hot start, feeding Trahan while still finding long plays through the air. Crippen had two touchdown passes in the first half, but it was a fumble by PN-G’s quarterback that kept Nederland in the game.
With PN-G leading 14-7 and driving into Nederland territory, Crippen scrambled up the middle but took a hard hit that resulted in a fumble. Nederland’s two-way star Kyndon Fuselier scooped it up and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown that tied the game at 14 with 5:33 left in the half.
However, Crippen responded well to the turnover, leading PN-G right back down the field. He threw an 18 yard touchdown, and PN-G lead 21-14 at the half.
PN-G added to its lead early in the third quarter on another touchdown from Crippen, but Nederland’s defense would stiffen from there. Crippen would throw three interceptions in the second half, two going to defensive back Slade Stoker, as well as the crucial pick-six in the final minutes.
Meanwhile, Nederland’s offense was heating up. After just three completions in the first half, Broussard’s arm started producing for Nederland. Yet it was a 24-yard run from Nederland’s signal caller that cut PN-G’s lead to just 28-21.
A 38-yard field goal made it a 28-24 Nederland deficit entering the fourth quarter.
Matt Faye is a Sports Reporter and Columnist for the Beaumont Enterprise. Contact him at MFaye@BeaumontEnterprise.com or on Twitter by clicking here.
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