Memorial running back Nick Hernandez (24) gets caught in a maze of La Porte defenders while teammate Taylor McCoy (64) tries to rip open a hole.
BULLDOGS APPLY BATTERING RAM IN 35-7 VICTORY
DEER PARK -- A stable of La Porte rushers patiently worn down Memorial's thin defense Friday night, providing the Bulldogs with 35-7 victory over the Mavericks in a Class 5A Division II first-round game at Abshier Stadium.
Quarterback Josh Vidales teammed with backs Keith Whitely, Johnathan Lewis and Taejon Wearen to account for 331 yards on the ground - although none of the four had more than 88 yards.
All four players scored touchdowns as the Bulldogs extended a 14-0 halftime lead to 35-0 midway through the fourth quarter.
The Mavericks avoided the shutout with 2:13 left in the game when backup quarterback Jordan Wyatt scored from 14 yards out.
Memorial received only light support from its leading rusher, senior Chris Cargile, a 1,000-yard contributor this season. Cargile injured an ankle two weeks ago and his limitations were evident in the Mavericks' loss to South Houston last week and again against the Bulldogs.
The Mavericks finished the season with a 3-8 record, two of the victories coming in district play and providing just enough margin to make the playoffs.
La Porte, the District 21-5A champion, advance with a 10-1 mark.
Nick Hernandez led the Memorial offense with 92 yards rushing on 11 carries.
Whitely led the Bulldogs with 88 yards on eight carries. Wearen tacked on 87 yards, Lewis 80 and Vidales 76.
Whitely ran 50 yards for a score less than two minutes into the second half as La Porte staked out a 21-0 lead. Less than four minutes later, Vidales scored his second TD of the game on a 25-yard run. He earlier scored from 11 yards out.
La Porte defenders Hoza Scott (20) and Cameron Whilley (45) put the brakes on Memorial's Reggie Turner after a short gain.
Memorial quarterback Greg Gallardo scans the field in search of a receiver.
La Porte running back Johnathan Lewis clears right end and heads for the sideline as Memorial's Aaron Robinson (11) gives chase.
Mavericks defensive back Jordan Wyatt breaks up a deep pass intended for La Porte's Aaron Nance-Garrett inside the Memorial 10-yard line.
La Porte quarterback Josh Vidales scrambles for short yardage after fielding a botched snap.
Memorial's Adrian Boutte finds a crease inside of a pancake block by Dorian Johnson (left) and a roll block by Ahrmon Mcleod (27).
Mavericks receiver Brandon Thomas squirms for a first down after catching a pass and turning upfield.
Mavericks' high-water mark: Memorial's Chris Cargile is stop short of a first down on a four-and-one play deep in La Porte territory midway through the second quarter. The Bulldogs quickly doubled their 7-0 lead before the half and never looked back.
GAME ALBUM
