The La Porte Bulldogs went into last Friday's game against the Channelview Falcons needing a win to secure the second seed out of district 21-6a. Channelview came into the game needing a win to just get into the playoffs. The Bulldogs flexed their muscle on defense holding the Falcon's offense to 20 points after they had averaged over 50 points a game on the season. La Porte's running game was enough to keep the defense well rested in a 36-20 victory.
The La Porte Darkside defense started and finished strong. Channelview received the opening kick and three plays later Sophomore Linebacker Terrel Bernard came up with a diving interception on 3rd down.
The Bulldogs wasted little time, Senior Receiver David Terrebonne took a jet sweep to the right side and it was well blocked covering 36 yards inside the 10 yard line. Sophomore Running Back Cobra Jones took the handoff up the middle on the next play running through five Channelview defenders and powering his way into the end zone. La Porte lead 7-0 with 11:26 left in the 1st quarter.
Channelview appeared to start getting their offense on track, completing a 30 yard pass into La Porte territory, however another big play from La Porte's defense kept momentum on their side. With the ball on the La Porte 22 yard line Seniors Denaus Ferguson and Lane Pfieffer knocked the ball loose and Junior Vincent Chachere was there to jump on the loose ball, stopping the Falcon threat. The Bulldogs seem to force a bunch of fumbles every week, but rarely get the ball to bounce their direction and this time it did.
The Falcons defense stepped up this time forcing a punt and scored their first touchdown of the game. Junior Quarterback Jalen Hurts completed a fade to the back of the endzone putting Channelview on the board and tying it up 7-7 with 5:44 left in the 1st.
The Bulldogs provided some rest for the defense on their next possession. A 13 play drive eating up over five and a half minutes resulting in Senior Kicker Ceasar Silva's first field goal of the game from 30 yards away. La Porte regained the lead 10-7 to end the first quarter.
The game started to move back and forth quickly. Channelview drove the field 70 yards in five plays showing the kind of offense they have produced this season. Falcon Senior All-District Running Back Chris Jefferson ran the ball in from 16 yards out to give Channelview their first and only lead of the game 14-10 with 11:08 left in the first half.
The teams traded punts twice and La Porte took the ball at their own 31 yard line. Bulldogs Sophomore Quarterback Austin Upshaw took over the game. Channelview stacked the line of scrimmage, but could not contain the La Porte quarterback as he took the keeper up the middle and it parted like the red sea going 55 yards for the touchdown to put the Bulldogs in the lead going to halftime 17-14.
The second half started with the Bulldogs receiving the kickoff and scoring quick. Upshaw ran for 17 yards, then connected on a pass to Senior Tight End Jaron Dykstra for 7 that included a 15 yard facemask penalty tacked on. Upshaw did the rest with a convoy of Bulldog blockers around the right side running 22 yards for a touchdown and a 10 point lead. Upshaw finished the night with 160 yards on the ground.
Channelview showed a little fight, scoring immediately on another Jefferson run, this time from 70 yards out. It would be the last we heard out of the Falcons offense for the night as the Bulldogs defense and running game took it to the next level. La Porte lead 24-20 with 10:03 left in the 3rd.
The second half featured La Porte Junior Running Back Nathan Redd getting a boatload of carries, running for 159 on 22 attempts and keeping the chains moving. The Bulldogs pounded the middle of the Falcons line behind Senior Tyler Boudreaux, Junior Logan Jackson and Sophomore Ryder Rae.
Senior Kicker Caeser Silva had a career night for the Bulldogs kicking two field goals from 26 and 25 yards to extend the La Porte's lead to 30-20 with 6:33 left in the game.
Redd would walk into the end zone for La Porte's final touchdown with 2:11 left and a 36-20 victory.
The fourth quarter for La Porte featured multiple stops on defense, the Bulldogs swarmed the Falcon's backfield putting pressure on Channelview and forcing punts and turnover on downs. Sacks by Junior Linebacker Eric Kendzior and Senior Tyler Erskine. Lane Pfieffer shadowed the Falcons Quarterback all night forcing him to throw away passes. Junior Cornerbacks Vincent Chachere and Devohn White broke up passes and Senior Safeties Kevin Busby and Bryson Rogers covered up slot receivers. Senior Middle line backer Chance Moreno covered tight ends and running backs out of the backfield.
It was a big game for the Bulldogs defense and they will have to come up big again next week as Pearland Dawson will be the first round matchup for La Porte. Dawson averages 44 points per game this season. The game will be played at 7pm Friday at Galena Park ISD Stadium (North Shore's stadium).
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