The La Porte Bulldogs fell in a hole they could not recover from in a 31-28 loss to the Bellaire Cardinals last Saturday. There were many good things to take away from the first loss of the season. The defense played well, although the score did not show it. The Bulldogs running game on offense is in midseason form lead by the offensive line and very good athletes in the backfield.
This one started out about as rough as you could start a game. La Porte received the opening kick for a touchback, followed by a fumble on the first play from scrimmage recovered by the Cardinals at the 6 yard line. Two plays later and Bellaire had a 7-0 lead after a 6 yard touchdown run with 11:22 left in the 1st quarter.
It got worse. La Porte was forced to punt after a bad exchange out of the shotgun on 3rd and 1. Bellaire wasted no time 4 plays later scoring on a 23 yard pass. Bellaire lead 14-0 with 8:20 left in the first.
After a nice 19 yard pass from Sophomore QB Austin Upshaw to Senior Fullback James Jacobs, came another fumble out of the shotgun recovered by Bellaire. This time the Bulldog defense stepped up with three tackles for loss in a row forcing Bellaire to kick a 41 yard field goal which went through the uprights. After a disastrous 1st quarter the score was Bellaire 17 La Porte 0.
The second quarter began with La Porte coming to life. A 8 play 91 yard drive capped by Senior Running Back Britt Grant's 13 yard touchdown run. Grant had 15 carries for 180 yards and two scores on the night. This score made it Bellaire 17 La Porte 7 with 11:15 to go before halftime.
Bellaire responded quickly with a 52 yard pass that set up a 9 yard touchdown run. Bellaire was back up by 17 with 8:39 left in the 2nd quarter 24-7.
The Bulldogs never gave up, running the ball seven consecutive plays including a 37 yard run by Britt Grant. Upshaw capped the drive with a 9 yard run behind a huge block from Senior lineman Clayton Calhoun. Upshaw rushed the ball 14 times for 239 yards on the night with 2 scores. A huge game for the Sophomore quarterback. LP was back in it 24-14 going into halftime.
Bellaire came out in the second half in their hurry up offense quickly moving in side the La Porte 10 yard line. A bad exchange between the quarterback and running back put the ball on the turf and La Porte recovered. Four plays later Britt Grant busted through a hole and ran the ball 63 yards for the touchdown right up the middle. Bellaire still lead La Porte 24-21 with 7:17 left in the 3rd.
Bellaire would bounce right back and make a 59 yard run of their own with their Quarterback hurdling La Porte defenders. Bellaire was back up 31-21 with 4:51 left in the 3rd.
Back and forth we went. La Porte Junior DeVohn White would get a huge return on the kickoff of 50 yards. Upshaw would do the rest on the next play cutting back twice and running it in from 41 yards out. La Porte was down 31-28 going into the tense 4th quarter.
The third quarter ended with Upshaw again cutting loose going 80 yards to the end zone, however the ball was jarred loose by the Bellaire defender. The referee was trying to catch up to the play and judged that it was a fumble and that turned it over for a touchback and Bellaire's ball. It was a very close call and would have given La Porte the lead.
Senior Safety Kevin Busby picked up a interception in the 4th quarter and he was assisted by a huge hit Senior Defensive Tackle Denaus Ferguson landed on the quarterback. La Porte could not get anything going and punted the ball back to Bellaire. With one final chance Bellaire intercepted a La Porte pass with 1:28 left to seal the victory for the Cardinals.
Everything that could happen did. A awful 1st quarter, a shoot-out 2nd and 3rd quarter and a defensive battle in the 4th.
This week La Porte will take on the 1-1 Clear Spring Chargers at Bulldog Stadium Friday at 7pm. Come support the Dogs and see some exciting action!
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