La Porte wins a defensive battle on a 30-yard field goal with 4:55 remaining.
La Porte's defense swarmed to the ball against Katy.
File photo by Greg Pierson
A stout defense and a late field goal allowed
La Porte (Texas) to hold off No. 4
Katy (Texas) 9-7 in an enormous Regional semifinal upset in the Texas 5A-II playoffs.
La Porte's defense shut out Katy in the second half, and kicker
Eric Medina nailed a 30-yard, go-ahead field goal late in the fourth quarter to stun Texas' top-ranked squad.
It was the first loss for Katy (12-1) on the season.
La Porte (12-1) got on the board first on a 14-yard touchdown grab by
Joshua Vidales with five minutes remaining in the first quarter. A botched snap on the PAT attempt left the score at 6-0.
Early in the second quarter, Katy and quarterback
Brooks Haack responded. Haack connected with receiver
Jordan Thompson for a 52-yard touchdown. Following the extra point, Katy led 7-6.
That score would remain into the fourth quarter, as both defenses shined.
After stopping Katy yet again in the fourth, La Porte put together its eventual game-winning drive behind running back
Keith Whitely. Whitely ripped off a long run that took La Porta inside Katy's red zone.
With 4:55 remaining, Medina's field goal sailed through the uprights to give La Porte a lead it would not relinquish.
The teams traded possessions, and Katy got the ball back at the 50 yard line with no timeouts and two minutes remaining. However, an interception sealed the victory for La Porte.
La Porte will now face Port Arthur Memorial in the 5A-II regional final next weekend.
