OlDawg

NOTE: The parking lot for the strip center on the west side of the stadium is okay to park in, and is actually easier in/out—if you don’t mind the walk to the NE stadium entrance. Just DO NOT park between the blue water bottle outlet shed & the DQ. YOU WILL BE TOWED. Stay south of the blue shed.

Monday morning. You sure are excited for this one. 😆 Get here early. Parking is horrible. Construction. Good Tex-Mex is El Ranchero, El Toro, or Casa Anita’s. El Toro is actually the same family ownership as Gringo’s, Bullritos, Johnny Tamales, and Jimmy Changas. King’s BBQ has an excellent stuffed potato. Then, there’s a new wing place I haven’t tried yet right at the corner of the stadium parking lot & Fairmont Pkwy. Of course, one of the best DQ’s around is right across from the stadium. Been there since I was a kid in the 60’s I think. Don’t know about the concessions at Bulldog. Haven’t been to the stadium during a game yet. They used to be decent. Not sure if they still have Chick Fil A and turkey legs or not.

This game is hard to gauge. PN-G has been anticipating this game since early Spring, and are dying to hand La Porte their first loss at new Bulldog Stadium. The Indians have shown solid play against a mediocre 6A Klein Oak, and an inferior Beaumont United. Micah Rhodes of Oak is overrated IMHO, and is a 5 star as much due to press & pedigree as his play on the field. Oak has only had 1 winning season (6-5) since 2020. BU is BU. Not much to say on that other than I hope their new staff can right the ship. Henry and Diaz have been solid runners for PN-G, and Bailey is looking like a lot more polished passer this year. The Indian's D is playing very well in limiting the running game, and Special Teams play looks to have improved. The Bulldogs have been inconsistent against two solid 6A PO teams in Deer Park and Kingwood. But, have found a way to win both games. Deer Park may be younger this year. But, the Border Battle is unpredictable at best every year, and the Deer showed--IMHO--more pure talent than they had last year. They also played #13 6A state ranked Woodlands to a closer than expected 30-20 loss. They have a very talented, young QB this year, and--as always--are big everywhere. They have had the misfortune of having to play NS first round almost every year for a decade or more, and that's a losing proposition for most. Kingwood is a legitimate 6A PO team. In any district other than 23-6A, they'd be fighting for the DC. As it is, they'll be fighting with CE King again for that 4th spot, and it should be another fantastic game. They made it to the Regional Finals last year only to lose to district mate Summer Creek again. Their QB is a solid passer, and they have some very good receivers. Of course, they have the #1 ranked OL in the country for the class of 2027. Defensively, they are very stout. They were able to shut LP down for the most part in the 2nd half by stacking all 11 within 6-7 yards of the LOS, and LP's passing game was out of sync on a lot of the small passes to the flats and intermediates. LP was able to go over the top for a couple big pass plays. One set up the winning TD drive. LP's Special Teams were anything but special, and almost cost them the win. But, to give credit to Kingwood, they have a player (Wehby) who is not only an outstanding receiver, he's also a fantastic return man. He's one to watch going forward as he already has 2 returns for TD's in 2 games. Both teams like to play a physical brand of football, control the clock, and minimize mistakes. Both teams are blessed with excellent coaching staffs, and solid players. I see this game as coming down to who can keep their D off the field the most, and play the cleanest. Any mistakes will be magnified. Unless something out of the ordinary happens, I see a lower scoring affair where every possession counts, and scores will be at a premium. PN-G will finally play a quality opponent, and LP will need to finally find consistency in all 3 phases of the game. I like LP's OL and DL. The LB's are fairly equal. So far, LP's secondary has been a pleasant surprise. So, I give them a slight edge. PN-G looks to have the edge on Special Teams. Both teams have experienced QB's who can be on or off. Both teams have solid running games. I look for LP to finally put it all together this week and play a complete game. They know the Indians are a quality program, and are state ranked again for a reason. They also know PN-G has been talking for a very long time about handing them their first loss at Bulldog. I'm going with LP by 4 at home in a lower scoring affair. Something along the lines of 28-24. Safe travels to the Indian fans, and let's hope for an injury free game.

Angleton is still doing what they should to inferior opponents. Friendswood had an explosion, and showed why they're a PO contender. They look to have improved greatly between Week 1 & 2 which is what you want to see if you're a Mustang coach, player, or fan. Friendswood being good is good for 11-5A. Kempner continued their winning steak, and Kingwood Park got demolished by a potent Dayton team that seems to be on the rise again. Crosby's struggles continue, and La Porte took down their second 6A PO team from 2024 (#14 R3 6A ranked Kingwood-Vype). But, they didn't have a complete game in all three phases. Special Teams play almost cost them the win.

Week 2 Scores: New Caney Porter 21 Pasadena Memorial 20 Kingwood Park 19 Dayton 62 La Porte 34 Kingwood 28 Iowa Colony 42 Crosby 17 Willowridge 7 Friendswood 55 Angleton 75 Brazoswood 21 Fort Bend Kempner 29 Rosenberg Lamar Consolidated 25 Pasadena 7 Pasadena Rayburn 24

Only fan base I’ve ever heard cry and whine so much is Deer Park. Deer Park was griping about the homerism of LPSportsNET this year. Duh…😂🤣

Katy was tough in 2008. That was the first year Katy & LP played in the Regionals. 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2012. Both teams got knocked out in Area in 2010. Katy won the title in 2008 and 2012. (Of course, they won 7 more also.) It was becoming a regular thing. But, Katy was basically a 6AD1 school playing D2 because of their district enrollments, and LP was the size it is now. They weren’t split up with all the schools yet, and all the players went to Katy. They mauled LP all but 2011 when LP won the classic 9-7 game at Tully. They just had too many weapons, and too much depth for La Porte. Of course, they mowed almost everyone down back then.

Pretty ugly 2nd half. A lot of work to do before next week. But, Kingwood is a solid club. LP’s not playing cupcakes. Deer Park only lost to #13 State Ranked Woodlands 30-20 tonight, and Kingwood would probably be a District Champ or Runner Up in most other districts not named 23-6A. They still got to the 6A State Quarterfinals last year only to lose to district mate Summer Creek.

!!:28/34/F LP scored with 7 seconds left after a very sloppy 2nd half to pull out the win.

!!:21/21/3/3/11 Wehby punt return for TD

!!:21/21/3/3/11 Wehby punt return for TD

!!:14/21/3/7/30

Dawgs stop KW on 4 th & 5.

1st half- Simon -133, 1 TD Ruffin - 100 2 TD

!!:7/21/H LP controlling game. But, have had some costly penalties that have cost them at least 1 score. Probably two. Kingwood hasn’t been able to really stop the Dawgs yet.

KW was driving at the LP 5. LP forces fumble.

!!:7/14/2/4/15

LP hits crossbar with FG try.

LP stuffs KW on 4 downs again. LP ball on their 44.

Long Simon run to the goal line on 4th & 1 called back for holding. LP looking to punt start of 2nd Qtr.

!!:0/14/2/12/00

!!:0/14/1/4/27 Simon TD run

LP sticks the KO returner & recovered KW fumble on the 29 of KW.

!!:0/7/1/5/54 Ruffin TD run

!!:0/0/1/12/00 LP to receive.