King goes for 175 yards, Atascocita downs Tompkins to advance to State Quarterfinals

HOUSTON – This stage is nothing new for Atascocita.

The Eagles have been here before and know how to play football after Thanksgiving – this season marking the fifth-straight year Atascocita has reached the Regional Semifinals – and they looked the part on Saturday, despite an ugly second half.

Brice Matthews spread the wealth hitting five different receivers with 391 yards and three\ touchdowns passing, Landen King led the group with 175 yards and one score and Atascocita defeated Katy Tompkins 42-24 in the Class 6A Division I Region III Semifinal inside NRG Stadium.

"I was happy the ball was coming my way, but Brice trusted me with the ball and I went up and made plays," King said. "[Brice] is one of the best in the state. He's overlooked but he's one of the best in the state as you all can see now."

Atascocita improves to 12-1 and advances to the State Quarterfinals for the third time since 2015 and first since 2016. Tompkins finishes the year 11-2 overall and falling in the Regional Semifinals for a second-straight season.

"It's a lot of fun," Atascocita coach Craig Stump said. "These seniors have done a lot. I'm happy for them. They, just like any senior, they want to keep playing. Each year is different but we're excited right now."

Atascocita will face North Shore, a rematch of the 2016 State Quarterfinals which the Eagles won 33-27 in overtime, on Saturday, December 7 at 2 p.m. at Sheldon ISD Stadium.

"Our kids know another," Atascocita coach Craig Stump said. "We've got the same kids basically. We play against them in the summer and things like that. We've had competition against them, played three times here lately in the last few years. But this year's different. It's all new."