Photo by Andre Odums/Ossports
Aldine – When discussing high school football within the largest classification (6A) in South Texas, North Shore is a prominent name. The Jautternaunt has established a record that is unparalleled among teams in Southeast Texas. Since 2015, the Mustangs have reached the state finals on seven occasions, securing championships in 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2021.
A defense that has garnered admiration from its supporters, as it stifled Austin Lake Travis with a score of 28-6, while senior quarterback Kaleb Maryland achieved three touchdowns on Saturday evening during the UIL Class 6A Division I Semifinals at W.W. Thorne Stadium.
“Our defense played great,” stated Mustangs coach Willie Gaston. “Dominating a great offensive team was special.”
With the victory, the Mustangs (13-2) will face Duncanville, who defeated Allen, 31-7, for the sixth time at AT&T Stadium on Saturday at 3pm.
Defensive end Za’Qwaun Nunn spearheaded the defense with three sacks, bringing his season total to 20. Kobe Charles, Jayden Curry, and Lynell Hunter, who collectively restricted the undefeated Cavaliers to a mere 47 total yards and forced two turnovers, added support.
It was a challenging day for quarterback Luke McBride and Lake Travis (14-1), who struggled throughout the evening against a defense that stifled the run game and a secondary that limited the Cavaliers to just three completions.
Lake Travis hoped its average of 409.6 points per game would assist them, but the day turned into a catastrophe.
Maryland emerged as the key player on offense, achieving three rushing touchdowns. He shrugged off a significant blow during his four-yard touchdown run, providing North Shore (13-2) with all the scoring it required, leading 7-3 with 6:24 left in the second quarter following Daniel Cruz’s successful bonus kick.
“It’s rewarding,” Maryland spoke. Working hard to get back to state.
Maryland’s scrambling ability created problems for the Cavalier defense, which concedes an average of 12.3 points per game.
Kicker Braydon Doane put Lake Travis (14-1) on the scoreboard first with a 42-yard field goal with 11:52 left in the second quarter. He later added a 35-yard field goal with 8:35 remaining.
Omari Demerson forced a fumble by striking quarterback Luke McBride during his throwing motion. Dezmon Christian recovered the ball at the Cavaliers’ one-yard line. This led to Maryland’s second touchdown, extending North Shore’s lead to 13-3.
Late in the second quarter, Maryland found an opening and raced 44 yards to the end zone, contributing to the Mustangs’ 20-3 lead.
Lake Travis struggled to find its rhythm as the game spiraled out of control when running back Kaden Brandley crossed the goal line on a three-yard run, extending the Mustangs’ deficit to 28-6.
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