Lance Johnson is a 1990 graduate of La Porte High School. He's a big time LP football fanatic and these are his thoughts and opinions two games into the season. I hope to have Lance back each week (or as much as possible) to give his thoughts.
Follow him on Twitter @LPdogLJhookem as he provides some in game analysis.
Follow him on Twitter @LPdogLJhookem as he provides some in game analysis.
1. Let me introduce #12 QB – Jordan Jackson. This 6’3” Junior, by the time he leaves LPHS, could be one of top passers in the last 20 years for La Porte. Jackson more than just threw the ball well. He managed the game like a longtime starter and kept the Bulldog offense running smoothly. He showed great poise and good accuracy on deep and intermediate passes. He also knew when to get rid of the ball and also when to throw the ball away when nothing was there. Through 2 games the only thing I need to see from Jordan is improvement on the fade where he has to show more touch. Make no mistake, the future is bright for La Porte at the QB position.
2. Very happy to see the Offensive scheme go back to the Wing-T we saw last year. I just don’t think this team’s personnel is made for the Flex-Bone. It can still part of the package as it was vs SoHo, but the overall offense we saw was much more crisp and executed much better. Coach Taylor has always seemed to be a coach that isn’t hard-headed and will make adjustments during the game and during the year.
3. Great adjustment by the entire staff on letting #21 SR-RB/DB Keith Whitely settle in on offense and take him off the defense. He can be used on Defense when the opportunity calls for it, but the LP Offense needs a fresh and healthy Whitely to achieve its long term goals. Whitely had only 3 carries but averaged a little over 20 yards a carry.
4. With Whitely being taken off Defense, we saw 2 more changes as a result. #22 SR-DB Malik Graves moved to Safety alongside #1 JR-DB/QB Victor Holmes. Malik made the transition pretty easily and by moving Malik to Safety, LP inserted #5 JR-CB John Nelson at the CB spot vacated by Malik. Malik didn’t take long making an impact at Safety as he intercepted SoHo’s first pass in the 1st qtr. This setup a quick 7-yard rocket-motion sweep TD run from #24 Soph-RB Britt Grant.
5. It was good to see #47 JR-LB/TE Trevor Nelson and #32 SR-LB Trevor Mouton on the field together at the ILB spots in LP’s 3-4 Defense. Both players will need to stay healthy this year as both are very solid ILB’s. Both Nelson & Mouton play a very technically sound LB and rarely are caught in the wrong position.
6. #23 JR-RB – Johnathan Lewis had a game he’ll probably remember for a long time. The Junior RB had 4 TD’s on the night (1 passing – 3 on the ground). Lewis is a back for LP that has the “house” potential every time he touches it. Great speed and great hands also make him a threat out of the backfield. Lewis finished the night as the leading rusher with 14 carries for 171 yards.
7. I thought the OL vs. Clear Brook seemed lethargic and a little out of shape. I don’t think anyone including players and coaches will disagree that the OL play wasn’t near what it needs or could be. With that said, I thought the OL played great vs. SoHo and a few players stood out to me. #61 JR-OT/OG Michael Leagan, #55 SR-C Justin King, and #56 SR-OT Joey Garcia. All 3 of these guys played at a high level and the coaches actually moved Joey Garcia over to L-OG next to L-OT Michael Leagan. #74 JR-OL Ian Small filled in nicely at the other OT and #70 SR-OL Jared Howard filled in well at the R-OG spot. This OL will continue to be tweaked as LP's three year starter Maurice Morris returns.
8. Really nice to see the emergence of #89 JR-TE Michael Rodriguez. Rodriguez is big target standing about 6’5” and his emergence also helps keep Trevor Nelson on Defense. Rodriguez had a fantastic one-handed grab in the game for 15 yards as well as a TD catch for 17 yards. La Porte uses the TE very effectively in their passing game and I think Michael Rodriguez is only scratching the surface on what he is capable. I look forward to seeing how he develops this year.
9. It was also nice to see #1 JR-QB/RB/DB Victor Holmes get a carry out of the RB spot. Vick took a sweep out of the flex-bone late in the game for 78 yard TD. Vick is one of the elite Safeties in the Houston area and I’d expect to hear more and more about his play this year.
10. I think #25 JR-RB/DB Clifton “BUNK” Figaro has proved in the little times he’s gotten, that he is deserving of more carries. Besides SR Keith Whitely, “BUNK” seems to run with the most physicality of the RB’s. Bunk is simply a kid that doesn’t mind contact on either side of the ball and I believe his effort thus far deserves more attempts with the ball in his hands. Just keep an eye out for #25.
BONUS: Lastly, I’ve heard good things that we will see the return of #20 JR-OLB/RB Hoza Scott vs. Clear Springs but nothing is for certain. That will definitely help as Clear Springs has one of the better QB’s in the Houston area and the State of Texas in Zach Cripps. Cripps plays in the spread and really throws the ball well. This is a game that will feature 2 really nice looking QB prospects in Jackson for La Porte & Cripps for Clear Springs.
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