KFDM COOP Posted October 29, 2008 Report Posted October 29, 2008 Harrison adds defensive chore to bolster PN-G By Tom Halliburton The Port Arthur News PORT NECHES -- When the Indians departed their new carpet after an overtime loss last Friday night, Dillon Harrison's emotions vented all over The Reservation. The 17-year-old Groves native stood outside the coaches' office, still dressed in his purple uniform, and quite stressed about a 17-10 heartbreaking loss to Lumberton. Tears flowed from Harrison's eyes late Friday night, not only because Port Neches-Groves lost the game, but also because Darren and Candy's senior two-way lineman had thought his career would end in the playoffs. It had proven to be a most difficult night for Harrison and fellow senior Ryan McLin for a very special reason. Harrison and McLin were attempting to fill injured Aaron Shetley's former spot at defensive right end. If one does not understand the special nature of that duty, one only needs to recall that Lumberton kept running persistently to the left side behind extra-large left tackle Hunter Howden. Lumberton would pitch the ball to tailback Jacob Hanna or Anthony Beard and head behind Howden, even if the left side would be the short side of the field. The Raiders jabbed and jabbed and jabbed to the left, knowing they could gouge out good yards. McLin and Harrison already were on the field as Indians' offensive line starters. They doubled their workload and then some because Lumberton's offense stayed on the field for 35 minutes. "It really tore me up because it was our last chance at the playoffs," Harrison explained. "I've cried after nearly every loss. It's tough to take any loss." As with other close calls this season, the Indians played hard, almost triumphed and missed that trail of victory by maybe a play or two. PN-G's coaches easily could omit one or two plays from games and would think differently about their season. Ozen likely will head toward Harrison on Friday night when the teams will meet in Beaumont's Alex Durley Stadium (West Brook) at 7:30 p.m. Win or lose, the challenge of standing up to Lumberton's pounding in Harrison's direction really tested the character, the strength, the stamina of this 6-2, 240-pounder. "It was tough but you just had to push through it and dig deep," Harrison recalled. "I was told I did a good job by (defensive ends) coach (Terry) Cobb, and I felt I did pretty good for the first time out there. Really I felt we did good on both sides of the ball." An A-B student with a 3.2 grade-point average, Harrison said he planned to go to college and become an electrical engineer. He said he would love to play college football because he loves the sport. Harrison has added about 20 pounds from last year and has improved his offensive line footwork. "I feel that I've made a big improvement," he said. "I've had a good season on offense. It starts with the experience from last year. "I really like getting to pull because it gives a lineman a better chance to hit somebody and light someone up. It feels like you're getting a clean hit on them." While his pass blocking does not come as naturally, Dillon has improved in that area. McLin and Harrison's added duty of playing defensive end against Lumberton drew the praise of defensive coordinator Carl Broussard. When the Indians coaches examined the video, they wondered if that tandem should have occupied the position all year. "Dillon played well," Broussard said. "He batted down a pass. And he didn't get blown down like some did." Indians chief Matt Burnett lamented the dependable performance level which Harrison was going to contribute day after day. "Dillon has been a good leader," Burnett said. "He's very dependable in that you know what he's going to give you everything that he's got in every practice and every game." Indian Inklings: A second PN-G senior announced a verbal pledge on Tuesday to accept a football scholarship at Lamar University. Two-way lineman Ryan McLin is delighted to join QB Harrison Tatum on the Big Red pledge list. "Ryan's a guy going over there with a real bright upside," Indians chief Matt Burnett said. "He's been a good offensive player but we've also found that he can play defense.".... Senior Shea McElduff will start but junior Dre Dunbar will continue to see more playing time this week after delivering a solid performance at right cornerback when his opportunity arrived against Lumberton.... Leading tacklers vs. Lumberton were soph Taylor Thompson (7 and 7), junior Dre Dunbar (6 and 6), senior Ryan McLin (7 and 3), senior Jacob Lynch (6 and 3).... LB Christian Kerr heads the season tackle chart with 43 first contacts and 37 assists followed by senior CB Tyler Gizzi with 40 and 19....
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