If you follow Texas high school football, you already know that Port Neches-Groves (PN-G) isn't just a school. It is a culture. Coming off that massive 2023 state title, everyone was staring at the png football schedule 2024 to see if the Indians could actually repeat the magic. It's tough. Being the hunted is way different than being the hunter.
The 2024 season was a wild ride that felt like a movie, right up until the credits rolled in a way nobody in Mid-County really wanted.
The Grind of the 2024 Regular Season
The season kicked off with PN-G looking like they hadn't missed a beat. They traveled to Klein Oak on August 29 and basically made a statement. A 45-20 win on the road? Yeah, that'll get people talking. The offense was humming early. They followed that up by absolutely dismantling Beaumont United 45-7. Honestly, the first month of the season felt like a victory lap for the defending champs.
By the time they hit district play in 5A-2 Region II, the target on their backs was massive. They handled Lake Creek and Huntsville—teams that usually give people fits—with a level of poise you only see in programs led by guys like Jeff Joseph.
Then came October 24. The Mid-County Madness.
You can't talk about the png football schedule 2024 without talking about the Nederland game. It’s the kind of rivalry that shuts down towns. PN-G walked into that game with an undefeated record and left with a 49-17 win that felt like they were invincible. Little did anyone know, the playoff road was going to be a lot more "edge of your seat" than the regular season.
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2024 Regular Season Breakdown
- Aug 29: vs Klein Oak (W 45-20)
- Sep 05: vs Beaumont United (W 45-7)
- Sep 12: @ La Porte (W 35-21)
- Sep 26: @ Lake Creek (W 45-21)
- Oct 03: vs Huntsville (W 39-29)
- Oct 10: @ Splendora (W 48-6)
- Oct 17: vs West Fork (W 39-7)
- Oct 24: @ Nederland (W 49-17)
- Oct 31: @ Montgomery (W 46-38)
- Nov 07: vs Dayton (W 49-7)
That's a 10-0 regular season. Dominance. Pure and simple.
Why the 2024 Playoff Run Felt Different
The playoffs started with the usual PN-G fireworks. They smoked Nacogdoches 48-7 in the Bi-District round. Then they put up a massive 63 points against Ennis in the Area round. Everything looked like it was heading toward another state championship appearance.
But the Regional Semifinal against Midlothian Heritage was a reality check. It was a gritty, ugly 17-14 win. It wasn't the high-flying offense we saw in September. It was a "find a way to win" type of game. Connor Bailey and the offense had to work for every single yard.
Then came the game everyone had circled since the previous December: the rematch with South Oak Cliff (SOC).
The South Oak Cliff Rematch: What Went Wrong?
Most people thought the png football schedule 2024 would end in Arlington at Jerry World. Instead, it ended on December 6 at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches.
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This was the rubber match. PN-G and SOC had split the last two state championship games. This time, they met in the Regional Final (the Quarterfinals). It was supposed to be a classic. It... wasn't.
South Oak Cliff came out like they were shot out of a cannon. They scored 19 seconds into the game. Then they picked off a pass and scored again. Before PN-G fans could even get settled into their seats, it was 14-0. The Indians fought back, getting a 3-yard touchdown from Mason Wuenschel and another from Tyson Henry, but SOC was relentless.
The final score was 56-14.
It was a tough pill to swallow for a team that had won 13 straight games. SOC’s defense held PN-G to just 193 total yards. It’s rare to see a Jeff Joseph-coached team get outplayed like that, but SOC was a different beast that night.
Key Players Who Defined the Year
Even though it didn't end with a ring, the 2024 squad was loaded. You had Jackson Christian (the 6'5" tackle) anchoring an offensive line that was probably the best in the region. Aaron Wolford was right there with him. These guys paved the way for a run-heavy attack that wore teams down for three and a half months.
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Mason Wuenschel was all over the place. One play he’s at linebacker making a tackle in the flat, the next he’s coming in on offense to punch in a touchdown. That’s the kind of versatility that makes PN-G "PN-G."
Actionable Insights for Fans and Recruits
If you’re looking back at the png football schedule 2024 to understand the state of the program, here is the bottom line.
First, the "rebuild" after the 2023 title was a myth. They reloaded. Winning 13 games in a row in Texas 5A football is an incredible feat, regardless of how the last game went.
Second, the Mid-County dominance is real. Beating Nederland by 32 points shows the gap that existed in the district this year.
For those looking toward 2025, keep an eye on the trenches. With guys like Wolford returning and the coaching stability under Joseph, PN-G isn't going anywhere. They’ll be right back in the mix.
To stay ahead of next season, make sure you're following the official UIL brackets early in November. The path to the title often goes through Dallas or the Golden Triangle, and PN-G has proven they can compete with anyone in the state. Study the way they handled the 2024 Montgomery game—a 46-38 shootout—to see how this team adapts to different styles of play.
The 2024 season wasn't a failure. It was a 13-1 masterclass that ran into a motivated powerhouse.