Photo by Tammie Martin/ossports
Katy – The five-time defending 6A Division I champion answered all questions as it took on its second consecutive area ranked opponent.
North Shore built a 20-0 lead in the first two quarters, and senior quarterback Dematrius Davis, Jr. had a hand in all seven touchdowns in dispatching undefeated Katy Tompkins, 47-22 in the Class 6A Division I regional semifinals on Thursday evening at Legacy Stadium.
The victory ushered the Mustangs into the regional finals for the sixth straight season, where it will face the winner of Atascocita/Ridge Point next Friday at 2:00 P.M. at Galena Park ISD Stadium.
Many words can describe Davis’ evening, who completed 14-of-18 for 302 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He picked up 84 yards on 12 carries and four scores. Battery mate receiver Shadrach Banks caught 11 balls for a whopping 251 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Charles King snagged three receptions for 51 yards and a score.
Despite a clear, beautiful sunny day, both teams fought through high winds and a temperature of 50, which felt more like 30 degrees.
The early afternoon unfolded with Davis and the Mustangs answering all calls and making any necessary adjustments. Experience has taken the future Auburn quarterback around this block the last three and a half years. Possession after possession, Davis created open lanes when it did not appear and stood in the pocket with success through the air.
Sophomore running back Rashaad Johnson’s 17-yard run to the Mustangs 49 led to the decisive score. After Johnson penetrated to the Tompkins 43, Banks, an A&M commit, reeled in a pair of balls from Davis. The second catch stood for a 28-yard score as Banks got around a defender and tight roped the sideline to the end zone, increasing North Shores lead, 26-7 with 5:13 left in the second quarter.
North Shore (13-0) added to its lead on its first possession of the third quarter when it moved 90-yards in ten plays, capped on Davis’ 23-yard touchdown run to make the score 33-7.
Following, Falcons’ running back Marquis Shoulders, who rushed for 163 yards on 18 carries, returned the kickoff 76-yards, cutting into the lead, 33-14 after Hunter Huckaby’s extra point kick.
After, Tompkins (10-1) came up with the defensive stop it needed when defensive lineman Justin Bevrotte intercepted Davis at the Falcons’ 22 and returned the ball four yards to the 26. And after a series of penalties, the Falcons’ offensive line opened a hole that watched Shoulders race 85 yards to put the finishing touches on a drive that pulled it within 11 points, 33-22 with 10:07 remaining.
But Davis and company quickly erased the thoughts of a comeback when it completed a double reverse 20-yard pass to Banks at the Tompkins 32. Two plays later, Brannon Davis took a carry to the three-yard line, and Davis executed his third rushing touchdown of the day, pushing the Mustangs back to a three-score lead, 40-22 with 8:31 left in the fourth quarter.
Following a three and out, the Mustangs increased its deficit, 47-22 on Davis’ fourth and final rushing score of the evening.
Tompkins would turn the ball over on its final frame, and Davis closed the game by kneeling on first and second down to run out the clock.
In the early stages of the contest, North Shore’s defense made up of mostly juniors, including upfront, Jacoby Brass, Tai Leonard, Kris Ross, Ronald Wilson, and senior defensive end Aaron Brown, who recorded a sack to set the tone. It’s secondary of Jacoby Davis, Caleb Flagg, Denver Harris, and linebacker Kent Battle added extreme pressure cleaning up the run and the airways.
Mustangs defense held Alabama signee Jalen Milroe to 50 yards passing on 10-of-21 attempts, one touchdown, an interception, and held the star quarterback in check on the ground, rushing six times for minus 11 yards.
It also provided the time to get its offense on track as Davis guided the Mustangs 89 yards in seven plays, scoring his first of four rushing touchdowns. North Shore led, 6-0 after a failed extra-point kick.
Battle picked off Milroe at the Mustangs 45. However, Bevrotte strip-sacked Davis, returning the favor as Tompkins recovered the loose ball at the North Shore 42 but could make nothing of it.
The Mustangs took advantage of its opportunities, forcing a three and out when Flagg chased Shoulders out of bounds for a four-yard loss.
That led to an 80-yard scoring pass from Davis to Banks, who nabbed the short reception, made a couple of juke moves, and off to the races, giving North Shore a 13-0 lead with 1:50 left in the first quarter after Stephen Guzman’s extra point kick.
The Mustangs defense continued to dominate until midway through the second quarter. But Davis would make the Falcons pay when he found King behind the defense, which accounted for a 41-yard touchdown strike, inflated its lead, 20-0.
Meanwhile, Tompkins showed why its record was unblemished when Milroe directed a four-play, 68-yard scoring drive, finished on an 18-yard touchdown toss to Shoulders, trimming the deficit, 20-7.
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