The La Porte Bulldogs 2011 season came to an end last Saturday in Reliant Stadium at the hands of the Port Arthur Memorial Titans 34-6.
The Bulldogs came into this week's game after an emotional high last week finally beating the Katy Tigers. This week it was the Titans getting their revenge on La Porte after the Bulldogs had won the last 5 meetings. Port Arthur came into this game with a chip on their shoulder and a senior laden squad with their eyes on the big prize.
The first half was a closely contested defensive struggle. Port Arthur won the toss and elected to receive. Two plays and two big La Porte stops on first and second down. However Senior Titan Quarterback Terrence Singleton would open it up on 3rd down with a deep pinpoint pass to Senior Receiver Jhajuan Seales to the La Porte 20 and two plays later Senior Running Back Nate Holmes would take a inside hand-off and score from 20 yards out for a 7-0 Port Arthur lead.
A three and out for La Porte and Port Arthur would get the next drive started inside La Porte territory. However the La Porte defense would clamp down as they did all season and get a big stop. This would begin a defensive battle for the rest of the half.
La Porte would get something going on offense with Junior First Team All District Kicker Eric Medina booting two field goals after a couple sustained drives. The first was a 46 yarder to make the score 7-3 Port Arthur with 42 seconds left in the first quarter. A 25 yard pass from Senior Quarterback Josh Vidales to Sophomore Tight End Trevor Nelson set up the 46 yard attempt and conversion.
The second field goal was a 34 yard strike by Medina. It came on a drive that started at the La Porte 37 yard line. A few runs by Junior Running Back Keith Whitely and Sophomore Running Back Jonathan Lewis as well as a pass from Vidales to Senior Tight End Blake Turlington set up the attempt and conversion. It was Port Arthur Memorial with the 7-6 lead with 5:25 left in the half. It appeared the momentum was shifting towards the Bulldogs.
However that would be it for the La Porte scoring and Port Arthur Memorial would answer with a field goal of their own from Sophomore Kicker Ricardo Estupian. A 39 yard field goal to be exact and the game would go to the half with Port Arthur leading La Porte 10-6.
The Bulldogs held it together in the first half and looked as if they could make a charge, but all momentum went out the window in the first possession of the second half. A fumble on the second play from scrimmage recovered by the Titans seemed to suck the life out of the Bulldogs offense.
The Dark Side defense shut down the Titans after the fumble, but the offense could not recover. Another three and out and the Titans took over at their own 22 yard line. The flood gates would open and this was the beginning of the end. Seales took a wide receiver screen, juked a couple defenders and there was nothing but daylight in front of him. Port Arthur would take a 17-6 lead with seven minutes left in the 3rd quarter.
La Porte took over, but again the Titans defense would swarm to the ball causing another three and out. The defense lost control giving Port Arthur 30 yards on personal foul penalties and Singleton made them pay again with a electrifying 20 yard touchdown run to make the score 24-6 Titans with 3:19 left in the 3rd.
The Titans were not done. After yet another three and out there was another run by Singleton, a 34 yard scamper, would put the nail in the coffin and give Port Arthur Memorial a 31-6 lead with 46 seconds left in the 3rd quarter. It was a disastrous turn of events and without a passing game it was an impossible deficit. La Porte's offense had no first downs in the quarter.
Port Arthur would add a field goal in the 4th quarter to make it a final 34-6. La Porte Sophomore Running Back Taejon Wearen had a couple big runs in the 4th, but it was too little too late for the Bulldogs.
We came into the game knowing the Titans were bigger and faster than the Bulldogs, but La Porte had always beaten them in all other areas of the game the previous five meetings. This time Port Arthur had all the answers and will move on to the state semifinals.
There is plenty coming back and to look forward to for La Porte as Coach LaReau is building a great program here in La Porte that is getting better every year. La Porte is very proud of this team and their resolve throughout the year. The Bulldogs will be back next year bigger and better!
