Dayton celebrated its seniors Friday night while also having to conclude the season with the defending state champions in town.
No. 9 Port Neches-Groves took the game with the Broncos, 30-3, and established themselves as the outright District 8-5A Division II champions in the process after Nederland lost at Montgomery in overtime.
The Indians (9-1, 6-1), last year’s state champion over South Oak Cliff, starts its 12 straight playoff appearance next week while the Broncos (4-6, 2-5) end the year winners of two of their final games while dealing with a plethora of injuries virtually all season.
The Broncos got their lone points in the third quarter with nine minutes left as Mark Arellano booted a 28-yard field goal. The field goal was preceded with a big gain of 50 yards on a swing pass from Easton Brock to Jaleel Kendrick.
Brock started at quarterback for the second straight week and became the fifth starter of the year at the position when the Broncos beat West Fork last week.
Dayton head coach Jerry Prieto concluded his first year as head coach along with his staff by paying tribute to the nearly 25 seniors who suited up this season.
Dayton turned a four-game losing streak to start district play around with wins over Splendora two weeks ago and West Fork last Thursday.
PNG has now defeated Dayton seven consecutive seasons.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Statistics will be added to this story when they become available.
Dayton senior Andrew Soliz hugs teammate Easton Brock (12) after the game against Port Neches-Groves on Nov. 8, 2024. (Chris Zorzi/SportCast Media)
