Better late than never right?
I attended the La Porte Orange and White spring game a few weeks ago and have a few thoughts.
Projected starting QB Josh Vidales was out due to just coming off baseball season. Starting RB Keith Whitely was out due to injury and should be ready for practice come August.
I will start with the defense as this is where the team will start this next season. This will be one of the top defenses in Houston if not the state. Everyone was split up between the two sides with the White Team anchored by Senior Aaron Garrett (Safety), Sophomore Hoza Scott (OLB) and Junior Corey Lee (DL). The Orange Team was lead by Senior linebackers Chad Sutherland, Cameron Whilley, Tyrone Graves and Chris Hickey. Overall the first team defenses let up under 5 total first downs between the two of them. The D will be what carries the Bulldogs next season and there will be quite a few D1 recruits out of this group. Aaron Garrett laid a few big hits out there and Hoza Scott looks like a monster coming off the edge.
The first team offenses struggled to get off the ground with young and inexperienced players trying to gain their footing against a fast and experienced group of defenders. Lots of fumbles and interceptions ruled the day. First team QB's were Vic Holmes and Devan Gay. Holmes looked quick on the few plays he could move around, but needs some work on the passing part of his game. Gay seemed to click well with receiver Jahvey Mark for 3-4 good passes.
The o-line looked like a group in transition with many players going off to college out of the 320lb per player average of a year ago. Tony Briones and Maurice Morris will be key to the Bulldogs being able to keep the clock moving in the ground game.
The group of running backs showed a lot of spark as they always do in La Porte. Hoza Scott saw a few good carries. Alden Regis showed the ability to take on and run over defenders in the secondary. Clifton Figaro had a nice 70 yard TD run. Traejon Wearen showed some good running skills. However Junior RB DJ Bell took over the last half of the scrimmage. In my notes I have him down for three 15 yard runs, a 30 yard TD run called back by penalty and a 25 yard scamper. He is a relatively unkown player, but showed great speed hitting the edge numerous times.
Overall, lots of work to do on the offensive side of the ball. The defense is going to be a great one.
Some posts in the coming weeks I will be getting to:
1.Off season scuttlebutt. Dave Campbell's Texas Football Magazine came out the other day and I am the proud owner of a copy. Nice high school preview included.
2. Last season's Bulldogs are popping up all over rosters around the south and midwest. I will have a recap on who is where going into next college season.
3. Eventually a season preview, hopefully I can get with the coaches and get a small blurb about each player for the upcoming season. I know the Bayshore Sun is no longer around, but maybe we can get something going with the Bay Area Observer. Will let you know.
I know I'm way late with this recap, but if anyone has any comments about the spring game/ La Porte Football please let me know in the comments section or email me lpbulldogblog@yahoo.com !!!
