Tuesday, August 27, 2013

District 21-5A Preview

La Porte Bulldogs - The back to back district champs are bringing back a wealth of skill position players, but changing over the offensive line with only Senior OT Micheal Leagan returning.  Senior Quarterback Jordan Jackson will try to improve on his breakout junior season.  Senior Running back Johnathan Lewis returns after scoring 17 touchdowns in his junior season.  Senior DB Victor Holmes will lead the Bulldog defense.

North Shore Mustangs - The Mustangs have not had a two year drought in district championships in decades.  This season North Shore will feature a massive offensive line lead by Senior Najee Toran as well as a cast of future college players.  Junior Running Back Tristan Houston will lead the charge in the backfield.  Quarterback is a question mark headed into the season, but as usual expect a playmaker to emerge.  North Shore's Defense is lead by Senior and Alabama commit Zach Whitley.

Port Arthur Memorial Titans - The Titans lost a lot to graduation, 12 players signed to play college ball.  Senior Tayylor Labrie will take over at quarterback in the Titan's explosive offense.  Sophomore phenom Kameron Martin takes over as the feature running back.  On defense the team switches back to the 3-4 defense and have sideline to sideline speed at most positions.

Deer Park Deer - The Deer will have a lot of work cut out for them looking to replace a very strong receiving corps from last year. Senior Quarterback Connor Means returns along with a very experienced offensive line.  The running game will need to find a feature back as well.  The Deer Defense will feature a strong front seven with good depth.

Beaumont West Brook Bruins - The Bruins will return leading rusher Senior Justen Hervey who has many offers from different colleges such as Houston and Texas State.  The Bruins defense has some holes to fill. West Brook is mostly an unknown heading into the season, but have proven to be a tough defeat in the past.

Channelview Falcons - The Falcons will look to have a bounce back year this season.  Senior Quarterback Trevin Watson leads the offense and is a dual threat.  On defense the Falcons are replacing a lot of experienced players.

Baytown Sterling Rangers - The Rangers will return a lot of skill position talent including their top three rushers from last season, Elijah Chenier, Jaime Acosta and Dajuan Hill.  The triple option attack has not hit it's stride in the last couple of seasons.

Scrimmage Recap / Other Notes

La Porte took on Pearland Dawson in a scrimmage last Friday at the Rig in Pearland.  This was the only tune up before Friday's first game of the season against Clear Brook.

The Bulldogs began the first part of the controlled scrimmage on offense with a great drive for a touchdown.  Working out of a multiple-I set La Porte mixed the run and pass, moving the ball easily and getting a one yard touchdown run from Senior Fullback Trevor Nelson.  La Porte's second possession saw more of the same as the Bulldogs, this time out of the shotgun, moved the ball down the field with Senior Quarterback Jordan Jackson finding Junior Receiver David Terrebonne for a 17 yard touchdown pass. Sophomore Running Back Devon White had a big 60 yard run later in the second team offense along with Junior Quarterback Nick Brown finding Senior Wide Receiver Taejon Wearen for a big gain over the top of the defense.

La Porte's defense took a while to warm up giving up two touchdowns in 10 plays to start Dawson's part of the controlled scrimmage.  They would settle down later however getting some stops.

In the two live quarters of play the Bulldogs defense caused a turnover and had a big goaline stand to keep Dawson out of the end zone.  The offense couldn't get the ball out of their own end zone and Dawson got a safety for the only points scored in the open scrimmage.

La Porte saw what they needed to see and will take on Clear Brook this Friday at 7pm at Clear Creek ISD Stadium off 518/2094 in League City.

Former Bulldog Keith Whitely (c/o 2013) will be on TV this Thursday at 6pm as his UNLV Rebels take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The game will be broadcast on the Big 10 Network.  Whitely should see some playing time at running back and especially as a punt returner.

Former Bulldog John Wesby (c/o 2011) will be on Houston Baptist's inaugural football team.  He will be a starting cornerback and they play Sam Houston State on 8/31 in their first game in program history.

Former Bulldog Anthony Webb (c/o 2011) should see action for the Baylor Bears against Wofford this Saturday 8/31 at 630.  Webb is shown 3rd on Art Briles preseason depth chart at safety. He will likely see playing time on special teams and some on defense.  The game will be broadcast on FSN.

I'm trying to get a district preview as well as a Clear Brook preview out this week.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Lots To Catch Up On

As full padded practice starts this week I need to get a update out there for everyone, so here we go!

La Porte starts the season ranked #6 in the Houston Area by the Houston Chronicle
http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2013/08/counting-down-until-high-school-football-season/

Full padded practices start this Friday evening 8/16 at 530 and another Saturday morning at 8am.  They are open to the public.

Next Friday 8/23 La Porte takes on Pearland Dawson at the Rig in Pearland at 6pm for their annual preseason scrimmage.  Dawson is ranked #3 in 4a by the Houston Chronicle.  Should be a good test before Clear Brook in two weeks.



La Porte has six highly recruited players in their class of 2014.  Four of them have already committed to the Division 1 colleges of their choice which is very impressive and probably a school record.

Senior Running Back Johnathan Lewis - Colorado State - He will be the feature running back this season and expect big things from the fast running back.
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20130716/SPORTS0201/307160016/johnathan-lewis
http://youtu.be/QUXQnbR8JAE

Senior Defensive Back / Utility Victor Holmes - Iowa State - Will again start at Safety and play some offense
http://big12recruit.blogspot.com/2013/05/iowa-state-victor-holmes-scouting-report.html
http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2013/5/6/4305344/iowa-state-cyclones-football-recruiting-2014-allen-lazard
http://youtu.be/-aepuGfyWW0

Senior Linebacker Hoza Scott - Texas A&M - One of the most sought after prospects in Texas, Hoza will miss a few games early in the season.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8741419

Senior Tight End Michael Rodriguez - Louisiana Tech - 6'6" tight end was relatively unknown until this offseason
http://louisianatech.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1515343

Senior Quarterback Jordan Jackson - no offers yet, he will lead the Bulldogs in their new offense this season
http://youtu.be/DRXrFd7oWdg

Senior Offensive Lineman Michael Leagan - no offers yet, he will be a leader for a almost new offensive line
http://youtu.be/Nx-ZAOlzyvM

Some under the radar prospects include:
Senior Defensive End Lane Albertson
http://youtu.be/pxQiekR03FA
Senior Offensive / Defensive Line Tyler Davis
http://youtu.be/_RT6s6dgUAw

I will have more on the Juniors and big class of impact Sophomores coming up later.