Down 23-7 at halftime to Port Neches-Groves with the Indians eager to receive the second-half kickoff Friday in Sheldon, Lake Creek’s playoff future looked decidedly grim with two quarters of football remaining.
However, less than six minutes later the No. 1 ranked Lions found themselves trailing just 23-20 and the Class 5A Division II marquee matchup in the state was back to living up to its hype.
Translation: There was still hope that the Lions could add one more win to their glowing 12-0 record.
That was true until PN-G senior running back Isaiah Nguyen broke free for a 54-yard gain to set up the game-winning score on a 1-yard run by quarterback/wide receiver Shea Adams with 5:08 left in the third quarter.
That touchdown opened a 30-20 lead, and Lake Creek could only score once more in the final 17 minutes as PN-G escaped with a 30-27 victory.
Friday’s offensive output for Lake Creek, which produced 78 points against Crockett the previous week, was in stark contrast to its 54-points per game average.
But when you’re playing a tradition-rich No. 3 ranked team in the state which is fueled by an appearance in the 2022 Class 5A Division II title game, one doesn’t expect an easy go of it.
That’s just the nature of Texas high school football playoff games, particularly in the third round and thereafter.
Lake Creek junior linebacker Davis Lee, who picked up a fumble and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown on the PN-G’s first possession of the second half, was one of many Lion players stung and stunned by the defeat.
“Our confidence had come back, and we were in the game,” Lee said. “Our hearts were in it in the second half. In the first half, we just weren’t on our ‘A’ game. We were ready for anything in the second half. We weren’t ready to go home.”
PN-G made life difficult for Lake Creek quarterback Eli Morcos, who often found himself under intense pressure.
Morcos, though, often had to take escapism to a new level on several plays, turning potentially big losses into big gainers for Lake Creek. However, PN-G’s defense, which bent much of the game, didn’t break in clutch situations.
Indian second-year head coach Jeff Joseph, son of Katy head coach Gary Joseph, has PN-G on track for a second straight title game experience.
“Our kids played with heart and character, and that showed up at the end of the game,” Joseph said.
“I was most proud of our effort. That’s our MO (modus operandi). Despite bad things happening, we kept battling.
“We gave up the scoop-score fumble to start the second half. Lake Creek made some huge plays scrambling. Through all that, we didn’t panic, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Entering the second half, one had the feeling it would take a minor miracle for Lake Creek to win.
Instantly, though, the Lions shifted the momentum.
“In the second half, we did what we needed to do,” Lake Creek head coach Pat Kennedy said. “Then they ran a draw for 60 yards, get the score and you’re fighting back up hill again. Credit to (PN-G).”
Lake Creek, which lost to Fort Bend Marshall, 55-18, at this stage last year, put up a much better fight against a quality opponent this go-round.
“It hurts more this year because it was a close game,” Lee said. “We should have won this game. I’m not sure what happened in the first half. If we had won this game…we were that close.”
The Indians were able to put pressure on Lake Creek’s passing game by holding explosive Lion running back Tyvonn Byars in check. The talented junior gained just 42 yards on 11 carries in the first half and was limited to 5 carries for 9 yards in the final two quarters, well below his 157.3 yards per game average.
Now, PN-G moves on to face Huntsville (8-5) in the Region III-5A Division 2 championship.
Although Joseph’s squad toppled the No. 1 team in the state, it’s unlikely the Indians’ celebration will extend past Sunday.
“I hope our best football is still ahead of us, and I say that sincerely,” he said. “There are still strides we can make, and we’ll work on being a better football team every time we go out to practice.”
As for the Lions, Kennedy had to explain how one loss didn’t tarnish an otherwise stellar season.
“I know this senior class was 10-0 as freshmen and then they had back-to-back 12-1 seasons, so they have nothing to hang their head about,” the Lake Creek boss said. “They have set the tone for a new school.”
