This is good info. It doesnât really break out for student athletes though. LP & (I think) DP are open enrollment because of the way the towns intertwine. Thatâs the way itâs been for many years anyway. I assume it still is that way. The kids have a choice after Jr. High to go to either High School because LPISD has elementary schools in DP. As I recall, DP didnât want to build out more (Robin Hood issues), and so DPISD & LPISD came to an arrangement because LPISD is one of the highest givers to Robin Hood in the state, and it helped both keep more funds in district.
Of course, LPISD is open to all. Not just DP, and LPISD is rated well. So, I assume they have kids from elsewhere also. Not positive though. They used to have a lot becauseâfor decadesâDeWalt was the only dedicated public school in the GHA that specifically catered to special needs kids. Families from all over enrolled. But, they didnât participate in extracurricular activities like sports. So, LPâs total enrollment made them 6A. But, they were really a 5A school all along for sports program sake.
This is all as best as I can recall from when I was more involved in school issues. Iâm sure a lot has changed since then. My kids have been out for 20 years.
Itâs been awhile, but I seem to remember 5 D starters out & 2 O starters out (OL). A big difference is that Simon wasnât involved yet. Heâs totally changed LPâs rushing attack from last year as a bruising, explosive addition to Barnes, Sandolph & Bright. Last yearâand early this seasonâLP was missing that element.
Now, Coach Berneathy is not making talented players wait like many other coaches & even his predecessors at LP. If the kid can produce at the varsity level, theyâre moved up. And man, has Simon produced! Over 1200 yards & 20 TDâs in less than a full season so far! Itâs allowed LP to alternate RBâs where Barnes doesnât take all the pounding. Barnes and Sandolph are also able to split out as receivers as desired to add threats that werenât really an option last year.
The PNG/LP game was a full-on tilt & good for both squads. I remember Gary Joseph in the end zone giving his son pointers as an extra set of eyes since heâd had experience with LP in past PO matchups. That was a good game. The score wasnât really indicative of the game. Not sure anyone felt it was over until the final whistle!
Good luck to yâall in Cajun Country. Bring back a win for SE Texas. (Yes. La Porte is still SETX. Ha!)