Week 10 La Porte vs Beaumont West Brook Preview

The La Porte Bulldogs (7-2, 3-1) come home this week for the regular season finale against the Beaumont West Brook Bruins (7-2, 3-1).  This is the final tuneup for the Bulldogs for the playoffs that start next week.

La Porte has clinched the #1 seed from 21-5A in the division 2 bracket.  They will play the loser of the 22-5A season finale between South Houston and Pasadena Memorial in round 1 of the playoffs.

This week against the Bruins is for bragging rights and to determine who will be the district runner-up.  It will also provide the chance for La Porte to face an elite high school QB in Senior Bruce Reyes.  This will be a good challenge for La Porte and the spread offenses they will see in the playoffs.

West Brook comes into the game off of a 35-3 home victory over Channelview last week in Beaumont.  Their two losses this season were to Katy and North Shore, state powers.  The Bruins had a similar victory over Port Arthur Memorial 42-15.

On offense Reyes is the key to the Bruins' engine.  He has completed almost 70% of his passes for almost 1500 yards and 14tds.  Reyes missed most of the Katy game and all of the next week's game and still put up very impressive stats.  La Porte will need to put pressure on Reyes and make him uncomfortable.  If he has time to throw he doesn't miss much.  Senior receivers Reggie Begelton and Jacolby Cunigan lead the way as Reyes' favorite targets combining for almost 1000 yards and 11tds.  On the ground the Bruins spread the ball between small backs Junior Percy Johnson (610 yards and 7tds) and Senior Dylan Harvey (543 yards and 11tds).

West Brook's front 7 leads their defense.  Although they have shown some vulnerability against the run game vs some of the better teams they have faced.  La Porte will challenge them to stop the run all night.

On offense the Bulldogs have Seniors QB Jeremy McNeal and RB Anthony Webb peaking at the right time.  Webb turned in his best performance of the season last week against Memorial with almost 200 yards and 4tds on the ground.  McNeal has seen success with the play-action pass and is a lightning bolt carrying the ball. Last week he even got in on some defensive action intercepting a pass for a touchdown.

On defense the La Porte 3-4 turned in a great performance last week against Port Arthur Memorial and will need a similar performance this week.  The secondary has been a strength, this will be a great test, and the best passing team they will see all season.  The linebackers will have to mix up their looks and try to confuse the Bruins o-line.  Pressure on the QB will be the key.  I know West Brook will have a tough time getting yards on the ground against the stout La Porte front 7.

Keys to a Bulldog victory:
-Time of possession should be a big advantage for La Porte and will keep the defense fresh chasing around the passing game of West Brook.  They must keep the West Brook offense off the field as much as possible.
-Defense will need to get pressure and force Reyes into bad decisions, if possible.
-If La Porte wants to work on something for the playoffs I would say throwing a couple of deep balls would be on that list to see if they can open up some quick strikes come playoff time.

I think these teams are relatively even matched, although West Brook carries a higher pedigree into this game.  La Porte should be able to stay with them and if they impose their will they will pull out a close victory.  Penalties and turnovers must be minimized for the Bulldogs.

I'm going out on a limb here and thinking La Porte will face South Houston in round 1 of the playoffs, probably in Deer Park next weekend.  Lets hope we get out of this week injury free and ready for another long playoff run.

If you can't make it out tune in online at http://www.legacysportsnetwork.com/.

Follow along with me at www.twitter.com/lpbulldogblog as I will be updating throughout the game. Those who can't make it especially from Beaumont you can tune in online or follow me on Twitter.

For those coming from Beaumont, the easiest way to get here is I-10 to the Grand Parkway/Hwy 99 exit.  Take a left on Grand Parkway and drive until it dead ends into Business 146 in Baytown.  Take a left at the stop sign and follow that road until you reach the exit for La Porte/146 south. You go over the bridge and take the Fairmont Parkway exit and take a left on Fairmont.  The stadium will be on that road on the left side.  Park on the other side of the gym for the visitor side of the stadium.

Hope to see a good crowd!