Tuesday, October 2, 2012

La Porte at Beaumont West Brook Preview

This Saturday at 6pm the La Porte Bulldogs will face the Beaumont West Brook Bruins at the Carrol A. "Butch" Thomas Educational Support Center in Beaumont.

La Porte enters week two of district play with a 4-1 record and 1-0 in district after a 42-21 victory over Baytown Sterling last week.  The Bulldogs have defeated the Bruins two years in a row including last season's 38-20 victory in Week 10.

Beaumont West Brook is coming off their bye week with a 2-2 record.  Two weeks ago the Bruins beat Houston Chavez 49-0.  This week will be West Brook's first district 21-5A game of the season.  The Bruins changed coaches in the offseason with Kevin Flanigan taking over.

The Bruins play a up-tempo offense and are lead by Senior Quarterback Chris Clack (478 yards passing, 3 touchdowns) who did get some playing time last season against La Porte. Senior Receiver Ladarious Spearman (18 catches, 300 yards) is a highly recruited player and West Brook's top playmaker.  The Bruins have mixed the run and pass evenly over the first four games with Junior Running Back Justin Hervey (369 yards, 6 touchdowns) leading the way on the ground.

La Porte's offense has put together good performances two weeks in a row. Senior Running Back Keith Whitely (589 yards, 4 touchdowns) has really turned it up the last two weeks with 308 yards in those games.  Junior Quarterback Jordan Jackson (497 yards, 8 touchdowns) has improved greatly over the last two games including a 11 for 15 166 yard, 2 touchdown effort against Baytown Sterling.  Senior Jahvey Mark (9 catches 148 yards) is the Bulldogs leading receiver.  Junior Jonathan Lewis (478 total yards, 5 touchdowns) has done damage on the ground and through air as a receiver.  The offensive line lead by Seniors Justin King and Joey Garcia as well as Junior Michael Leagan are starting to get healthy.

Beaumont West Brook's defense has improved since the beginning of the season.  The Bruins have transitioned to a 3-4 defense. Only three players returned from last season's defense including two on the defensive line, Senior Jaron Green and Junior Mathew Williams.  Senior Justin Guillory leads the Bruins with two interceptions.

La Porte's defense is starting to round into shape and Junior Linebacker Hoza Scott had his best game of the season last week against Baytown Sterling.  Junior Safety Victor Holmes has two interceptions and makes plays all over the field.  Seniors Alex Jones and Corey Lee have plugged up the line of scrimmage.  Cornerbacks Senior Ellis Hutchinson and Junior John Nelson have provided good coverage on the outside.

This week is a very important game in district 21-5A. Although the Bulldogs are favored, this game is a must win as after this week La Porte still has Deer Park, North Shore and Port Arthur Memorial on the schedule.

The key for La Porte is backing off the West Brook defense with some passes to open up the running game. As we have seen so far teams are still willing to stack the box with 8-9 defenders and La Porte can make them pay with the improved passing game.  On defense, the pressure must be heavy from the front seven as West Brook's QB Clack can move around well and find a open man.

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