Photo by Mark Mulligan/Staff photographer Houston Chronicle
For the last three seasons, North Shore has the same story. Focus and win.
The nation’s No 2 ranked team is one victory away from defending its third consecutive state title. However, you won’t hear these words from coach Kay or his players. It’s one game at a time.
“We never look ahead,” said Mustangs’ quarterback Dematrius Davis. “Ridge Point is our opponent this week, and that’s who we focus on all week.”
Competing in week 15 for the third straight season, the Mustangs ran wild. Davis had a hand in five touchdowns in crushing Ridge Point, 49-14 in the Class 6A Division I Region III quarterfinals on Friday evening at Galena Park ISD Stadium.
North Shore (14-0) will meet Austin Westlake/Cibolo Steele’s winner in the semifinals next Saturday at Legacy Stadium at 2:00 P.M.
Davis shined, finishing 6-of-9 for 156 yards and two scores. He added 92 rushing yards on 13 carries and three touchdowns. Xavier Owens finished with 93 yards on four carries, one touchdown, Rashad Johnson picked up 98 yards on eight carries. Shadrach Banks caught two passes for 108 yards and a score. Charles king grabbed three balls for 36 yards and a touchdown.
The Panthers would not contain the Davis as he had his way, completing passes, rushing, and handing off the ball to a group of talented ball carriers. Which include Brannon Davis, Daveon Ford, Xavier Owens, and Rashaad Johnson.
“I love the way we’re utilizing the running backs right now,” Kay said. “As a defensive coach in the past, it’s been amazing what fresh backs can do to you when you’re trying to call a defense, and our ability to rotate those kids in with little to no drop-off is special. We’re trying to utilize all the talent we have here, and we certainly have some kids who can play.”
After its first series, North shore scored on its next three possessions to build a 21-7 lead. Davis directed a six-play, 79-yard drive, as the Auburn signee call his number, darting 36 yards up the middle to the end zone with 5:01 left in the first quarter. The Mustangs led, 7-0.
The defensive unit of defensive ends Aaron Brown, Tai Leonard, linebacker Josh Garrett, defensive tackle Kris Ross forced a three and out on Ridge Point’s next frame.
That set up Davis’ 91-yard strike to Banks, increasing the lead, 14-0.
The Panthers (8-3) responded with a 73-yard scoring drive, which started on a sour note when Garrett chased tailback Keith Jackson, who rushed for 96 yards on 18 carries, out of bounds for a loss of seven-yards at the 20-yard line. Yet, quarterback Bert Emanuel, Jr. connected with receiver Micah Ceaser at the Mustangs 45. Following, Emanuel took a carry left, beating the defense to the edge as he burned the sideline for a 45-yard score, cutting North Shore lead, 14-7 with 2:16 left in the first quarter.
Right before halftime, Emanuel, Jr. took a nasty hit from Mustang’s defensive back Denver Harris. He appeared raised and did not return to action in the second half.
“They are a great football team,” North Shore coach Kay said. “Anytime you are in the playoffs this late, you are here for a reason.”
The bitter-sweet moments eventually took its toll on Ridge Points’ defense as it sacked Davis three times. However, Davis had an answer for every question North Shore faced.
Also, Mustangs’ defense sacked Emanuel, Jr. four times.
Defensive lineman Jimmy Guy sacked Davis, opening North Shore’s third frame. The temporary setback watched Davis turn to the running game, handing the ball off to Johnson and Owens. Davis later scored on an 18-yard run, giving the Mustangs a two-score lead, 21- 7 with 10:42 left in the second quarter.
North Shore bumped up its defensive pressure as Garrett, Ross, Brown sacked Emanuel three times over its next four series to hold Ridge Point to seven halftime points.
Banks, who had two punt returns for 83 yards, returned one to the Ridge Point 35. A play later, Johnson exploded up the middle to increase the lead, 28-7 with 2:20 to go in the second quarter.
Fans watched more of the same in the second half as fit witnessed North Shore scoring on its first two drives and Garrett’s 42-yard pick-six with no time left in the third quarter. The score swell, 49-14.
Later in the fourth quarter, Owens added the exclamation point, sprinting 54-yard to the end zone to round out the scoring, 56-14.
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