Keep the focus on the game of the week, and do not look ahead, are the words North Shore’s Coach Kay and his players live by each week.
Junior quarterback Dematrius Davis accounted for more than 400 yards and six touchdowns and the Mustang’s second-half defensive surge allowed it to run away with a 56-35 decision over Katy on Friday evening in the Class 6A Division I Region III Semi-Finals at NRG Stadium.
“It wasn’t over until it was over. But, its what we expected”, said a group of unidentified fans.
“We knew we would be in a war,” said North Shore coach Jon Kay. Every time we get together (Katy vs. North Shore), it’s never easy.”
After Katy scored back-to-back touchdowns within 2:16 seconds left, the momentum shifted and gave the Tigers a spark, so it seemed as it trailed 42-35 with 3:21 left in the third quarter. However, North Shore (12-1) calmly kept its composure as Davis and the team responded to all of Katy’s scoring drives.
Again Davis, who used the field like a ping pong table, aided the Mustangs by guiding it on two straight scoring drives to regain a three-score lead, 56-35. Initiating a possession at the Katy’s 48, Davis ripped off 37 yards on a pair of carries, setting up a first and ten from the 11-yard line. On the next play, Davis dropped back in the pocket and spotted uprising junior receiver Charles King in the end zone for the score.
“Their quarterback did a great job,” Katy’s coach Gary Joseph explained. “We had him pinned up several times. He made big plays for them.”
North Shore’s defense supported in the trenches as well as the secondary. On several occasions late in the second half, North Shore’s secondary provided tight coverage while it’s front seven blissed, forcing McClelland to get rid of the ball quicker than he desired.
“They got after us on defense,” Joseph mentioned. “Credit North Shore. They came out and played, and we knew they would.”
Although Katy matched the Mustangs on its first three scores, Davis, who piled up 283 rushing yards on 21 carries, had a hand in six touchdowns, including completing 8-of-12 passing for 134 yards through the air. Zach Evans carried the ball 23 times for 115 yards and two touchdowns. King added four catches totaling 65 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
“Most people think he’s an athlete, but Davis is a quarterback, who loves to be in the pocket, but he can hurt you with his legs,” added coach Kay.
Without the aid of injured four-star receiver Shadrach Banks, Davis had little trouble running through, around, and finding air space to dismantle the Tigers on multiple big-plays. His big day concluded with 417 yards of total offense as North Shore avenged an early-season loss to the Tigers, 24-21.
For the Tigers (12-1), it turned into an unfortunate visit with a well-known foe. In the past two seasons, both have faced off four times with North Shore walking away with three victories. It also pushed North Shore into the quarterfinal round of the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
McClelland completed 9-of-17 passes for 138 yards, and two touchdowns and receiver Steven Stiles grabbed three receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown for the Tigers.
Katy trailed the entire game and scored its first touchdown to tie the game at 7 with 2:02 left in the first quarter after Tigers junior quarterback Bronson McClelland put the finishing touches on a 3-play, 80-yard drive. McClelland hooked up with receiver Stiles, who streaked uncovered down the right sideline for the score. (Start Here
After, both teams would trade a pair of scores to knot the game at 21 with 3:56 left in the second quarter.
“When the score was tied at 21, the same thing was on our minds when the game started, execute, and we knew we had to finish,” North Shore’s middle linebacker Corey Flagg said.
But soon after, defensive back Marcus Cockrell returned the kickoff to the Tigers 40-yard line. After Davis suffered a sack, resulting in a three-yard loss, he connected with a King twice on the drive. Once at the 26 for a crucial first down and finally a 25-yard scoring toss, making the score, 28-21 following the extra point kick with 1:48 left before intermission.
On its next possession, Katy set up at its 25-yard line, searching for a spark. Senior running back Ron Hoff carried the ball on three consecutive plays resulting in a one-yard loss as fans watched the Mustangs take a time out and orchestrate its last touchdown of the half.
“Coach Garrett Cross is a great defensive coordinator and puts us in a great position,” Flagg commented. “We knew it would be a physical matchup.”
A 15-yard pass interference infraction fueled Davis’ 48-yard touchdown strike to senior receiver Ismael Fuller. That completed the first-half scoring with North Shore holding a 35-21 advantage.
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