North Shore knocks off Ridge Point to reach state semifinals.
UndefeatedMustangs roll past Panthers to reach third straight state semifinal game
New Year, same North Shore results.
The Mustangs, ranked No. 2 nationally by MaxPreps, snared their third straight regional title and 29th consecutive victory in a 56-14 win over Ridge Point on Friday at Galena Park ISD Stadium in the 6A Division I Region III final.
“Any time you get an opportunity to represent the city of Houston, especially in the Division I bracket, you’ve got to pause to appreciate it,” North Shore coach Jon Kay said. “It’s a special accomplishment for these kids, a special accomplishment for this community, and I hope everybody understands they’re a huge part of it.”
North Shore (14-0) hasn’t lost since Aug. 29, 2019, against Katy.
It avenged that 24-21 setback in a 56-35 win over the Tigers in the 2019 playoffs en route to its second straight state championship.
Next up is Cibolo Steele (9-3) or Austin Westlake (11-0) in the state semifinals at 2 p.m. Jan. 9 at Legacy Stadium.
Ridge Point ended its deepest 6A playoff run at 8-3.
“They’re a good football team,” Kay said. “They’re playing at this time for a reason, and coach (Rick) LaFavers and his staff do an unbelievable job.”
North Shore quarter
back Dematrius Davis, an Auburn signee, was only 3of-6 passing at halftime andwas sacked three times through three quarters — and the Panthers still couldn’t stop him.
Davis instead rushed for scores of 36 and18 yards in the first half and added a 34-yard touchdown run on the second play of the third quarter, giving the Mustangs a comfortable 35-7 advantage.
He also threw for 156 yards and two touchdowns.
“They played a little bit more man coverage than we were anticipating or they’ve shown before, but that’s what great teams do,” Kay said. “So they mixed it up on us a little bit, and had us off kilter, butwe regrouped.
“When you have experience like our kids, they’re able to identify (the defense), make some adjustments and then go out there and score some points.”
Davis’ first passing score went to 6-1, 225-pound wide receiver Shadrach Banks, who hauled in a short pass on a crossing pattern, split the defensive backs and pulled away for a 91-yard touchdown.
Banks, a Texas A&M signee, finished with two receptions for 108 yards, three carries for 37 yards and two long returns, including a 43-yard punt return that set up sophomore running back Rashaad Johnson’s 35-yard touchdown run for a 28-7 halftime lead.
“There were a couple times that we just couldn’t hem (Davis) up,” LaFavers said. “He’s Houdini back there, and he makes you pay. They hit us on a couple explosives, where we had some miscommunication coverage-wise, and Shadrach, man, for a big guy, is slippery, too — and fast.”
Down 14-0, Ridge Point showed its athleticism, too.
Quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr. completed a 35-yard strike to wide receiver Micah Ceaser, then went around the left side of North Shore’s defense on the next play for a 45-yard scoring run, trimming the deficit to seven.
But Emanuel didn’t return for the second half.
The junior absorbed a hard hit from defensive back Denver Harris at the goal line on the last play of
the second quarter and was slow to get up afterward. He stayed on the sideline the rest of the way.
“I can’t say enough about Bert, and his toughness and heart, and I look forward to a great offsea
son with him,” LaFavers said.
North Shore iced the game on linebacker Josh Garrett’s 42-yard interception return for a touchdown on the final play of the third quarter. The defense also sacked Emanuel four times, led by two from defensive tackle Kris Ross.
“We did some great things in the kicking game to set us up with some great field position, and to get that defensive touchdown was icing on the cake,” Kay said.
Ridge Point finished with 259 yards and 10 first downs.
Keith Jackson, who had a 70-yard touchdown run in the third, finished with 96 yards on 18 carries.
The Mustangs generated 545 yards and 19 first downs. Seven different ball carriers combined for 383 yards on 44 rushes.
“I love the way we’re utilizing the running backs right now,” Kay said. “As a defensive guy 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.”