North Shore, though victorious in their initial playoff matchups against Deer Park and Clear Springs, didn’t display the dominant form they’ve maintained throughout the season.
During the Deer Park game, heavy rainfall persisted, and North Shore led 14-7 at halftime. Despite punting seven times and a single fumble, they picked up momentum in the second half for a 42-14 win.
Similarly, against Clear Springs, the halftime score tied at 14, evening out again at 21 by the end of the third quarter. Despite two fumbles and punts, they clinched a 49-21 win.
However, in the Region III-6A Division I semifinal against Cy-Fair, the Mustangs exhibited a complete four-quarter dominance, securing a resounding 45-9 victory at NRG Stadium.
Defensive back Jarvon Coles expressed the team’s return to their true form after two games that didn’t reflect North Shore’s capabilities. They focused on speed and starting strong, evident in their performance against Cy-Fair.
With a perfect 13-0 record, North Shore aims to carry this momentum into the regional final against Atascocita (11-2) at Pasadena Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Their defense shone brightly, led by Coles with eight tackles and a sack. They pressured Texas quarterback commit Trey Owens, sacking him five times and limiting Cy-Fair to minimal offensive gains.
Quarterback Kaleb Bailey, injured in the Clear Springs game, rebounded impressively against Cy-Fair, amassing 315 passing yards and four touchdown throws, along with a 58-yard touchdown run.
Bailey connected with multiple receivers, notably Cameron Smith, who racked up 184 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
North Shore’s running back, De’Andre Hardeman, carried the team in the initial playoff games with consecutive 200-yard rushing performances and five touchdowns.
Despite their historical advantage against Atascocita, winning seven consecutive games in their series, North Shore aims to improve their first-half performance for a more formidable challenge.
This impressive display occurred on November 25, 2023, setting the stage for an exciting regional final clash.
