VYPE 5A -- No. 3 The La Porte Bulldogs

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La Porte Bulldogs

Building on 2011

2011 Overall Record: 12-2

Head Coach: Jeff LaReau

Postseason: Lost to Port Arthur Memorial in the Class 5A, Division II regional quarterfinals round

By: Ahmard Vital

CUTLINE: La Porte will be led by Maurice Morris, Keith Whitely and Alex Jones

If you are looking for a lot of points, high-tempo and flash, perhaps the La Porte football team is not your type of ball. And by no means is this a shot at the program that was a few games removed from the state title game a year ago.

On any given Friday or Saturday night, the Bulldogs are going to give fans a number of things, including an old–school way of doing things like being fundamentally sound, running the football and playing tough defense, leading to great field position. This team, led by coach Jeff LaReau, is not the school looking to sling the ball around 40-50 times a game.

But things could look a slight bit different for the Bulldogs in 2012.

“The strength of our team has always been an explosive defense and running the football. But we may change the offense some to make better use of our athletes,” LaReau said.

La Porte has a number of top players capable of making plays. For starters, when talking about playmakers, look no further than Keith Whitely, a player who excels on both sides of the ball. On offense, Whitely ran for over 1,400 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. On defense, playing in the secondary, he had three interceptions. Whitely could be playing Iron Man again this season.

But there are a couple of other backs in place and ready to go so that Whitely doesn’t have to carry the full load.

“In the spring, we got to see some good things from our running backs. Whitely looked good, as well as Jonathan Lewis,” LaReau said. “These guys will be used in some new roles and put in different places on the field.”

Staying with the offense, up front La Porte has Maurice Morris and Tony Briones back to provide experience at one of the key positions on the field. At tight end, LaReau said that he expects big things from Trevor Nelson, a player who had a solid spring.

As for the defense, even though the Bulldog coaching staff still needs a few more bodies to play linebacker, one defender on the team has set himself apart from nearly every player at his position, across the country.

Hybrid Linebacker Hoza Scott finished with 60 tackles, five sacks, and three interceptions. He also scored three defensive touchdowns. Even as early as now, Scott is being labeled as the No. 1, or at least Top 5 outside linebacker for the talented class of 2014.

On the front line, tackle Corey Lee and end Alex Jones, both of which were all-district a year ago, will be back.

#3pointstance

With the style of ball played at La Porte, it would be difficult to think that the Bulldogs will maintain and build on the momentum from last season. Don’t look for a drop off as the coaching staff will utilize all talent available, even if some guys will line up on both sides of the ball, like Whitely and possibly Scott. Speaking of Whitely, look for his production to increase and have a breakout year in 2012.

The 2012 Schedule

08/31 Clear Brook      

09/07 @ South Houston        

09/14 Clear Springs

09/21 @ Brazoswood

09/28 Baytown Sterling         

10/06 @ West Brook 

10/19 Deer Park         

10/26 @ Channelview           

11/02 North Shore     

11/09 @ Port Arthur Memorial