Port Neches–Groves High School

Port Neches-Groves High School
Address
1401 Merriman Port Neches , Texas United States
Information
Type	Public
Established	1925
School district	Port Neches-Groves ISD
Superintendent	Dr. Lani Randall
Principal	Marc Keith
Enrollment	1510
Color(s)	Purple and white
Mascot	Indian
Information	409.729.7644
Website	PN-GHS Home Page

Port Neches-Groves High School (PNG) is located in Port Neches, Texas. The high school is the only high school in the Port Neches-Groves Independent School District and serves portions of Port Neches, Groves, and Port Arthur. Built in 1925, the high school was considered to be the first modern school building erected in Jefferson County. The mascot is an Indian. School colors are purple and white.

History

Much of this area is in a Mexican Land Grant of 4,428 acres (18 km²) that was acquired by Thomas F. McKinney in April 1831, the first land grant in Jefferson County. Joseph Grigsby received a land grant on November 6, 1834, that included much of the city of Groves.

Port Neches-Groves High School has traditionally been recognized as a strong academic school. The school received the Texas Education Agency's Elemplary Rating in 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002.

Academics and Clubs

PN-G has had outstanding academic performance for years, being one of the best performing schools in the Golden Triangle area. The school generally does well at academic competitions such as UIL (District 20-4A) and TMSCA math and science. In April 2009, the PN-G UIL Academics Team won its 9th consecutive District Title.

The school offers a number of student clubs and elective classes. Examples include: First Priority, National Honor Society, Future Teachers of America, Key Club, Earth Club, BCIS, Computer Science, Communication Graphics, Art, Debate, Home Economics, Apparel, Interior Design, Spanish, French, Welding & Air Conditioning, Criminal Justice, HOSA, Cosmetology, Choir & Indian Singers, the Purple Pride Indian Band and Twirlers, Theatre/Theatre Tech, Indian Players, Thespian Troupe #5243, Cheerleaders, and Indianettes (Drill Team). Andy Bishop WILL ROXS YOUR SOXS

School Spirit

PN-G fan support and school spirit are recognized statewide. PN-G fans are well-known for their pre-game parties and support of the school. Regardless of how far they have to travel, the overwhelming attendance of PN-G fans at each football game is one of the unique aspects of the PN-G football atmosphere. The communities of Port Neches and Groves and school alumni from across the state and nation recognize and support the efforts of the students and faculty.

Large crowds have become synonymous with PN-G games. During the high school football playoffs, it's common to see crowds of 30,000 to 40,000 dedicated Indian fans at a game. Record attendances include the all-time Texas high school record and national high school record of 49,953 at Texas Stadium for the 1977 State Championship game against the Plano Wildcats as well as several attendance records at the Houston Astrodome during the 1973-1977 playoff games (1974-1978 Senior Class years; during which PN-G won the Class 4A Texas State Championship - the highest class at the time - at Texas Stadium in December 1975, beating the Odessa-Permian Wildcats 20-10).

The Indians also hold the top high school attendance records for the Houston Astrodome. The 1999 4A State Championship game drew a crowd of 39,000, 34,000 of which were PN-G fans, filling half of the "Dome." The remaining top five crowds in the "Dome" for PN-G games are 38,570, 35,439, 33,836, and 33,000.

Generations of PN-G graduates faithfully pack Indian Stadium, located on the PN-GHS grounds that are affectionately known as "the Reservation," to watch the new generation learn and promote the school's purple-and-white, Indian pride.

The following poem poetically affirms the supernatural spirit and real commitment of all players, students, faculty, and alumni have for the football team:

"Indian Spirits"

Even Chief Red Cloud was very proud, when his spirit came back down, and mingled with us, on the reservation…

It may be tough to conceive, when we ask you to believe, we called all the spirits we knew, to come back and help, from Indian heaven, It’s true I’m here to say; I tell you this day, for I was there, calling a spirit or two, to help in the big show at the reservation …

We started fires, and banged on drums, as coronets tickled the heavens, when the spirits we contrived, seem to come alive, at least for those who were there, and acutely aware, of the modern pride, of the Cherokee Nation…

The raptors were flying free, as the wolf-pack was gnashing, and the Cave-Bear Klan was sent in to clear the air, as the Moose was let loose, and up the sidelines he flew, leaving a wake of opponents who never knew, If you come to the reservation, prepare for degradation, the PNG Indians got something to prove…

As our infamy grew, the crowds did too, In a purple and white color destination, Smallest in a class, and meanest in the State, The PNG Indians’ have come to town! We won’t mess around, making you feel like a clown, Because we still have something to prove…

It’s tough to be bold, and live to a higher code, people still remember being there, and the code we share, Never quit or give in, till the bitter end, and then declare, I gave my all to the reservation, saying with no hesitation, Port Neches-Groves Indian for life, I say with some jubilation,

I was there!!! As Indian spirits helped PN-G become the pride of the whole Cherokee Nation…

Texas Football, Howard Kern; All-State, OL; 1977 (Cave-Bear Klan)

Alma Mater and Fight Song

School Song:

Port Neches-Groves High School, High School so dear, Teachers and comrades Change from year to year.

We are always pulling, As you all know, For PN-G High School We love just so.

And when the year is over, God bless our school. We've done our best to Mind the Golden Rule.

Never shall we falter, Nor let our spirits die. Rah, Fellows, Rah! Rah! Rah! For Indian High.

Fight Song (Cherokee):

Cherokee has become synonymous with PN-G tradition. In the words of one spirited fan, "Football at PN-G just isn't football without Cherokee." Cherokee was arranged by a former PN-G band director, Frank Gioviale, and had its origin as a half-time performance for an out-of-town football game. This first half-time performance featured Cherokee with the drum major in the long headdress that reached down to the waist and the twirlers in headdresses that reached down to their shoulders. It was such a huge success they used it all during the year, and it eventually became the fight song.

Lynne Jeffrey, drum major and valedictorian of the senior class of 1960, wrote the Indian fight song lyrics. Once she received her teaching degree, Lynne Jeffrey James returned to PN-G as an English teacher. During her career, she also served as Indianette director. Mrs. James retired as principal of Port Neches Middle School in 2006.

Cherokee Lyrics are as follows:

Always be faithful... To purple and white... Cheer on with s-p-i-r-i-t... Our team will f-i-g-h-t...

Here come the I-n-d-i-a-n-s... Down the trails of v-i-c-t-o-r-y... Winning our conquest for PN-G!

(YELL) I-N-D-I-A-N-S scalp 'em Indians scalp 'em!

(YELL) I-N-D-I-A-N-S scalp 'em Indians scalp 'em!

To listen to the melody as played by the Port Neches-Groves Purple Pride Indian Band, click: http://pngindians.com/multimedia/cherokee.mp3

Other Indian Traditions

The Indian Spirit (School Mascot)

The Indian Spirit proudly dances to Cherokee in a style that has evolved over the years. The Indian Spirit tradition began in 1961 with Jamie Rohe as the first Indian Spirit. As a Scout who belonged to a semi-professional Indian dance team, Jamie was asked to dance at football games during his junior year which he did for two years. At the end of his senior year, the school decided to hold a contest to see who would be the next Indian Spirit.

Perhaps one of the most distinctive sights in high school sports, the Indian Spirit has graced the field at PN-G football games with traditional dance techniques since 1961. Each year, PN-G students compete for the honor of carrying on this proud tradition of being the spirit leader.

Marching "I"

"Bonsoir, mes amies. Laissez les bon temps roulet!" - "Welcome, friends. Let the good times roll." This French phrase is spoken over the PA system at halftime of every football game to announce the PN-G band's performance of the Marching "I," as spoken by 1951 graduate and longtime PA Announcer, junior high history teacher, and local radio personality "Tip" Durham. At the end of every halftime performance, the band, Indianettes, twirlers, and Indian Spirit form into an "I" formation and the band strikes up Cherokee as the formation marches down the football field from the 50-yard line to the right end of the field from the PN-G crowd's perspective. Former band director Frank Gioviale created the Marching "I." In Down the Trails of Victory, written by Jon Buck Ford, Ed.D., Frank Gioviale says this about his Marching "I" creation, "Lo and behold, I didn't know it was gonna be taken like that. The people just stood up and went wild, and started hollering and everything." After that, the Marching "I" became one of the school's best known traditions.

Team Name & Record

The choice of "Indians" as the PN-G school nickname in 1925 was probably influenced by the area's rich local history. Port Neches was once the home of the only Indian village in Jefferson County, Texas. As early as 500 AD, Nacazil, Attakapas, Karankawa and other Indian tribes made their homes on a high bluff overlooking the Neches River that later became the city of Port Neches. In 1980, amid controversy over the use of the team name, Port Neches-Groves High School was presented with the official seal of the Cherokee Nation, guaranteeing PN-G's students the right to be called "Indians."

1975 - Football team ranked #3 in the US

1953, 1955, 1975 - Texas State Football Champions

1954, 1977, 1999 - Texas State Football Finalist

Since 1925, the Indians of Port Neches and Groves have had a strong presence on the Texas high school football scene. In the 84 years of PN-G football, the Indians have compiled a 517-312-33 record*, won 22 district championships, 13 regional championships, appeared in 6 state championship games and won 3 state championships. Only 60 schools have achieved 500 wins in Texas high school football history, and PN-G is one of them. PN-G is among the top 10 percent of winning programs in all state classifications based on records kept by football historian Joe Lee Smith and ranks in the top 2 percent in playoff success. The football team's continued success is only one of the examples of the school's "Tradition of Excellence."

Rivalry with Nederland

Call it the longest continuous high school football rivalry in Southeast Texas, or Mid-County Madness, or Braggin' Rights, or the Mid-County football championship of the world. Since 1925 the Indians and Bulldogs have battled for the bragging rights of the area nestled between Beaumont and Port Arthur known as Mid-Jefferson County or "Mid County." During game week, football in the small towns of Port Neches, Groves, and Nederland, Texas is backed with a level of enthusiasm that matches any area in the state.

Nothing quite compares to the matchup of these friendly but highly competitive next-door neighbors—Nederland and Port Neches-Groves.

It's a matchup that enters the minds, hearts and tongues of refinery and factory workers year-round. It never truly vanishes from the thought processes of the area's football mind much the same way that Army-Navy, Texas-Texas A&M, USC-UCLA, and Harvard-Yale consumes the subconscious of college football followers.

By winning 15 consecutive games—1969 through 1983—the Indians have established a firm lead in winning percentage (0.55 to Nederland's 0.36) in the Mid-County series. Counting a couple of ties before that 15-game win streak, the Indians actually went 19 straight years without being defeated by the Bulldogs. While Nederland has struggled to produce a streak anywhere close in longevity to the stretch of Port Neches-Groves during the 1970s & 80s, the Bulldogs have had the upper hand in the past decade and a half, having won 11 of the past 16 years, though never more than three in a row. Nederland's longest "Mid-County Madness" win streak extended four straight years, with the last of those four occurring in the Bulldogs' memorable 1957 state AAA championship year under head coach Emmett McKenzie.

Big Purple vs. Big Ned. Indians vs. Bulldogs. Purple and white against black and gold. 15,000 fans jam packed into the 13,000 seat Indian Stadium, located on the high school grounds that have been affectionately dubbed "The Reservation." College game atmosphere. "Mid-County Madness." All that and more describes the 82 year rivalry between the Port Neches-Groves Indians and Nederland Bulldogs.

Notable alumni

• Lew Ford, Major League Baseball player
• L. Q. Jones
• Dustin Long — football player
• Ben Weber — baseball player
• Mary Karr — Author, Poet
• Wade Phillips — Head Coach, Dallas Cowboys
• Greg Davis — Offensive Coordinator, University of Texas
• Robert Giblin - Former NFL player, New York Giants and St. Louis Cardinals
• Mike Simpson - Former NFL player, San Francisco 49ers
• Kathleen Y’Barbo - Author & publicist

References

Jamie Perrault

External links

• Official Web Page
• Port Neches-Groves ISD
• Port Neches-Groves Sports

See also

• List of sports team names and mascots derived from Indigenous peoples
• Native American mascot controversy