By Allan Jamail
Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 3 PM was a day that will go into history for the Galena Park ISD community. The Army National Guard, UIL and MaxPreps came together to bring the GPISD community a proud day. The event was billed as a Pep Rally and it surely was, as thousands of fans, family and students packed the stadium cheering their Mustangs.
The Master of Ceremonies was Casey Johnson, a North Shore High teacher who kept the program agenda moving forward and lively with his occasional encouragement and stirring up the crowd to get loud cheers for their Mustangs. The Mustang Nation was “in the house” and let it be known they love their East-Side Boys.
Terri Moore, Assistant Superintendent at Galena Park ISD, introduced elected officials who presented proclamations or resolutions honoring the team. Houston’s Mayor Sylvester Turner, Jacinto City’s Mayor Ana Diaz, Galena Park’s Mayor Esmeralda Moya, Senator Carol Alvarado, State Representative Ana Hernandez, County Commissioner Adrian Garcia, Constable Chris Diaz, GPISD Trustees Jeff Millier, Wilfred Broussard and Yuroba Harris, representing Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, who couldn’t attend. Mayors Turner and Ana Diaz proclaimed North Shore Mustang Day in their cities.
Bill Moore representing MaxPrep for Andy Beal, President and Founder, gave a press statement proclaiming the undefeated North Shore Mustangs 6A Division I number one in the nation. Maxprep is a CBS Sports Digital property, and it’s the online high school sports leader devoted exclusively to the coverage of high school sports, and uses an intricate program to determine team rank. The computer-based system utilizes the huge number of game results played nationwide each season. The Mustangs set a school record for most wins in a single season; evaluations included strength of schedule, talent, quality wins and returning starters, and to qualify for the Nation’s number one rank, you must have won a state championship.
The Mustangs trampled their opponents to the tune of a 41 point average margin of victory. They set a school record for most point scored in a season with 854 (53.4 average).
Allan Jamail, NC Star writer, asked Coach Kay for a prediction and goal for 2019. Kay said, “I can’t predict this far out. We’re losing some great senior talent, but we have a good crop of upcoming players we’ll work to develop to try to fill in for those we’re losing.
“My goal is to be the best we can be” Kay said.
He said any time you get recognition from two organizations with credibility such as MaxPrep and the Army National Guard, it’s a pretty humbling experience. We’re proud to be representing Texas football.
Dr. Angi Williams, Superintendent of Schools, and Vivian Dancy, Atheletic Director for GPISD, and Coach Kay’s assistant coaches should receive an unsung hero award for all they’ve contributed behind the scene to the success of the Champion Mustangs.
Jon Kay, Head Football Coach / Athletic Coordinator, Garrett Cross Defensive Coordinator – Linebackers, Steve Lewis, Defensive Line, Mike O’Guin, Defensive Line, Theadis Reagins, Defensive Backs (Corners), Nick Flores, Defensive Backs (Safeties), Joshua Pratt, Defensive Assistant, Willie Gaston, Offensive Coordinator-Quarterbacks, Cory Laxen, Offensive Line – Strength & Conditioning Coordinator, Caleb Butler, Offensive Line – Video Coordinator, Daniel Ragsdale, Inside Wide Receiver Coach, Joe Price, Outside Wide Receiver Coach – Football/Recruiting Operations, Sheldon Bennight, Running Backs Coach – Special Teams Coordinator, Freshman Staff, Ruben Amaya, Offensive/ Defensive Line, Lamon Atkins, Freshman Head Coach – Quarterbacks, Patrick Robertson, Freshman Defensive Secondary, Justin Isadore, Freshman Line backers /Wide Receivers, Training Staff, Tim Chavanne, Head Athletic Trainer, Samantha Nila, GPISD Sports Medicine Coordinator, Chris Ramirez, Athletic Trainer, (as taken from GPISD website).
Junior and senior students who qualify for the Army National Guard in exchange for part-time service can earn good pay, money for college or vocational school, paid training in one of 200 career fields, low-cost health insurance, advancement opportunities and more. Students can join while still in high school and complete their initial and advance training in the summers between school years. For more information to learn how you can join visit, www.NATIONALGUARD.com/moneyforcollege.