North Shore, Lake Travis set for 6A battle.
Receivers a key when Mustangs, Cavaliers meet for the first time
Shadrach Banks could have despaired or even disappeared. North Shore didn’t allow it.
The sensational sophomore receiver fumbled near the goal line while fighting for yards against Cy-Fair in the regional finals, but the Mustangs went right back to him on the first play of the next series. He delivered with a 45-yard reception, and his coaches ensured his involvement the rest of the way.
“(Offensive coordinator Willie Gaston’s) been in that situation, he’s from this community, he played in this program, and he knows these kids as well as anybody, so that definitely was intentional,” North Shore coach Jon Kay said.
“He said we’re going to go right back to him, and of course he did, and that got Shadrach to settle down. So the true genius of what coach Gaston brings isn’t necessarily the X-and-O play-calling, but understanding the makeup of these kids … and what’s needed to keep them in the game.”
Running back Zach Evans supplied all the touchdowns in the 38-21 win over Cy-Fair that sent North Shore to the Class 6A Division I semifinals for the first time since its 2015 championship run, but Banks, who finished with four catches for 87 yards, was there as a key decoy and downfield blocker.
It was another big step in the development of a playmaker well on his way to an outstanding career — kind of like the one Garrett Wilson, his Lake Travis counterpart, is close to wrapping up.
“They have several guys in the passing game who do a lot of damage,” Lake Travis coach Hank Carter said. “Obviously, (Banks) has done a lot the last couple games, but to me all of their skill players are very talented. The running back’s a terrific player, and I’m most impressed by their quarterback (Dematrius Davis).
“That’s what appears to be different for them from the past.”
The growth of North Shore’s passing game has made this year’s team the most explosive in the program’s history — the Mustangs average 54.4 points per game — and fueled its bid for a third state championship.
But Lake Travis isn’t going to lie down.
The Cavaliers are seeking their ninth state finals appearance and seventh state championship in 12 years. They won a state-record five in a row from 2007 to 2011 and claimed their first in 6A two years ago with a 41-14 victory over The Woodlands in the Division I final.
North Shore (14-0) and Lake Travis (13-1) meet for the first time at 2 p.m. Saturday at NRG Stadium.
“It’s great,” Kay said. “You read about Lake Travis, and any time you get a chance to play some of these programs throughout the state, it’s a great opportunity for the kids, whether they realize it or not.”
Carter understands the challenge awaiting his players, too.
“Coach Kay’s got a great program,” he said. “Those guys have been doing it right for a long time, and their kids are playing really well. We’re going to have to be at our best, because North Shore’s a great team.”
The loaded Lake Travis roster features Wilson, an Ohio State pledge; quarterback Hudson Card, who is verbally committed to Texas; safety Hunter Henry, a Rice commit; and defensive end Kaleb Wenson and offensive tackle Chad Wolf, who are undecided but expected to land somewhere.
The Cavaliers also have two 6-5 sophomores already drawing attention in tight end Lake McRee, who has a Tulsa offer, and backup QB Nate Yarnell, who received a Houston offer last summer.
But as Carter points out, every team left in the playoffs is loaded.
“It’s the 6A Division I high school football playoffs, and you’re down to the final four teams, so everybody’s got a lot of great players … and that’s how it’s supposed to be,” he said. “It’s a huge state, with 250plus 6A teams, and only the best of the best are left.”
North Shore features defensive lineman Corey Bradford, a Texas Tech commit who won the Touchdown Club of Houston’s UIL defensive player of the year award; defensive back Keeyon Stewart, who de-committed from Tech after Kliff Kingsbury was fired; and DB Dorian Hewett, a Syracuse pledge.
But three sophomores — Banks, Evans and Davis — are powering the offense.
“Our offensive staff has done a really good job of utilizing our kids and making people defend the entire field,” Kay said.
The 5-11, 190-pound Davis arguably is the best pure passer the program has produced. With his deft touch, he has thrown 33 touchdown passes to two interceptions on 72 percent passing.
Banks is taking advantage. The 6-0, 190-pound wideout has 43 receptions for 1,046 yards and 14 TDs in his first full season on varsity.
Kay said he’s a special talent, with the right combination of balance, strength and football IQ to excel at any level. With his big body and deceptive speed, Banks reminds Kay of Hines Ward, whose physical nature and passion for the game made him an NFL great with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“He’s one of the smartest football players, even at a young age, we’ve had here in a long time,” Kay said. “It’s to the point where he could probably get on the board and explain what every position needs to do every play.”
Carter feels the same way about Wilson, who has done it on the biggest stage. The 6-0, 181-pound receiver caught six passes for 75 yards and a TD in Lake Travis’ 41-13 win over The Woodlands for its sixth state title two years ago — when he was a precocious sophomore.
“He’s the best I’ve ever seen,” Carter said. “I’ve never coached an athletic talent like him, and I’ve never coached against a receiver who can do the things he can do … the way he can manipulate his body and get his hands on a football and make people miss after he does.”
Despite battling various injuries that have limited him to 10 games, Wilson boasts 66 receptions for 1,104 yards and 18 TDs. He posted 1,764 yards and 26 TDs on 96 receptions in 16 games last season.
“A lot of kids who are five-star prospects that are signing early and going to Ohio State in the spring wouldn’t be playing right now,” Carter said. “It’s a testament to his competitive drive. He wants to win a championship.”