NS Mustangs defeat Katy Tigers 49-38
By Allan Jamail
Friday, November 30, 2018, at NRG Stadium, the football game between two of the state’s topped ranked teams ended with the North Shore Mustangs knocking-out the Katy Tigers 49 to 38 in the regional semifinal showdown. This makes twice this season Katy lost to North Shore in their annual rivalry.
A year ago on December 9, 2017, at NRG Stadium, it was the Katy Tigers who prevailed 31 – 3 in the playoffs to payback the North Shore Mustangs for having defeated the Tigers the previous year on November 25, 2016, in a 20-17 regional final showdown.
Jon Kay, North Shore’s coach, had the Mustangs sharply focused both offensively and defensively, so the Tigers could never gain the upper hand or momentum. There were star performances on both sides of the ball, as it has been all season, which explains their 13-0 undefeated season.
The Tigers team ran threw a huge banner on the field which read, “You laughed at our setback, but you’re not ready for our comeback.” The Mustangs made sure there’d be no Katy comeback, and it fired up the Mustangs more than it did the intended Tigers.
On the first play of the game Mustangs quarterback Dematrius Davis threw a 61 yard laser pass to Shadrach Banks rattling the Tigers and shutting down their chanting fans. That wasn’t the end for the Davis and Banks combination; Davis hits Banks again for a 29 yard touchdown strike with 6 minutes still in the first quarter, making it a 14-0 Mustang lead, and again for a third touchdown pass before halftime.
Another Katy banner read, “Challenges, everyone has them, but Katy CONQUERS them.” The Mustangs made the banner’s author regret having made that boast by scoring more points on the Tigers in a playoff game in 13 years. The Mustangs offense made 7 touchdowns from, Shadrach Banks (3), Chance Pillar, Jordan Revels, Zach Evans and Upton Stout. They had made 500 yards, 341 passing yards, 159 running yards. Kicker John Villalobos again was flawless making all 7 extra points.
Mustangs defense has so many standout players there’s too many to mention them all. Defensive lineman Jordan Revels and teammates shutdown Katy’s running game stopping Deondrick Glass, one of colleges highly sought after running backs. On an offensive play in the third quarter Revels caught a 13 yard Davis pass which showed his all-around talents. The same 245 pound defensive tackle Revels last week intercepted a pass and ran it back for a 55 yard touchdown.
To seal the victory with 4 minutes of the fourth quarter remaining Mustang defensive back Upton Stout intercepted a Tiger pass and ran for a 51 yard touchdown. At this point more than half of the Katy fans began pouring out of the stadium.
North Shore Mustangs 13 – 0 will now play Cy-Fair Bobcats 11 -2 Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 6 PM at NRG Stadium Class in the 6A, Division 1 Region 3 Finals.