Titans defense faces LaPorte challenge

[KFDM COOP]

Titans defense faces LaPorte challenge

By Cody Pastorella

The Port Arthur News

Just like the chore for NBA opponents of the Boston Celtics, Memorial's task will be to stop LaPorte's big three in Friday night's bidistrict round of the Class 5A state playoffs in Baytown. Also like the Celtics, LaPorte has a name most in Port Arthur are familiar with — Kendrick Perkins.

Perkins is LaPorte's main piece on offense. He leads the team with 1,050 rushing yards and has scored 14 touchdowns. The Bulldogs other threats are QB Ryan Williams, who has throw for 809 yards and six touchdowns and receiver Jimmy Randall, who has 33 catches for 505 yards and three TDs.

Along with stopping the LaPorte big three, Memorial will have to find ways to score, which has been quite the task for the Titans this season. Memorial has only topped 20 points just once this season. Port Arthur has also needed consecutive fourth quarter comebacks just to claim a spot in the playoffs, which is its first trip since 2006 when the Titans were dominated 56-27 by none other than LaPorte.

Memorial head coach Ronnie Thompson said the Bulldogs are pretty much the same team they were two seasons ago.

"They like to be patient, use the clock and run the football. They are very capable of throwing it and will when the time is right but they are going to come out running. They are very well coached on both sides of the ball but we feel like we have prepared well.

“We have seen film from them against similar opponents and I think we're going to match up just fine. That remains to be seen, though. We'll know more after the game tomorrow night," Thompson said.

Those similar opponents were Baytown Sterling and Baytown Lee. LaPorte, which is 5-4 overall, suffered losses to both the Rangers and Ganders this season, incluing a 21-19 decision to Sterling and a 17-14 loss to Lee.

Memorial, meanwhile, went 1-1 against the Baytown schools, and posted a 13-10 victory over the Ganders last Friday night. It was a win that needed a 4th-and-16 touchdown conversion late in the fourth quarter when quarterback Jareal Alexander hit Chance Filer in the back of the endzone on a fade route.

The Titans suffered a 17-10 loss at Sterling earlier in the season.

Memorial bounced back from that loss, however, finishing the regular season at 3-5 overall and 2-3 in District 21-5A. LaPorte, meanwhile, went 5-2 in District 22-5A, with back-to-back lopsided victories over Pasadena and South Houston, respectively, along the way to its third place finish.

Port Arthur will hope to improve its playoff record to an even 3-3 with a win over the Bulldogs. In seven seasons, the Titans have made just three visits to the postseason and have only recorded two wins in that span. Both of those victories came in the 2003 season when the Titans won close games in the first two rounds before getting knocked 34-14 by Katy in the Astrodome.

Based on recent history and the statistical matchups, the Titans hopes seem to be in jeopardy. The Bulldogs are averaging 298 yards of offense per game, including 208 on the ground. While Memorial has made considerable improvements in stopping the run this season, its defense has allowed 136.5 rushing yards per contest and is allowing almost 278 yards of total offense per game.

Memorial also let the Ganders pick up 181 yards on the ground in last week's matchup.

On the other side of the ball, led by Alexander, who piled up 288 yards of total offense against Lee, the Titans have bettered their offensive production in recent weeks, and are now averaging 252 yards of offense. Thompson's bunch was good for 330 yards per game last season but that team did not make the playoffs.

Little has really gone to plan for Memorial this season. With injuries, hurricanes and everything else, one might have to consider the late, fouth quarter, game-winning drives in back-to-back weeks before writing off the Titans another week.

Two weeks ago, Alexander found Solomon Jones for a 10-yard touchdown pass with just 16 seconds left in the game against Channelview.

At this point in the season, Thompson said records, standings and stats won't matter.

"We've traded film with them. We know what to expect. We've played similar opponents and seen the matchups there. There aren't any secrets," Thompson said. "This should be a physical, high intensity, contest from both sides. It should be a good game. Both sides have banged up players.

"They run a lot of players on offense and defense, so they are tired and will get tired. We're banged up too. That's football. That's what a season will do to you. But none of it matters, you got to show up and play to win."

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Stallworth Stadium in Baytown

Records: LaPorte 5-4 (5-2), Memorial 3-5 (2-3)

Series: 1-0 LaPorte

Last meeting: 56-27 LaPorte in 2006 Bi-District playoff

Directions: Take I-10 West for 53 miles. Take Exit 795 toward Sjolander Road. Take left at Sjolander Road. Follow that road for one mile. Turn right at East Archer Road.

MEMORIAL OFFENSE

QB -- Jareal Alexander (6)

RB -- Daleon Sinette (21)

WR -- Chance Filer (25)

WR -- Solomon Jones (2)

WR -- K'Sean Wesley (8)

WR -- Nate Davis (12)

LT -- Evan Gauthia (74)

LG -- Dominique Henderson (51)

C -- Darius Tanner (50)

RG -- Eric Payne (52)

RT -- Randy Williams (70)

MEMORIAL DEFENSE

NT -- Mark Washington (69)

LE -- Radermon Scypion (5)

RE -- Keenan Romar (40)

SAM -- Joe Lee (44)

[Mr. Buddy Garrity]

slight chance i'll be on tonight, if not good luck Titans anyway!!!!

8)