The La Porte Bulldogs faced off against Port Arthur Memorial Titans in their annual tilt this past Friday and the emotions ran high as they always do in this rivalry. This game has been decided by 7 points or less for the last few seasons.
A somber beginning to the game, as Port Arthur Offensive line coach John Clayton Jr passed away the previous weekend. A ceremony including a helicopter landing at midfield took place before the game. Prayers go out to the Port Arthur family and friends, players and coaches.
The Titans were understandably fired up to start the game, but La Porte made some key plays on their opening drive including a big 3rd down conversion from Junior Quarterback Austin Upshaw to Junior Wide Receiver Damian Phillips keeping the drive alive. From there the Bulldogs two big running backs, Senior Nathan Redd and Junior Cobra Jones, would reel off big runs into Port Arthur territory. Redd capped the drive finding a big hole on the right side to open the scoring with a one yard run and a 7-0 La Porte lead.
A short kickoff and Memorial wasted little time. Their first play from scrimmage was a wide receiver screen and a untouched 51 yard touchdown pass. The game was quickly tied at 7 in the 1st quarter.
The teams traded punts and Memorial would put the pressure on La Porte going to the end of the 1st quarter. The Bulldogs fumbled on a run up the middle near midfield. Memorial completed a pass with a diving catch to the La Porte 10 yard line. Penalties gave the Titans extra tries and Senior running back Kameron Martin punched in a 5 yard score to put Memorial ahead 14-7 at the end of the 1st.
The two teams traded turnovers to start the second quarter. La Porte's Senior Cornerback Vincent Chachere picked off his 5th interception of the season, but the Bulldogs fumbled it away again. The teams traded punts and Port Arthur had a fourth and 1 at their own 28 yard line. This would change all of the momentum as La Porte came up with the stop on a incomplete pass and took over deep in Port Arthur territory. Another big 3rd down Upshaw to Phillips pass would set up a Junior Terrel Bernard three yard touchdown run and a even 14-14 score with three minutes remaining in the half.
La Porte's Darkside defense lead by Senior Defensive End Eric Kendzior and Bernard forced a big three and out, Senior Linebacker Keshun Wells had two big tackles on run plays. La Porte would wind the clock down and Junior Kicker Foster Hillborn would connect on a huge 47 yard field goal as time expired. La Porte lead 17-14 at halftime.
The third quarter started with the Titans receiving and going on to kick a 24 yard field goal to tie the game at 17. Then the Bulldogs and Nathan Redd took over.
La Porte moved the ball down the field and Redd, who had 128 yards rushing on the night, scored on a eight yard run giving the Bulldogs a 24-17 lead.
The next play for Memorial was a big interception from La Porte's Terrel Bernard who flashed to the ball in underneath coverage and returned the pick to the 11 yard line.
Two plays later Redd was running through a huge hole created by the big offensive line and scoring his third touchdown of the game, a five yard run. La Porte now lead 31-17 at the end of the third.
Port Arthur went on a furious comeback attempt, using a 14 play drive and scoring on a 11 yard scrambling run to cut the deficit to one score 31-24 La Porte.
A wild sequence of events would ensue. La Porte would be forced to punt from midfield and down the ball at the Memorial six yard line. With a 3rd down at their own nine yard line, Memorial's Kameron Martin shot through a hole in the middle and cut down the sidelines. The running back seemingly would score the game tying touchdown, however La Porte Senior Linebacker Xavian Henry made what would be a game winning tackle at the one yard line and forcing Port Arthur to get the touchdown the hard way with 4:30 left in the game. The Titans fumbled the exchange on the next play and La Porte Junior Logan Nichols recovered.
From there La Porte had no trouble running out the clock as the running game pounded the ball for two first downs and ended the game with a La Porte 31-24 victory.
La Porte moves to 6-1 on the season and 3-0 in district play. This week is homecoming and La Porte will have a big test with Beaumont West Brook (6-2, 3-1) coming to town. This game will possibly determine playoff positioning and is the biggest game of the year for the Bulldogs. Hope everyone comes out to enjoy this really good La Porte team!
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