This week the 7-1 La Porte Bulldogs face the 8-0 North Shore Mustangs in a very important District 21-5A contest. The winner will have the inside track on the district championship this season. Last season La Porte knocked off North Shore for the first time in thirteen tries with a 38-30 victory and clearing the path for a Bulldog district championship. North Shore High School (4600 students) is over twice the size of La Porte High School (2185 students). This has contributed to the program's success over the last couple decades. This season the Mustangs will be trying to get back on track towards another district title.
The Mustangs have been strong so far and will look to continue to roll through their schedule on the way to the division one playoffs. North Shore has scheduled strong opponents in Manvel, Clear Springs and Cinco Ranch along with a tough 31-24 victory over district mate Port Arthur Memorial.
North Shore's great start to the season has been due to an improved defense. Junior Linebacker Zach Whitely is the team's headliner and is a hard-hitting run-stopper in the Mustangs front seven, he has many college offers already. Senior Defensive Back Ernest Thomas leads the team with three interceptions. The team has been very stingy against the run, but has given up some passing yards at times.
La Porte's offense will be trying to find any hole they can in the Mustang defense. Senior Running Back Keith Whitely (1060 yards rushing, 7 touchdowns), has been a team leader and went over 1000 yards last week against Channelview. Junior Running Back Jonathan Lewis (800 total yards, 14 touchdowns), has big play ability and will need to break some more this week. This week will be Junior Quarterback Jordan Jackson's (800 yards passing, 16 touchdowns) biggest test as the Bulldogs try and get some points on the Mustangs. Senior Receiver Jahvey Mark (15 catches, 289 yards, 5 touchdowns) and Sophomore Britt Grant (15 catches, 154 yards, 3 touchdowns) are the teams leading receivers and will need to have big games. Senior Offensive Tackle Maurice Morris had his first full game action this season against Channelview and should be back in top form this week.
The Mustangs offense is lead by Senior Quarterback Micah Thomas (1470 total yards, 16 touchdowns) is a dual threat on the ground and through the air. He spreads the ball around to multiple receivers and runners. Sophomore Tristan Houston has been an explosive playmaker on the ground. Houston averages 14.7 yards per carry over his 635 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. Senior Running Back Jared Pendleton (400 yards, 10 touchdowns) leads the team in carries. Junior Kevian Deleon (370 yards receiving, 5 touchdowns) and Senior Herbert Hunter (13 catches, 203 yards) lead the team in receiving. Both are small and quick. North Shore has a big, young group of offensive lineman that make the future look very bright.
La Porte's defense is also lead by a Junior, highly recruited linebacker. Hoza Scott has many major college offers as well and can play in coverage or disrupting the play in the backfield. Seniors Alex Jones, Corey Lee, Mark Guzman and Justin Pickell lead a front seven that will try to contain the speed of the Mustang's offense and zone read. Senior Cornerback Ellis Hutchinson and Junior Safety Victor Holmes lead the secondary and will be an important part of stopping North Shore.
Keys to the game:
-La Porte must sustain drives and keep the North Shore offense off the field, keeping the Bulldogs defense as fresh as possible. The improved passing game will need to show even more improvement this week.
-La Porte's defense must contain the outside runs and have sound tackling. The Bulldogs are solid up the middle, but will be tested more on the outside this week.
-The Bulldogs cannot turn the ball over and hope to win, on the other hand they must force a couple Mustang turnovers.
A La Porte win would give them a shot at the outright 21-5A title if they beat Port Arthur next week. A North Shore win would give them district title with tiebreakers over La Porte and Port Arthur, even though the Mustangs play Deer Park next week.
The Bulldogs really need a big crowd this week. Expect lots of media coverage as this is one of the games of the week in Houston.
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