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RANKINGS
Whataburger Team of the Week: La Porte captures statement win over Kingwood; now gears up for PNG
Two games into the 2025 season, La Porte is already proving it belongs in the conversation among the state’s most competitive programs.
The Bulldogs improved to 2-0 with a 34-28 win over Kingwood last Friday — a victory that speaks volumes. Not only did they knock off a Class 6A opponent, but they did so against a team that made it all the way to the Region III Final a year ago.
Of course, La Porte isn’t short on postseason pedigree themselves. The Bulldogs advanced to the fourth round of the 5A-D1 playoffs in 2024 before falling to district rival Angleton — a team they’ll see again in a much-anticipated Halloween night rematch later this fall.
For now, though, the focus shifts to this Friday’s clash with Port Neches-Groves — a matchup that should be on the radar for any Texas high school football fan looking for another tightly contested game.
Offensively, La Porte’s bread-and-butter continues to be its ground game, headlined by the two-headed rushing attack of Sean Simon and Ashton Ruffin.
Simon, a standout sophomore and four-star recruit, has already racked up 500 yards and four touchdowns through just two weeks. Ruffin, a senior and two-way force, has tallied 356 total yards and six scores while also anchoring the defense as an all-district linebacker.
Senior QB Aiden Saenz provides stability under center, while sophomore wideout Payton Smith adds a youthful spark in the passing game. Up front, senior lineman Jake Hayman — last year’s District Offensive Lineman of the Year — leads a physical unit that’s opened up lanes for the backs to thrive.
Defensively, the Bulldogs are anchored by senior nose guard Luke Mora and safety Blake Stout, providing experience and toughness on a unit that will be tested against PNG’s dynamic offense.
Now in his fourth season at the helm, head coach Kevin Berneathy has built a team with the depth, discipline, and edge to compete deep into November once again. If early results are any indication, La Porte is picking up right where it left off.
Kaleb Bailey of North Shore is one of the city's best
TD Club Awards name top public school players this week
It's awards season in Greater Houston as the Touchdown Club will host its annual event this Wednesday.
The gala is 7 p.m., Wed., Dec. 13, 2023, at the Bayou City Event Center, 9401 Knight Road. Come and see who the cream of the cream of Greater Houston UIL high school football players are at the UIL High School Awards Dinner.
Past winners include Vince Young of Madison (2001), CeeDee Lamb of Foster (2016), Ed Oliver of Westfield (2015), Alan Faneca of Lamar Consolidated (1993) and Thurman Thomas of Willowridge (1983).
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DEFENSE
Nehemiah Allen, Westfield
Carmello Brooks, Paetow
Kaleb Burns, Cypress Falls
Courtland Guillory, Klein Oak
Tobi Haastrup, Mayde Creek
Parker Johnson, Stratford
Trent Lancaster, Klein Cain
Kade Phillips, Hightower
Landon Rink, Cy-Fair
Devin Sanchez, North Shore
Chance Sims, Randle
Chad Woodfork, Summer Creek
OFFENSE
Kaleb Bailey, North Shore
Tory Blaylock, Atascocita
Chance Bryant, Fulshear
Austin Carlisle, Ridge Point
Zaylen Cormier, Heights
Aaron DeLeon, Stratford
Dramekco Green, Conroe
Max Hendrick, Klein Cain
La’Damion McDowell, Hightower
Jonte Newman, Bridgeland
Clint Rachal, College Park
Tyler Thomas, Dickinson
COACH OF THE YEAR
Kevin Berneathy, La Porte
Chris Brister, Cypress Falls
Jason Brittain, Angleton
Brandon Ellis, Worthing
Ray Garza, Iowa Colony
Cedric Hardeman, Conroe
Lonnie Madison, Bridgeland
Cale Melton, Kingwood
Mike Rabe, Jordan
Brian Randle, Randle
Jim Rapp, The Woodlands
Craig Stump, Atascocita