Brennen Long praised Crown Point’s defense.
The performance still wasn’t enough to contain the senior running back and LaPorte’s high-powered offense.
Long had a rushing touchdown and caught another Friday night as the Slicers posted a 34-16 Duneland Athletic Conference win over the visiting Bulldogs.
“That’s a heck of a defense,” Long said. “They gave us the toughest time all year. But our offense just never gives up. I credit the offensive line. I love them and they love me.”
Long rushed for 79 yards on 19 carries.
Nolan Lorenz had two TD passes, including a 53-yarder to Scott Cooper, and ran for a 47-yard TD for the Slicers (7-0, 5-0), who are ranked No. 9 in Class 6A. Lorenz, a junior quarterback, had 114 yards on nine carries.
“The passes were definitely open,” Lorenz said. “We didn’t execute a couple, but we were able to get two touchdowns. The keeps outside are always there.”
Drayson Nespo added 97 yards on 14 carries for the Slicers, whose coach did a double-take when he saw 34 points on the scoreboard.
“Crown Point’s defense is as good as advertised,” Dave Sharpe said. “They stifled our inside run as well as anybody. But we played well in the alleys. … I’m pleased we were able to adapt offensively.”
Crown Point coach Kevin Enright was relatively happy with the way the Bulldogs (2-5, 1-4) played defense.
“We made them earn their points,” he said. “That’s a good thing.”
The Bulldogs used the Wildcat formation for much of the game before they fell behind. Tyler Gomez, who missed last week’s game with an ankle injury, rushed for 46 yards on 11 carries. Grayson Lynk threw a 78-yard TD pass to Shane McCormick.
But Crown Point also had a 41-yard TD pass called back because of a holding infraction as the Bulldogs committed 14 penalties for 120 yards.
More Top Picks Best Google Pixel Phones
“It’s weird because the last couple weeks we had about 10 penalty yards,” Enright said. “(Friday) we were all over the place.
“But they’re a better football team at this point — they just are.”
LaPorte is 7-0 for the first time since 1946, setting up a showdown next week against rival Michigan City.
Twitter @MichaelOsipoff