If my mom had purchased a home six or seven houses down the street on Lambuth Lane in Deer Park, Texas, I would have lived within the Deer Park Independent School District. I'd forever be a Deer Park Deer. Because of where the school district lines were drawn, I attended La Porte High School, Baker Junior High and even College Park Elementary while living as a resident of Deer Park. All LPISD schools. Later, I even attended college while living in Deer Park. I grew up around Deer Park kids. I love and respect both communities.
However, I am proudly a La Porte Bulldog.
Each year, the varsity football teams from both these bordering Houston-area communities have met for more than six decades. While many people outside the area think we overstate this when we discuss the rivalry, they simply don't know. The week leading up to these games has historically included community and school pep rallies, bonfires, and more.
These aren't typical regular-season high school football games. And if La Porte just purchased a $56 million stadium, someone in Deer Park already has a plan for a new $56,000,001 stadium to replace Abshier. There is no way Deer Park families are driving to La Porte to watch the Deer lose in that mammoth place while they keep marching their kids to battle at Abshier. If you don't understand that, you most likely don't live in Deer Park or La Porte. You don't understand this rivalry.
Congrats, Bulldogs. The nostalgic part of me was initially upset a bit when I heard they were building a new stadium, not because I didn't want you to get a fantastic new place, but because that isn't the same stadium I graduated in. But after seeing the game Friday night, I realize that is the stadium I graduated in. It's just better. Much better.
It's a great day to be a Bulldog. While I've seen many Bulldogs vs. Deer games over the years, I don't know that I've seen one any more exciting than what I saw Friday night. Keep up the great work.
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