The Bulldogs arrive in round 3 after a 42-6 win over Fort Bend Bush in what was never a competitive game. It was La Porte's 9th consecutive win and most complete performance of the season.
The undefeated Katy Tigers are ranked the number one team in Texas in various polls and had their biggest challenge of the season last week against Cypress Woods in a 44-30 victory. The Tigers are 6 time state champions with their last being in 2008. La Porte faced Katy that season and lost 42-0. The Bulldogs also faced the Tigers in 2009's 3rd round with Katy winning 37-3.
This season the teams have faced common opponents in North Shore and Beaumont West Brook.
La Porte beat North Shore 38-30
Katy beat North Shore 34-6
La Porte beat Beaumont West Brook 38-20
Katy beat Beaumont West Brook 42-7
Katy is as complete a team as there is in the state of Texas. Their Pro-Style Offense is equally able to pass or run and have not been stopped this season. Senior Quarterback and Louisiana-Lafayette commitment Brooks Haack (1900 yards, 30 touchdowns) leads the way and is as composed as they come with only two interceptions thrown on the season. Haack and his leading target Senior Jordan Thompson (60 catches 1106 yards 16 touchdowns) have a really great chemistry together as both players have been starting the last couple of years. Standout running back Adam Taylor was injured early in the season, but the Tigers worked in Freshman Rodney Anderson into the starting role. He has not disappointed as he went over 1000 yards total last week with a 29 carry 215 yard performance against Cy Woods. He has 16 touchdowns on the season. The Tigers also run Junior Ricky Bickham (613 yards, six touchdowns). Also look out for Junior Kyle Fulks who can make explosive plays.
On defense Katy has been dominating all season, only giving up 58 points TOTAL through their first 11 games. Last week Cy Woods hung a 30 on the scoreboard as the Tigers had their first real test of the season. Katy is very stout against the run. Junior Defensive End Matt Dimon is a beast on both sides of the ball as he also plays tight end. Junior Quinn Atwood leads the Tigers with four interceptions. Katy is not a big defense, but they make up for the lack of size with speed and a motor that runs high all the time. They give outstanding effort on every play. Their pass defense has not been tested much and showed some weakness last week.
La Porte's offense has undergone a complete transformation from a young inexperienced group early in the season to a well oiled running machine late in the year. The cohesion between the offensive line and the group of running backs has been clicking since the second half of the North Shore game. The three headed backfield of running backs lead by Junior Keith Whitely (1300 yards, 13 touchdowns) has continued to improve every week with the emergence of Sophomores Jonathan Lewis (614 yards, 6 touchdowns) and dual threat Taejon Wearen (604 total yards rushing and receiving). Senior Quarterback Josh Vidales (625 passing yards, 9 total touchdowns) has shown steady improvement as well. Senior Receiver / Safety Aaron Nance-Garrett has opened eyes to recruiters around the country with his play on both sides of the ball and has shown he can get open at any time. This is a big week for the Bulldogs offensive line lead by Juniors Maurice Morris and Tony Briones. The offense will go as far as the line takes them this week against the stout Tigers front 7.
The Dark Side defense showed what they are capable of last week against Bush. La Porte completely shut down the Broncos and were in their heads early with penetration and pressure on their young QB. There is not a weak link on this defense and they will have their work cut out for them this week. La Porte must keep high pressure on the Katy line and live in the backfield all night Saturday. Senior Linebackers Chad Sutherland, Cameron Whilley and Chris Hickey have been all over the field all season and will be looking to make big plays again this week. Sophomore Linebacker Hoza Scott has scored four defensive touchdowns this season and will need to shine again against the Tigers. The defensive line and secondary have been solid and Juniors Corey Lee and Alex Jones have the size and power to make things happen up front. The hard hitting Junior cornerback combination of Malik Graves and Ellis Hutchinson will have to step up and provide the coverage for the pass rush to get to Haack. Safeties Nance-Garrett and Sophomore Vic Holmes must help control the middle of the field.
Keys to La Porte Victory This Week:
-Slow down the Katy run game and force them to pass. Haack can put the ball in the air, but the Bulldogs have a better chance if they make Katy one-dimensional and get the pass rush in the backfield to cause havoc.
-The offensive line must control the line of scrimmage. This unit is shaping up to be one of the best around with mostly underclassmen. The Bulldogs must get physical and win this part of the game on both sides of the ball.
-Force turnovers and create short fields. It has been a key for La Porte all year and Katy does not make many mistakes, but when they do the Bulldogs must capitalize!
Should be a standing room only crowd next week at Tully Stadium in Spring Branch. The game will be Saturday 11/26 at 6pm. La Porte will be on the visitor side. Get there early and lets go Bulldogs! You can do this!
Tully Stadium
| 1050 Dairy Ashford Street Houston, TX 77079 |
katy has a wall with chris' stats and everything hoping to get a pic in the next day or so
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean a wall with his stats? Sounds crazy.
ReplyDeletetickets available
ReplyDeleteWill there be tickets at the gate?
ReplyDeleteYes there will be
ReplyDeleteI wasn't there but glad you boys beat Katy... Now bring home state yall deserve it
ReplyDelete