The La Porte Bulldogs fought to remain undefeated at home, beating the Port Arthur Memorial Titans 41-35 in overtime last Friday at Bulldog Stadium. It was homecoming for La Porte and you could tell both teams were fighting for a playoff spot in a back in forth game.
Regulation play ended with the score 35-35. In overtime La Porte had the ball first and Sophomore Running Back Cobra Jones, fresh up off the JV, had a huge 19 yard run to get the Bulldogs inside the 5 yard line. The Sophomore only saw action in the second half and lead the team with 108 rushing yards on 15 carries. Two plays later Sophomore Terrel Bernard would dive in to the end zone from three yards out for the go ahead touchdown and put the pressure on the Titans to get into the end zone.
The Bulldog defense stood tall. Port Arthur had 3rd and 11 from the 16 yard line where the Bulldogs would knock down a pass in the corner of the end zone forcing 4th down and a last effort for Memorial. The 4th down pass touched the hands of the receiver at the goaline, but was a little too high sealing the victory for La Porte.
Lets rewind to how these two teams made it to overtime. The first half was a tale of two quarters. In the first quarter La Porte stormed to a 14-0 lead on two Sophomore Quarterback Austin Upshaw touchdown runs. He would have four running touchdowns on the night along with 103 rushing yards. The Bulldog defense held strong in the first quarter as well, however things would change in the second.
The Bulldogs drove down the field at the start of the 2nd quarter using a 41 yard run from Senior David Terrebonne. David was La Porte's 3rd 100 yard rusher of the night, running for 100 yards on 8 carries. Austin Upshaw took the next play into the endzone, but it was called back by penalty. The drive stalled and the field goal attempt was no good and Memorial took over at their own 20.
The next play would start a barrage of touchdowns to end the half for the Titans. Port Arthur Junior Running Back and Baylor commitment Kameron Martin took the first handoff to the left, broke a couple tackles and took it 80 yards for the touchdown. The score was 14-6 La Porte with 6:29 left in the first half.
A three and out for La Porte and the momentum was completely on the Titans side. Port Arthur Senior Runningback and Texas Tech commitment Corey Dauphine took the handoff 41 yards up the middle with La Porte Senior Safety Kevin Busby making a shoestring tackle to save the touchdown. A few plays later Memorial Sophomore Quarterback Kadon Harrison took the zone read 13 yards into the end zone and made it a one point game 14-13 La Porte with 2:11 left in the 2nd.
A botched kickoff return and Port Arthur recovered on the ensuing play. Dauphine would make the Bulldogs pay again with a 8 yard touchdown run with 30 seconds left in the half and complete a big comeback. Memorial lead 20-14 at halftime.
Things appeared to become dire for La Porte to start the second half. Port Arthur received the kickoff and ran the ball eight consecutive times with Martin capping it with a eight yard run. Port Arthur lead 27-14 with 8:18 left in the 3rd quarter.
La Porte was not done fighting in this one and they showed a bunch of heart on the legs of Upshaw and Jones, driving 63 yards. Upshaw scored on a one yard run and the Bulldogs were down 27-21 with 4:53 left in the 3rd.
The Bulldogs would get a stop finally as the Titans went for it on 4th and 11 from the LP 29. Upshaw, Terrebonne and Jones all came up with big runs on this drive going 13 plays 69 yards. Upshaw would add his fourth touchdown with 6:32 left in the 4th. This one gave La Porte the lead 28-27.
Back and forth we go, Memorial wasted little time. Dauphine took the handoff on their first play of the next drive and broke loose for 56 yards and outran everyone for the touchdown. The Titans went for two and got that as well. Memorial retook the lead 35-28 with 6:19 left.
This time the Titans defense would force a three and out and give Port Arthur a chance to run out the clock with 5 minutes left. Memorial would run the ball up the middle on the second play of their drive and La Porte Senior Linebacker Chance Moreno went straight for the strip, forcing a fumble in which Senior Safety Kevin Busby recovered putting the Bulldogs back in business.
Cobra Jones would pick a good time to get his first touchdown on the varsity squad, taking the sweep 8 yards and tying the game up 35-35 and forcing overtime.
La Porte is in good position, tied for the lead in 21-6a with a 2-1 record. Port Arthur Memorial dropped to 1-3 in district and will have to win their two remaining games to have a chance at the playoffs.
The Bulldogs will travel to Beaumont on Thursday at 7pm to take on the West Brook Bruins in another very important game for playoff positioning.
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