From staff reports

HOUSTON – Port Neches-Groves running back duo of Blair Chatagnier and Isaiah Ngyuen was too much for Liberty Hill.

The duo combined for 237 yards and three touchdowns to give the Indians a 42-35 win over the Panthers in Friday’s Class 5A-II state semifinal at Cy-Fair’s FCU Stadium.

In a rematch from 2022’s semifinal, PNG (14-1) jumped out to a 14-7 lead in the first quarter. Liberty Hill (10-5) tied the game with five minutes left in the first half when senior Ben Carter broke for an 80-yard touchdown run. However, the Indians added a late touchdown to take a 21-14 lead into the locker room.

PNG extended the lead to 14 on its first possession of the second half and then to 21 points midway through the third quarter on a couple of touchdown passes.

The Panthers put together a comeback attempt late in the third quarter on a touchdown run by senior Noah Long to pull Liberty Hill to within 14 heading into the fourth quarter.

With under a minute left to play, Joe Pitchford completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jack Pitchford to pull the Panthers to within seven. However, PNG recovered the onside attempt to secure the win and return to the state championship game.