North Shore has a new head coach in Jon Kay but expects to keep winning.
First-year North Shore football coach Jon Kay must love challenges.
Not only is he replacing a high school coaching legend in David Aymond, Kay is starting with a strenuous non-district schedule. The Mustangs play the Chronicle’s No. 2 and No. 3 preseason teams — Westfield and Manvel, respectively — and three-time state champion Euless Trinity.
Kay, who has spent 18 years at North Shore, the last 15 as defensive coordinator, was groomed for this role by Aymond, who stepped down after 20 seasons to become Galena Park ISD boys athletic director.
“Working and having a seat here the last 18 years, and the opportunities he gave me, has really prepared me for this transition,” Kay said. “It’s not quite coming in cold, where you don’t know the situation, know the kids, know the logistics.”
At least the Mustangs, historically one of the Houston area’s premier football programs, have the talent to combat the opposition.
“I’m pretty confident we’re going to do well in those three games,” said Mustangs defensive end Emeke Egbule (6-3, 205), who is committed to the University of Houston. “Euless Trinity, this is my first year hearing about them, and I’m excited to play them too, because everybody talks about how good they are, how big they are. I want to see for myself.”
Egbule, who has been moved from tight end, is one of many returning stars for the Mustangs, who have made the playoffs each of the past 20 years. Tristian Houston (60, 190), who is committed to the University of Texas, rushed for 1,579 yards and 19 touchdowns for a 12-1 team in 2013.
“We can get to where we want to be,” said defensive end Dorance Armstrong (6-3, 215), who led the team in sacks last season. “It’s a great feeling to keep building on to that tradition.”
Egbule and Armstrong played on North Shore’s state championship bas- ketball team last season. Egbule will play some offense, but it is defense where he is needed most.
“We really felt like as an every-down player, he can impact the team a little more on the defensive side,” Kay said.
The defense was hit hard by graduation at linebacker. The most experience is in the secondary, headlined by Eric Monroe, Derec Burks and Jordan Martinez.
Garrett Cross has been promoted to defensive coordinator and will continue to utilize a 4-3 scheme. The big changes are on offense, with four new coaches. First-year offensive coordinator Troy Rogers is implementing the spread, an offense the Mustangs have tinkered with in the past.
“This is really the first time since I’ve been here that we’ve kind of burned the boats as far as putting in this offense and this is what we’re going to do,” Kay said. “And we haven’t looked back. That’s the direction we’re going. We’re all in on this up-tempo, spread offense.”
The question: Who will run the offense? Junior quarterback Maciah Long is being pushed by senior Myron James. Whoever doesn’t start will be on the field as a receiver.
Darius Mouton, who had three interceptions last year, has moved from cornerback to inside receiver.
Tyler Moore anchors the offensive line. Moore, who is 6-4 and has dropped from 345 pounds to 310, will play either center or guard.
“We were more of a power-running offense — one back, run straight at you,” Moore said. “It’s different. We’re mixing in a little power, read-option game but spreading the field out at the same time. It’s easy to learn. It’s effective.”
North Shore has a new head coach and a new offensive scheme that was put into place in June, and it lost 15 starters. But there’s plenty of team speed, and it should be business as usual for the Mustangs, who under Aymond had more than 180 players sign college scholarships.
“I’m expecting a lot from this offense this year,” Houston said. “People think we’re not going to be that great because we lost a lot from the offensive side, but they don’t know what we’re doing out here.”
Key players
Tristian Houston:
The senior tailback, who has size and speed, is coming off two outstanding seasons.
Dorance Armstrong: A long defensive end who, when teamed with Emeke Egbule at the other end, provides a fierce pass rush.
Tyler Moore: One of only two starters returning on the offensive line, the three-year starter is leaning toward Texas for his college choice. Key games
Sept. 19 vs. Euless Trinity: A stern test before the district schedule. Coach Jon Kay had requests to move the game to an even bigger venue, but he wants this one on campus.
Nov. 7 vs. Port Arthur Memorial: There should be plenty at stake in the regular-season finale.
Last year
Another district title for the Mustangs, who finished 12-1 and reached the Division I regional semifinals. Richard Dean is a freelance writer.