Another chapter in the storied rivalry of the La Porte Bulldogs and the Deer Park Deer was written last Friday night as La Porte came through with a 10-6 victory at a packed Bulldog Stadium. This years game sold out Thursday morning and the crowd was hopping on both sides thirty minutes before game time. The Bulldogs would thrill the home side, scoring a touchdown with 12 seconds remaining to take the victory.
It was scoreless at halftime after a defensive struggle in the first half. After a quick stop from the Deer defense early in the first quarter, Deer Park quickly moved into La Porte territory mixing the run and pass. However, on third and thirteen from the Bulldogs 30 yard line La Porte Senior Safety Bryson Rogers stepped in front of a Deer Park receiver and intercepted the pass stopping the Deer in their tracks.
La Porte would have a decent drive of their own, getting to the Deer Park 25 yard line before penalties pushed the Bulldogs back and forced them to punt. The Bulldogs Senior Punter Kyle Jobe would get off a nice punt, pinning Deer Park back to the 2 yard line. As the first quarter ended the game remained 0-0.
La Porte Senior Lineman Clayton Calhoun dominated when put it on defense and swatted a Deer Park pass to start the second quarter, however he was injured on the punt and did not return to the game.
Both teams continue to trade punts. La Porte found the end zone on their punt return only to be called back due to penalty. Bulldog Senior Running Back Britt Grant weaved through Deer Park running 63 yards to the end zone, but the referees called holding and brought it back. On the ensuing series La Porte was again forced to punt and Deer Park fumbled the punt return putting the Bulldogs in prime position to take the lead just before halftime. La Porte drove to the Deer Park 5 yard line where the Deer defense stood tall and stopped the Bulldogs. La Porte's 19 yard field goal attempt was blocked by Deer Park and the game headed to halftime in a 0-0 deadlock.
The third quarter would see Deer Park get on the board first. The Deer drove down the field in a long, time consuming 16 play drive that took almost 8 minutes off the clock. The drive was capped by a Deer Park 15 yard touchdown pass from Cameron Thompson to Duncan McVey in what seemed to be good La Porte coverage. The ball was threaded between three Bulldog defenders. The extra point was no good. Deer Park lead 6-0 with 4:36 left in the 3rd quarter.
A big scramble from La Porte Sophomore Quarterback Austin Upshaw would pick up 23 yards and a first down on the next drive. A pass to Bulldog Senior Receiver David Terrebonne put La Porte in Deer Park territory. Again Upshaw would get a big 16 yard run on the next play. The Bulldogs drive would stall at the Deer Park 7 yard line and set up a Senior Kicker Ceasar Silva 24 yard field goal to cut the lead to Deer Park 6 La Porte 3 going into the fourth quarter.
Deer Park would start the fourth quarter with another long drive, moving down the La Porte 25 yard line where the Deer faced 4th and 6. Deer Park went for it all, throwing to the end zone, but La Porte Junior Cornerback DeVohn White broke up the play at the goaline and La Porte took over.
Deer Park forced a quick three and out on La Porte and the turnovers would begin to rain down. First La Porte got a interception on another big play from DeVohn White, returning it to the Deer Park 18 yard line. On the next play La Porte fumbled on a perfectly placed helmet to ball shot by Deer Park.
The teams again traded punts as the Bulldogs were running out of time and opportunities to get the last score they needed. Deer Park received a La Porte punt with 3:18 left in the fourth quarter and just needing a first down to run out the clock. La Porte Senior Defensive Tackle Denaus Ferguson came up huge on 4th and 2, stopping Deer Park for a one yard gain and giving the Bulldogs one final opportunity with 2:17 left and the ball at their own 34.
What happened on the last drive was a clutch display by Sophomore Austin Upshaw, going 4 for 4 including a 30 yard post pattern to David Terrebonne on the first play of the drive. Then a nine yard pass to Junior Nathan Redd. Upshaw would keep it up the middle for two yards on the next play. Then he found Senior Receiver Chris Green for nine yards. Upshaw passed nine yards to Sophomore Terrel Bernard to the Deer Park 8 yard line. Upshaw ran up the middle to the five yard line with time ticking down around 30 seconds left. Bernard would take the hand off to the two yard line with about 18 seconds left. Hurrying up to the line Upshaw turned and handed off to Senior James Jacobs who followed the blocks of Sophomore Ryder Rae and Junior Tristan Lozano into the end zone for the game winning touchdown with 12 seconds to play. La Porte lead 10-6 and pulled off a great comeback victory.
Senior Tyler Erskine came up with the tackle on the ensuing kickoff with seven seconds remaining. Deer Park's pass would be incomplete as time expired and La Porte pulled out the 10-6 victory.
There was an amazing show of sportsmanship after the final whistle as La Porte Senior Chance Moreno consoled a stunned Deer Park Senior offensive lineman Austin Hill who they had faced each other all night. This is the spirit of this rivalry. There is talk all week and back and forth from the crowds all night, but this is what truly makes this the best rivalry in Texas. Amazing game from Deer Park and great win for the La Porte Bulldogs.
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