North Shore recalled its 2023 showdown with the Panthers. Duncanville overpowered the Mustangs, 49-33, that year in what has become an annual rivalry. Most of the current players were not on the roster that season.

Maintaining its advantage, the Mustangs held on to defeat Duncanville, 10-7, in the UIL Class 6A Division I Finals on Saturday evening at AT&T Stadium.

Following the victory, North Shore (14-2) leads the series of state championship meetings, 4-2.

After a scoreless first half, the momentum shifted as senior quarterback Kaleb Maryland threw a 44-yard touchdown to Jaylen Bocard, putting the Mustangs ahead. Kicker Daniel Cruz then drilled a 27-yard field goal with 9:53 left in the fourth quarter, extending North Shore’s lead to 10-0.

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Earlier, with 4:12 left in the third quarter, Maryland orchestrated a breathtaking six-play, 72-yard drive, capped by a picturesque scoring pass to a streaking Bocard. The touchdown sent North Shore fans into a frenzy as it seized a 7-0 lead, following Cruz’s extra point kick.

Maryland, floored during the play, did not immediately see the touchdown. When he saw Bocard celebrating in the end zone, excitement took over, marking a turning point for both teams and its supporters.

Midway through the fourth quarter, the Panthers forced a punt. They marched 70 yards with the help of it’s running game and timely passes. Trenton Yancey spotted Zac Turner for a daring 32-yard touchdown, energizing the Panthers. This trimmed the deficit to 10-7 with 5:00 left. But that was as close as they got.

Quarterback J’Coryon Rivers led the drive much like Maryland did. He executed the Panthers’ offense, handed the ball off, and passed to Turner and Yancey. The drive penetrated deep into North Shore’s territory.  

“I’m excited for them, and I don’t take it for granted.” Mustangs coach Willie Gaston explained.

The Mustangs forced a punt and took over at its 42-yard line with 3:07 left in the third quarter. Maryland led a balanced attack, alternating runs and passes, advancing to the Duncanville 9. A holding penalty pushed them back to the 19, but Cruz connected on a 27-yard field goal. This expanded the lead to 10-7. 

Despite staring at a 10-0 deficit late in the game, Duncanville (12-2) refused to give up.

The comeback chance arose as Duncanville drove to the Mustangs’ 26, but the drive stalled on Rivers’ incomplete fourth-down pass and North Shore erupted in celebration.

Both defenses dominated. Still, Maryland threw for 154 yards. Receiver Jaylen Bocard caught four passes for 79 yards and earned the offensive MVP honor.

“Coach Cross puts these kids in good positions to make plays,” Gaston said. “It’s just unbelievable. I’m just proud of our whole defensive staff.”

Fans saw a tense first-half defensive duel. Neither offense found its rhythm. Duncanville reached North Shore’s 16, but the drive ended when Guillory, who racked up ten tackles, intercepted River

North Shore’s defense dominated the night. They forced two turnovers, recorded two sacks, and held the Panthers to 97 first-half yards. This set an impenetrable tone and fueled its state title dreams. Defensive MVP Tony Guillory and defensive end Za’Qwaun Nunn led the defense.

Meanwhile, Coach Willie Gaston picks up his first state win and adds to the school’s collection of five titles (2003, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021).

A season that began with a twist saw the Mustangs fall to South Oak Cliff, 41-31, who defeated Randle, 35-19, for the 5A Division II crown in the first game, and ended with a loss to district rival Summer Creek, 28-0. That loss changed playoff expectations as many doubted the Mustangs’ invincibility.

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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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