The first Friday night of the high school football season in La Porte was a memorable one, as the Bulldogs defeated rival Deer Park 35-31 in an exciting Border Battle.
The game was not just a thrilling sporting event, but also marked the grand opening of La Porte’s new $56 million Bulldog Stadium, which hosted a sell-out crowd of nearly 9,000 fans.
A Fresh Start at Bulldog Stadium
The Bulldogs had been playing their home games on the road for the past two seasons while their stadium was under construction.
Friday night’s victory gave fans even more to celebrate than just the rivalry game—it was also a momentous occasion for the La Porte community, as the team returned to their new home field for the first time.
A Game for the Ages
The game was a nail-biter that came down to the final seconds. Deer Park seemed to have the momentum early on, jumping out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter.
However, the Bulldogs responded with 21 unanswered points in the second quarter, including two rushing touchdowns by sophomore Sean Simon and a touchdown pass from Aiden Saenz. Despite the Bulldogs’ strong comeback, Deer Park led 24-21 at halftime.
The Dramatic Finish
The second half was filled with back-and-forth action, but with just 3:19 left on the clock, La Porte took the lead for good. Ashton Ruffin ran in the go-ahead touchdown, and with less than 30 seconds remaining, the defense sealed the win.
Jacob Berneathy, the nephew of La Porte Head Coach Kevin Berneathy, applied critical pressure on Deer Park’s quarterback, Hayden LaFrenz, on a 4th-and-goal play at the 22-yard line. LaFrenz’s desperation throw was intercepted by junior Cade Watson, securing the Bulldogs’ 35-31 victory.
A Historic Win
This win marked the first time in five years that the Bulldogs triumphed over Deer Park in the Border Battle rivalry, making it a sweet and historic victory for the La Porte community.
Capturing the Moment
ABC13 sports producer Joe Gleason captured all the excitement and energy from the game, providing a glimpse into the unforgettable rivalry that has captivated La Porte for decades.
