Friday night lights up again
Shadow Creek football team members emerge from the tunnel before their game against North Shore on Friday evening at Freedom Field in Iowa Colony.
The first-ever matchup between Manvel and Dickinson was one of the most anticipated games of the opening week of high school football in Houston.
The Mavericks and Gators did not disappoint.
Dickinson, ranked No. 10 in the Class 6A Houston Media High School Football Poll, took the lead for good late in the fourth quarter and held on for a wild 45-42 victory at Sam Vitanza Stadium.
Manvel, the No. 1 area-ranked 5A team, got the scoring started midway through the opening quarter and kept the Gators at arm’s length throughout the first half. Dickinson finally broke through for the 27-23 halftime lead, however, when Kaleb Walker returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown.
The teams were tied at 29 early in the third quarter before four lead changes that left Manvel ahead 42-38 with less than five minutes remaining in the game. The final touchdown from the Mavericks came from running back De’Monte Seymore, who reached the end zone four times.
The Gators refused to back down, however, and with less than two minutes to play, quarterback Luke Martin connected with Layton Paul from 17 yards out for the go-ahead touchdown.
After driving down the field on the ensuing possession, Manvel had a chance to tie the game with a 24-yard field goal attempt. The kick missed, however, and the Gators prevailed.
Davenport, Spring take down Travis
Spring is looking to leave its mark as one of the top teams in the city this year.
There’s a lot of work left to be done. But, so far, so good.
The No. 4 area-ranked Lions successfully defended their home turf at Planet Ford Stadium with a 38-17 victory over Fort Bend Travis.
Spring was led by senior quarterback Bishop Davenport, who accounted for three touchdowns. He reached paydirt once on the ground and connected with Travis Sims Jr. twice through the air.
Sims also had a touchdown run in the second quarter as the Lions built a 21-3 halftime lead.
Spring has now won 16 of its last 18 games dating back to the 2019 season.
Session, Ridge Point roll past Pearland
No. 12 area-ranked Ridge Point took care of business on the road with a 41-13 victory over Pearland. It was the ninth win in 10 games for the team dating back to last season.
Marvin Session was the star of the show for Ridge Point. The senior had a 66-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 67-yard fumble return for a score.
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Tomball Memorial wins stadium opener
Tomball Memorial collected a victory in the first game played at the new Tomball ISD Stadium, beating Nimitz 54-10 at the $37.29 million venue.
The new digs are the shared home venue for both high schools in the district. The stadium holds up to 10,000 spectators, including 6,000 on the home side, and also features an event space.
The Wildcats, who finished 11-1 last season, trailed 7-0 early before tallying 54 unanswered points. Junior quarterback Reed Odell accounted for five total touchdowns, including four passing.
Klein Forest, Bradley romp at Goose Creek
Klein Forest running back Kendrick Bradley opened the season in style Thursday night during the Golden Eagles’ 28-12 road victory over Goose Creek Memorial. The senior rushed for 274 yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries. He scored on runs of 58, 82, 3 and 14 yards, respectively.
Fort Bend Marshall crushes Eisenhower
State-ranked Fort Bend Marshall looked the part — and then some — on Thursday as the team opened its season with a 68-34 victory over Eisenhower at Hall Stadium.
Marshall, the No. 2 team in the state for Class 5A Division II, reached the end zone early and often as new starting quarterback Ja’koby Banks and five-star receiver Chris Marshall set the tone. The two connected on a 57-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage to get things started.
Banks, a junior, found Marshall for a 38-yard score later in the game also rushed for three touchdowns as the Buffalos reached 60-plus points for the 11th time since the 2019 season started.
Marshall will take on Elkins next week for its non-district finale.
The Buffalos begin their District 11-5A title defense at Galena Park on Sept. 9.