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Photo by Daniel Alvarez Fedyaev
5 Big Takeaways: North Shore moves to 4-0 behind 21-point second half
MANVEL - In every season there are three parts to it.
Non-district, district and then the playoffs. Each provide their own opportunities. Jon Kay has always approached the non-district portion of the schedule as a time to gauge his team. Coming out of that, capped by a 49-14 victory over Manvel on Friday at Freedom Field, the North Shore Mustangs are 4-0.
\With a COVID-dictated schedule this spring and summer this time for the back-to-back state champions was crucial.
"We always use this non-district schedule as a barometer of the things we need to work on," Kay said. "I thought the second half was the culmination of the weeks of work that these kids have put in. There's no more excuse of no spring ball, no Covid excuse, we've had plenty time to prepare.
"It was good to see us go out there and execute but we better get a lot better to go and compete in District 21-6A."
So what were the 5 Big Takeaways?
Banks Heating Up
TOUCHDOWN MUSTANGS: @NSNationFB WR Shadrach Banks an @AggieFootball commit picks up the low snap and then HURDLES a guy!! #txhsfb
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) October 17, 2020
2nd - 4:01 @NSSH_Mustangs -21@HokaHeyFootball - 7@MaxPreps @KPRC2Ari @KPRC2RandyMc @Perroni247 @KPRC2Vanessa @espn pic.twitter.com/wMAbknEdgu
Jon Kay says Shadrach Banks is continuing his progress to getting into game shape. Friday's win over Manvel showed he is definitely making progress. Banks was featured in the North Shore offense as usual at wide receiver, showing his strength off multiple times. But then they also lined him up at quarterback in a Wildcat formation with Dematrius Davis slotted next to him. They did this a few times and in the second quarter, Banks hurdled a would-be tackler and took it in for a touchdown. Just another wrinkle in this already potent offense. Banks is looking more and more dangerous each week.
Dematrius Davis ... Again
TOUCHDOWN MUSTANGS: @NSNationFB QB @Dematrius09 (@AuburnFootball commit) makes this look easy. Fakes handoff & then the pass. The scores from 26 yards out. #txhsfb
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) October 17, 2020
1st - 0:55 @NSSH_Mustangs - 14@HokaHeyFootball - 0@KPRC2RandyMc @KPRC2Ari @SimoneEli_TV @HTownHSS @MaxPreps pic.twitter.com/8OvKHPOJS2
No, Dematrius Davis didn't force two tacklers to smash into each other with a juke this time. He did shed two arm tackles to score on one play though on one of his two touchdown runs. On the play above though, Davis faked the handoff, faked the pass and then proceeded to take off for a score. This play it looked too easy for him. Davis' running ability has really flourished the last two seasons. Last year he just broke loose with it on multiple occasions. Davis had two passing touchdowns and two rushing scores to add to his season total. Davis is a pure challenge for any defensive unit because you really don't know when he is going to fake you out and take off.
Gabriel Larry is a Dual-Threat Problem
Highlight Reel Run! @HokaHeyFootball QB @g_larry1 makes something out of nothing on this 3rd and 10. #txhsfb @Tha_Real_JV @_JustinMedlock @ManvelHS @AlvinISD @Perroni247 @KPRC2RandyMc @HTownHSS @KPRC2Ari pic.twitter.com/x7T462lB8H
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) October 17, 2020
Seeing Gabriel Larry in person for the first time he is a tall, rangy quarterback who can throw and take off with the ball at the same time. Larry on one play broke through a would-be sack and ended up converting a first down on a third down and ten. Larry also had two passing touchdowns in the game. He and his Manvel offense are going to be a problem in Class 5A. Larry can be a gamechanger at quarterback, especially when he takes off.
North Shore Improvements after 4-0 Start
VYPE Postgame: Caught up with @NSNationFB HC Jon Kay after the 49-14 victory. Next up for Mustangs is West Brook at home next week to open District 21-6A play. #txhsfb @NSSH_Mustangs @GalenaParkISD @Dematrius09 @TXHSFB @KPRC2Ari @KPRC2RandyMc @HTownHSS pic.twitter.com/CJ8cx3ZV73
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) October 17, 2020
The offensive line has always been a strength of this North Shore program. Jon Kay said they are still working through some different combinations on the offensive line, looking for depth in the secondary, kicking game needs improvements as well.
"I think there is room for improvement. I saw a lot of resiliency today. [Manvel] had a lot of momentum going into the half and for us to come out in the second half and answer the bell, I think that speaks a lot to [this team's] character."
Kriss Ross - A name to remember
VYPE Post Game: Caught up with @NSNationFB DL Chris Ross who had some big plays tonight. He talks the defense and the 4-0 start. #txhsfb @Dematrius09 @DenvoBandz @NSSH_Mustangs @GalenaParkISD @TXHSFB @alexradow @KPRC2Ari pic.twitter.com/jGPrRSmbUK
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) October 17, 2020
Defensively, Kriss Ross is a force on the line. He is big. Fast and will crush an opponent. One play stuck out when he was able to come free off the edge and sack Manvel quarterback Gabriel Larry in the second half. It was a big momentum swing, a drive stopper and big play for him. Ross is a part of the Class of 2022 and it wouldn't surprise me if he starts getting some looks because he brings some size to that defensive line for North Shore.
Austin, Houston powers collide in 5A Region III Tournament
A couple of state-ranked powers, one consistent program and one Cinderella program compose the four teams competing for the Class 5A, Region III title this Friday and Saturday at the Delmar Fieldhouse in Houston.
Here's some notes on the four teams (note: individual stats are gathered from MaxPreps.com):
ROUSE (34-9): The Raiders of Jacob Thompson have been ranked in the Top 5 (TGCA and LoneStarVolleyball.com) all year long. The Raiders have a great strength-of-schedule rating, playing many state-ranked 5A and 6A teams all during the preseason.
Rouse is participating in its fourth-straight regional tournament; the Raiders lost to eventual state finalist Cedar Park in 2016 before losing to Prosper in the State Championship match in 2017. Last season, the Raiders made it back to the regional tournament but lost to Friendswood in five sets.
Impact players include: senior Grayson Schirpik (624 kills, 594 digs, 61 aces, 21 total blocks, 7 assists); senior Reilly Heinrich (824 digs, 39 assists, 38 aces); senior Kara Erfurth (1,369 assists, 299 digs, 135 kills, 40 aces, 32 total blocks); freshman Kayla Lopez (294 digs, 268 kills, 39 aces, 14 total blocks, senior Madison Butler (158 kills, 74 digs, 65 total blocks, 13 aces); junior Emery Reid (190 kills, 99 digs, 22 total blocks, 17 aces).
MANVEL (41-6): The Mavericks of Susan Kennedy made a perfect run through District 24-5A, winning 48 of 49 district sets on their way to a 16-0 district mark.
The Mavericks are currently riding a 24-match win streak. They own two wins over Friendswood back in August and have also scored wins over No. 3 Dripping Springs while losing to state-ranked teams such as Denton Guyer, San Antonio Reagan and Decatur (Class 4A defending state champs).
The Mavericks didn't make the playoffs last year but made it to the Region III finals the previous year, losing to Rouse.
Impact players include: senior Morgan Smith (413 kills, 152 digs, 130 total blocks, 45 aces, 31 assists); junior Aryn Johnson (577 kills, 366 digs, 87 aces, 32 total blocks); junior Hailey Turner (257 kills, 63 aces, 325 digs); and senior Cecilia Harness (1,347 assists, 58 aces, 292 digs, 27 total blocks,
FRIENDSWOOD (32-17): After a great season in 2018, Friendswood was highly-ranked to start this season. Coach Sarah Paulk's Mustangs stumbled out of the gate, enduring a four-match losing streak on their way to a 7-7 start.
But when the 'Stangs hit District 22-5A play, they went on a roll, winning all 14 district matches while winning 42 of 45 sets in those district matches.
Friendswood beat Rouse last year in the Region III semifinals in five sets before losing to eventual state champion Kingwood Park in four sets.
Impact players include: senior Makensy Manbeck (431 kills, 32 aces, 82 digs, 28 total blocks); senior Tori Weatherley (1,035 assists, 212 digs, 44 kills, 30 aces); junior Ashlyn Svoboda (492 digs, 386 kills, 11 total blocks); junior A Meoni (234 kills, 139 digs, 2 assists); and, sophomore K Beuche (233 digs, 185 kills, 5 assists).
CEDAR PARK (25-21): The Timberwolves are not only the surprise of the region, but the surprise of the entire state. Head Coach Lori McLaughlin, who coached Ridge Point (Houston) to the Class 6A state finals last season, took the CPHS job shortly after last year's State Tournament.
McLaughlin took over a team that went to the state finals in 2016 (they lost to Amarillo) but hadn't advanced past the area round since then.
The Timberwolves finished second in 17-5A to Rouse, losing only to the Raiders on their way to a 10-2 district mark. The tell-tale sign for the T'Wolves may have been their second district meeting with Rouse, when they took the Raiders to 5 sets (the match was played at Rouse).
Impact players include: senior setter Olivia Meyer (645 assists, 118 digs, 78 kills) - Meyer missed a part of the team's early-season schedule with injury; senior middle blocker/hitter Jaelyn Grimm (257 kills, 30 total blocks); junior Abbi Lemmond (298 kills, 231 digs, 37 total blocks); and junior Madison Alexander (442 digs, 81 assists).






























