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Baylor Bears win Title over Gonzaga:

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in NCAA BASKETBALL.

Baylor’s magical run throughout the 2020-21 season ended up looking a lot like Matthew Mayer’s signature hairstyle — business in the front, party in the back.

The Bears paved the way for their championship season with hard work, discipline and attention to detail — but following an 86-70 win over Gonzaga in the national championship game, it was finally time to let loose.

Mayer’s mullet was just one of many memorable symbols along Baylor’s ride to glory in Indianapolis. The former Westlake standout transformed into a vital part of head coach Scott Drew’s bench and showcased his soft touch from beyond the arc in addition to his on-court IQ.

With the Bears’ front-court stacked with talented guards, Mayer carved out a role as a reliable scorer who remained ready to dive into the dirty work whenever necessary. The junior averaged 8.1 points per game this season while also adding 112 rebounds and 36 steals.

The former Chaparral shot 39.5% from beyond the 3-point arc, allowing him to be a deadly screener in the pick-and-pop game.

Mayer got an early taste of high-level basketball while playing for head coach Robert Lucero at Westlake. His teammates included current Longhorn Brock Cunningham and UTEP’s Keonte Kennedy, who transferred from Xavier. Mayer had plenty of offers, including from the University of Texas, but the 6-foot-8 small forward found a home in Waco and began honing his skills under Drew, who is undoubtedly one of the top college coaches in the nation.

Mayer was a contributor almost immediately off the bench and averaged 4.6 points per game as a true freshman. In his sophomore campaign, Mayer put in 4.8 points per contest.

His role expanded dramatically this season as the Bears overcame a COVID-19 break to turn on the afterburners in the final few weeks. After Baylor fell to Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Tournament, Baylor reeled off six straight wins on the country’s biggest stage to capture the program’s first-ever national championship.

Mayer was an instrumental part of the ride, which ended with an eye-opening performance against the previously-unbeaten Bulldogs of the West Coast Conference. Chalk up another win for the Lone Star State.

Texas Longhorns 2020 Preview

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in TEXAS SPORTS.

In terms of up follow-up performances, the Longhorns’ 2019 campaign was a flop compared to the Hollywood blockbuster ending provided by the Sugar Bowl win to cap the 2018 season.

Texas suffered through a rash of injuries on the defensive side of the ball and at times just plain couldn’t stop anybody. The offense was left to try and play catch-up most times and quarterback Sam Ehlinger was unable to pull off enough Houdini-esque escapes to help the Longhorns turn in another 10-win season.

Instead, Texas fell to 8-5, but a dominant showing against Utah in the Alamo Bowl offered a glimpse of the possibilities in store for 2020.

Head coach Tom Herman is looking to reload and make big waves in his fourth year on the 40 Acres, but for the season to be successful, there are several keys on both sides of the ball.

OFFENSE

The Longhorns are led by Ehlinger, who has enough experience, toughness and competitive will to give Texas a shot to win every time out. More on the senior signal caller later.

Up front, the offensive line is anchored by left tackle Sam Cosmi, who is considered a lock to be a first round NFL draft pick in 2021. Senior Derek Kerstetter will be back as well and may make the move to center, although he was graded as the nation’s top returning pass blocker following his 2019 season opposite Cosmi at right tackle.

The running game features the toughness of Keaontay Ingram and the intrigue of freshman Bijan Robinson. Roschon Johnson, who moved from quarterback to running back last season, will provide depth and versatility as well.

With Collin Johnson and workhouse Devin Duvernay now training for their first NFL seasons, the wide receiving corps will need an overhaul. Luckily, Brennan Eagles and Jake Smith return, as does Joshua Moore. Former Cuero standout Jordan Whittington is also present and could become an instant star, while transfer Tarik Black brings maturity to the WR room.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: It all starts with the running game for the Longhorns. In 2019, the Longhorns were 0-4 when rushing for less than 150 yards. In Herman’s tenure, Texas is a perfect 9-0 when rushing for more than 200 yards in a game.

DEFENSE

Texas struggled mightily on defense last season and were lit up by more than a few explosive Big 12 offenses. Heck, even Kansas racked up 569 yards and 48 points against the Horns.

A strategic change will take place in 2020 as Texas goes from a 3-4 to a 4-3 look. The Longhorns return nine starters on defense and look to have a very formidable front four featuring Joseph Ossai (DE/LB), Keondre Coburn (DT) and Ta’Quon Graham (DT). Defensive end Marqez Bimage opted out of the 2020 season and likely left a vacancy for sophomore Moro Ojomo to step into this fall.

At linebacker, Juwan Mitchell is back after deciding to stay in Austin. DeMarvion Overshown is also back practicing with the team after a hiatus during which he advocated for changes within the university.

The secondary is absolutely loaded with talent thanks to the return of safeties Caden Sterns, B.J. Foster and Chris Brown. Cornerbacks Jalen Green, D’Shawn Jamison, Josh Thompson and Kenyatta Watson II are all back after seeing a strong amount of playing time last year.

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR: The dismal 2019 defense allowed a total of 5,609 yards and were routinely burned in the air. The Longhorns gave up 6.1 yards per play last season and 7.9 per pass. An added element of pressure up front will be needed to make life much more uncomfortable for opposing QBs, who were afforded far too much time to scan the field in 2019.

SAMMY HEISMAN?

All of the stars seem aligned for a truly special season from Austin’s own Sam Ehlinger.

The former Westlake Chaparral has always had the ability to pull the ball down and run with his own signature blend of quickness and power. As a passer, though, Ehlinger has put in the time and has been able to improve his completion rate every year as a starter.

In 2019, Ehlinger completed over 65% of his throws and accounted for 4,326 total yards and 39 TDs.

The senior’s leadership and drive can’t be measured by statistics, but they’re two big reasons why Ehlinger has already earned a spot on Longhorns history. In 2020, he has a chance to cement his legacy even further if he’s able to become only the third Texas player to hoist the Heisman trophy.

However, it’s too early to tell Ricky and Earl to make room in their exclusive fraternity just yet.

Michigan graduate Tarik Black lands in Texas after transfer.

Written by Russell Dowden on . Posted in TEXAS SPORTS.

Michigan Wolverine wide receiver Tarik Black stated this week on his Instagram that he is transferring to Texas for the fall. The former Wolverine made the decision to move on from Ann Arbor following a three-year career as a Wolverine.

A former four-star recruit out of Ceshire (CT) Cheshire Academy, Black was a part of Jim Harbaugh’s 2017 class at Michigan. The former U.S. Army All-American chose Michigan over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Miami, Mississippi State and several others. The wide receiver room in Austin was stacked over the last few years, but departures from Lil’Jordan Humphrey and 2020 draftees Collin Johnson and Devin Duvernay left Texas young at the position.

Texas typically used big-bodied wide receivers like Black at the “X” position where their size provides a chain moving target for the quarterback on the outside. Collin Johnson served in that role for years in this offense, and Brennan Eagles has spent some time lined up there as well. It’s unclear how Texas offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich plans to use Black moving forward, but his presence as a veteran wide receiver should help to elevate a talented but young wide receiver room.

Reported by Horns247.com

NFL Alumnus Jon Kitna Back Having Impact on High School Student-Athletes

Written by Russell Dowden on . Posted in NFL FOOTBALL.

When Cowboys owner Jerry Jones brought in a new coaching staff last January, the team’s outgoing quarterbacks coach Jon Kitna did not have to travel far for his next job.

Kitna, 47, was named Athletic Coordinator & Head Coach at Burleson High School located outside Ft. Worth. It’s not as unusual a  career change as it might appear.

Kitna played quarterback for four teams during a 16-year NFL career (1997-2011, 2013).  After his playing career, he began coaching at his alma mater Lincoln High School in his hometown of Tacoma, Washington.

He moved his young family to Texas in 2015 and continued coaching on the high school level in Waxahachie. In 2018, he took another high school coaching position in Phoenix before then-head coach Jason Garrett recruited him to the Cowboys to work with Zak Prescott last season. Garrett now is the Giants offensive coordinator and Kitna has resumed his high school head coaching career.

“I can’t think of a better environment for a young man than to play high school ball in a program run by Jon”, says Garrett. “He has brought out the best in those around him at every level he has coached. The significant impact he will have on his student-athletes at Burleson will be felt for the rest of their lives.” 

Kitna’s return to high school coaching  will be an opportunity to work on the field with his two teenage sons. QB Jalen will be a senior at Burleson this fall and already has been recruited by colleges from Oregon State to Yale. J.T. is a younger 14-year old son who also will  enroll and play at the school.

“One of the things I missed last year with the Cowboys was coaching Jalen,” says the elder Kitna, “but I am super excited about being able to finish coaching him this fall and then J.T. who’s coming up behind him.” 

We at NFL Alumni wish the entire Kitna family (including mom Jennifer) much success and good health in their exciting new environment.

Horns upset #22 Tech

Written by Russell Dowden on . Posted in NCAA BASKETBALL.

LUBBOCK, Texas — The Texas Longhorns have been on a tear giving a spark in recent weeks as the end of the regular season play nears. Shaka Smart’s young team is seeking a push for redemption and a NCAA Tournament bid. Tech has been a very stingy 13-2 at home coming into Saturday’s game against Texas. However, the Horns stayed the course out rebounding and out shooting the Red Raiders late in the 2nd half of Saturdays contest pulling away with a huge 68-58 win against No. 22 Texas Tech.

The Horns will have a chance at a third straight victory Tuesday night against Oklahoma. The Longhorns upset No. 20 West Virginia last Monday in Austin and have been playing injured and with sick players as of late, but have shown a lot of heart.

Texas is on the outside looking in as the season comes to a close in hopes for a bid in the NCAA Tournament in 2020. Missing out last year still bore the fruit of a NIT Title for the Shaka Smart lead team that has been largely viewed by most critics as mediocre at best.

Currently they are (18-11, 8-8 in Big 12). Texas will travel to Norman tomorrow night to face the Sooners and then will play their final game of the season at home against OSU. Game Airs on TV/ ESPN2 & Radio: Longhorn Radio Network, Sirius XM 385.

Chiefs Win Superbowl LIV

Written by River Tompkins on . Posted in NFL FOOTBALL.

With the world watching, the high flying Kansas City Chiefs took on the smash mouth San Francisco 49ers on the biggest stage, this was Super Bowl LIV. Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, two quarterbacks were fighting to cement themselves next to battle-proven players such as Tom Brady, Steve Young, Joe Namath, Bart Starr, Joe Montana, Dan Marino and many more, while two coaches were battling for their first ever Super Bowl win. The veteran Andy Reid with 221 career wins was seeking his first Super Bowl Championship against third year head coach Kyle Shanahan.

In a match that would come down to the wire with exciting plays, the Chiefs showed their toughness emerging victorious in a 31-20 win snapping their 50 year Super Bowl drought. Patrick Mahomes not only placed himself next to the greats, but also in the record book as he is the only player to win both regular-season MVP and Super Bowl MVP in his first three seasons. 
The Chiefs received to start the game, continuing their streak of slow starts they went three and out giving the ball straight to the 49ers. The 49ers had a different tone as rookie speedster Deebo Samuel took an end-around handoff 32-yards up the right sideline putting them in Chiefs’ territory. Deebo Samuel once again took a handoff for 7-yards setting up veteran kicker Robbie Gould for three points. 


The Chiefs responded in a professional manner putting together a strong drive highlighted by Damien Williams who totaled 25-yards and key first downs. Spotted in the red zone it was third-and-11, Patrick Mahomes picked it up using his legs but with a price as he took a shot from Jimmie Ward, consequently Mahomes fumbled the ball out of bounds making it a fourth-and-one situation. During a confusing play all of the Chiefs players started spinning around as running back Damien Williams took a direct snap to pick up the first down. Patrick Mahomes would then run it in for a 1-yard touchdown. 


The next drive 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was heavily pressured, making a rookie mistake, he flailed the ball into the air while being taken down, this of course resulted in an easy interception for the Chiefs. The Chiefs made short work of the great field position getting in field goal range and nailing it from 31-yards out.


Garoppolo shook the interception off and channeled his inner Tom Brady as he lead his team on a methodical drive downfield. Deebo Samuel once again shone with a 16-yard catch to get them out of a jam. Garoppolo would find none other than the best fullback in the NFL, Kyle Juszczyk for a 15-yard catch and run touchdown tying the game up. 


Heading into halftime neither team was being true to themselves. Both teams had gone away from what got them to the Super Bowl and it showed on the scoreboard. The Chiefs, one of the best deep threat teams in the league had only attempted one pass over 20+ yards. Whether that was due to game plan, nerves or the 49ers defense locking down the secondary they needed some chunk plays. The 49ers were not running the ball, that is what they did all season and now all of a sudden they were trigger happy with Jimmy G, they would have to get back to the run if they wanted any chance to win the ball game. 


The 49ers exploded coming out of halftime on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Immediately piecing together a nine play drive for 60-yards that ended with a field goal giving them the lead. The 49ers defense started to get after the quarterback harassing him in the pocket. After a strip sack by Nick Bosa (Patrick Mahomes recovered). The Chiefs were in a bad position, Patrick Mahomes trying to make a play stepped up in the pocket while being tackled throwing it straight to middle linebacker Fred Warner who would intercept the pass. 


49ers head coach Kyle Shannahan has had too many memories of comebacks as a former Atlanta Falcons coach. The sequence of 28-3 had a strong impact on him, brushing this aside he told Garoppolo and the offense to end it right then and there. Garoppolo followed orders finding Super Bowl stud Deebo Samuel for 16-yards, he then threw a laser to Kendrick Bourne to move the sticks on a 26-yard pickup and of course a 10-yard pass to Kyle Juszczyk setting up Raheem Mostert for a 1-yard touchdown giving them a two-score advantage. 

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – FEBRUARY 02: Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid gets gatorade poured on him after winning Super Bowl LIV on February 2, 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Rich Graessle/PPI/Icon Sportswire)


Patrick Mahomes would struggle on the next drive as speed demon Tyreek Hill would bobble and drop a pass landing in the hand’s of second-year safety Tarvarius Moore. The 49ers once again strayed from the run and were quickly forced to punt the ball back without having successfully taken time off the clock.  


Patrick Mahomes finally took his shot down the field, and this one hit as he found Tyreek Hill wide open for a gain of 44-yards putting them in prime scoring position. On third-and-10 from the 21, Patrick threw up a jump ball to Travis Kelce who drew a somewhat questionable pass interference call in his favor setting up a 1-yard touchdown catch by Travis Kelce. 
The 49ers once again struggled to take time off the clock allowing Patrick Mahomes (26-42,286,2,2) to do what he does best, make awesome comebacks. He found Sammy Watkins wide open for a 38-yard catch and run. On third down Patrick Mahomes rolled out to his left hitting Damien Williams in the backfield who elongated to reach the pylon. Did he break the plane? I do not know, but what matters is they gave him the touchdown giving the Chiefs the lead.  


It was do or die for the 49ers after getting to about mid-field Garoppolo (20-31,219,1,2) went for it all to Emmanual Sanders who had beat his man. With the entire crowd holding their breaths, the ball hit the ground just in front of Emmanuel Sanders, leaving people to wonder what would have happened if he had caught it. 


Ultimately the 49ers would not surmount the lead and the Chiefs were crowned Super Bowl LIV champions, a dramatic conclusion to the final game of the centennial season of the NFL. The start of a new dynasty, the end of old school football, the next G.O.A.T., all questions to be answered next season. You know both teams will be back next year. The 49ers have a group of young bucks determined to get back here and the Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes. 

Texas Out Hustle Utah in Alamobowl Win.

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in TEXAS SPORTS, UT FOOTBALL.

SAN ANTONIO — The Longhorns’ 38-10 demolition of 11th-ranked Utah in the Alamo Bowl provided yet another sugary sweet catapult into the off-season despite a topsy-turvy season overall.

Texas (8-5) was enigmatic at times during 2019, as the secondary and offensive line took turns regressing during Big 12 play. But on New Year’s Eve in the Alamo City, everything came together.

Sam Ehlinger was his old efficient self, as the junior quarterback completed 12 of 18 throws for 201 yards and three touchdowns. He also used his imposing size to add 73 yards and a score on the ground.

Meanwhile, junior linebacker Joseph Ossai spent all game looking like a heat-seeking missile. Ossai finished with eight total tackles — including six for loss and three sacks — as Texas held the Utes (11-3) to their lowest scoring output since the 2018 Pac-12 championship game against Washington.

Not surprisingly, Ehlinger and Ossai were rewarded by being named the Alamo Bowl’s Offensive and Defensive MVPs. 

“Our talent can take us pretty far,” Ehlinger said. “When you add mistake-free football, watch out.”

The Longhorns began the game with a 29-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker on the opening drive. Ehlinger avoided potential disaster when a Utah defensive back dropped a possible pick-6, and the former Lake Travis kicker converted the march into points.

From there, it was pretty much smooth sailing for the boys in burnt orange.

Texas’ defense smothered Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley early and often, as Utah managed just 60 total yards in the opening quarter. Even special teams made an impact, as D’Shawn Jamison broke loose for a 71-yard punt return in the second quarter to set up the game’s first TD — a 5-yard throw from Ehlinger to senior Collin Johnson.

The Longhorns emerged from the halftime locker room up 10-0 and tacked on another 6 points when Ehlinger hit Keontay Ingram on a wheel route that went for an 11-yard score.

Utah booted a short field goal to pull within 17-3, but Texas went back to work on offense and crossed the goal line again on a 6-yard run up the gut from Ehlinger.

” But again, just to also be in this game, to come back home and get back to my roots and play in a place I’m familiar with means a lot to me, as well.” – Caden Stearns

Despite a few questionable calls, the fourth quarter turned into a glorified curtain call for the Longhorns’ seniors as the lead ballooned to 28 points. Devin Duvernay snagged a 16-yard throw from Ehlinger, and Ingram later rumbled 49 yards to the end zone to cap the game’s scoring.

The Texas defense forced seven punts on the night and dominated even though it didn’t force a single turnover. 

It was a fond farewell for linebacker Malcolm Roach and fellow seniors Johnson, Duvernay and Zach Shackelford. All four have a legitimate shot to be playing on Sundays next season.

The Alamo Bowl rout also helped head coach Tom Herman improve to 4-0 in bowl games with the Longhorns.“We knew that we were going to have to play with a greater passion and physicality than they would,” Herman said. “It would have been easy for guys to splinter after the regular season was not what we had hoped. These guys are competitors. They want to win.”

Is Brees the GOAT?

Written by Tucker Stephenson on . Posted in NFL FOOTBALL.

At this point, betting against Drew Brees is just plain dumb.

And yet, somehow, it still continues to happen.

The legendary former Westlake quarterback added another page to his Hall of Fame resume on Monday night when he passed Peyton Manning to become the NFL’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns with his 540th. The record-breaking score came on a 5-yard play action toss to tight end Josh Hill during the Saints’ 34-7 destruction of the Indianapolis Colts — one of Manning’s old teams.

And what did Brees do for an encore? He tossed another TD on his next throw, which went for 28 yards to Taysom Hill. 

Brees finished the game with yet another league record in his back pocket, as he set a single-game mark for completion percentage after going 29 for 30 for 307 yards to connect on a ridiculous 96.7% of his pass attempts.

Brees, the one-time Chaparral standout and Purdue alum, now holds those two NFL records in addition to the league’s top mark for career completions (6,792) and all-time passing yardage (72,577).

However, it wasn’t a foregone conclusion that Brees would add another few records to his total after he sustained a torn ligament in his right thumb earlier this season. Given that Brees is already 40 years old, some wondered whether he’d be able to make it back to his old self.

But New Orleans kept churning out wins under Teddy Bridgewater, which allowed Brees to be patient with his injury and ensure that he took the proper time to heal from successful surgery. He made his return on Oct. 27 against Arizona and quickly reminded all the doubters why he’s one of the best to ever chuck a pigskin by throwing for 373 yards and three TDs during a 31-9 rout of the Cardinals.

Since then, he’s continued his assault on the record books alongside wide receiver Michael Thomas, who has become perhaps the best wideout in the NFL. As the playoffs approach, though, Brees likely has only one more goal in mind — bringing a second Lombardi trophy back to New Orleans. Now that he’s back to 100%, it would be a huge mistake to overlook the Saints in any round of the postseason.

Westlake Chaps win 2019 6A DIV II State Title

Written by River Tompkins on . Posted in HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

Two teams would enter only one would emerge victorious as the 6A DII Texas UIL Football State Championship was underway with the Westlake Chaparrals taking on the Denton Guyer Wildcats. Both teams had risen to the top of their division due to their physicality and run game and both were prepared to out-muscle and out-work the other. In a surprise upset Westlake shut out Denton Guyer 24-0 in a game with many twists and turns.

Both teams are no strangers to the big lights at AT&T stadium with a combined total of 13 championship appearances including tonight. Guyer won its two titles back-to-back in 2012 and 2013. While Westlake’s victories were much further apart with one in 1996 and the other in 2019. Coincidentally, Denton is 0-2 against the Dodge family (Todd Dodge – Westlake and Riley Dodge – Southlake Carroll) this season and 14-0 against everyone else.

“There’s no doubt that they are ready to play. They’re ready to go after a state championship and we’ve got a tremendous opponent in front of us, but we’re gonna have fun tonight,” said Westlake head coach Todd Dodge of his team.

“On the way here, I wore the Drew Brees jersey that Sam wore in the Sugar Bowl, the Westlake one. I kinda got in my mojo, but it’s awesome. When I was a freshman, I was behind [Ehlinger], and it’s really cool to have him here and have him watch us win state,” said Westlake quarterback Kirkland Michaux.

Westlake received to start the game and as they always did they looked to assert their physical dominance. Starting off with two straight power runs it proved unfruitful as the wildcats matched the Chaps physicality. Westlake than took to the air and exploited a defensive weakness as Westlake quarterback Kirkland Michaux would complete a series of passes, 18-yards, 35-yards, 11-yards, and a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jake Misch who was wide open in the end zone.

Guyer electrified the crowd as their speedy kick returner brought the ball all the way to the house. However a flag was thrown and it was called back due to holding, the fans excitement soared then plummeted. The Wildcats would have to slog it out getting down field as they went through three 4th down conversions. They then suffered a major casualty with the loss of star quarterback Eli Stowers due to injury. Stowers, a four-star recruit committed to Texas A&M is reported to have torn the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his left knee. With Wildcat fans shocked, silent and heartbroken, freshman qb Jackson Arnold bravely took the field. Arnold whose hands were visibly shaking, understandably having been thrown in to the un-fillable shoes of Stowers, attempted his his first throw, which was intercepted by defensive back Michael Taffe in the end zone.

The game from here on out would be a defensive one. Guyer continued that trend forcing Westlake into a three and out. Jackson Arnold would than fumble the snap and get sacked on the ensuing play by Westlake defensive end Austin McClendon once again forcing them to punt.


Denton Guyer got the ball back after a Westlake punt and star running back Kaedrick Cobb went to work weaving and juking his way through defenders for a pickup of 26-yards. Than the pressure came as Westlake defensive back Michael Taff came roaring into the pocket and dropped Arnold for a loss.

Westlake would put together a long drive aided by 4th down conversions and somewhat lucky penalties. The highlight was a 10-yard catch by Ryan Lindley and Kirkland Michaux being sacked in the backfield by Dotun Olanipekun. Then on 4th&18 from the 33-yard line the Chaps went for it, what seemed to be a terrible decision was in motion. Michaux rolled out to his left and fired a missile down field to Mason Magnum for a 33-yard score. The Westlake fans erupted.

Guyer would intercept Michaux’s pass before halftime but nothing would result. Westlake did everything fairly well in the first half, they were lock-down on defense and the passing game was roaring, the number one thing was to get Zane Minors going. For Denton Guyer it was about getting the offense going, especially through the air, they had 15 passing yards through the third quarter and that would simply not due against a strong Westlake defense.

Coach Dodge had this to say going in to halftime,”We’re not running the ball well enough right now. We’re making some explosive plays in the passing game. We got to do a better job of protecting the quarterback, the second half. Got to get a little bit more out of our run game.”

Coming out of halftime Guyer quarterback Jackson Arnold just did not want to be pummeled by players 100 pounds heavier than him. Sadly, his wish did not come true. On the first drive he was sacked twice by Austin McClendon and Will McConnell. The Guyer defense would continue to generate pressure on the quarterback but it was no help as the offense was essentially a stationary turret that was out of bullets and the secondary was a piece of armor that was hit one too many times.


Westlake took advantage of this as Kirkland Michaux found a wide open Jackson Coker down the field for a 39-yard touchdown. Westlake put the game on cruise control only scoring a field goal from there on out, but still managing to stay on top. 

Westlake defensive back Henry Smogur would get an interception putting him in company with Michael Taffe (1 int, 1 sack) who won defensive MVP. Michaux completed 20 passes for 285-yards and won the offensive MVP of the championship. His favorite target was Ryan Lindley (7-65) who went out with a hand injury as well as Mason Mangum (3-79-1).

“We have a very physical football team,” said Dodge when asked about the physicality of his players. “We have a bunch of kids that the worst thing that can happen to them is, to come to video on Saturday morning and have their team see them being soft or less than physical or giving less than great effort and that’s such a great peer pressure in our locker room.”

Westlake held their opponents to a scoreless game with a 24-0 victory. Westlake brings the title back home to Westlake/Austin which has not been done since their first state championship trophy in 1996, known as the Drew Brees era. After being eliminated multiple times by North Shore (2019 6A D1 state champion) they finally brought one back, symbolizing a banner year for Todd Dodge where he achieved 200 career wins and a Texas 6A DII State Championship.

“What a tremendous job that they’ve done all year long and I just, I am so happy. I’m so happy about the state championship,”commented Dodge on his team’s victory.

Jackson Coker had this to say about the team’s journey,”It’s unbelievable. This is something you know we’ve been working for, you know some of these guys I’ve been friends with since I was about two years old, and just to come out here and play the way we played is just, I’m at a loss, it’s unbelievable. It means everything, you know, we have a tradition of winning and I’m just glad that we could come out and uphold that to the potential that you know we held ourselves at.”

Northshore Mustangs victorious over Duncanville.

Written by River Tompkins on . Posted in HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

A rematch. A battle. A fight. This is the 2019 Texas UIL Football State Championships at AT&T stadium in Arlington. Two teams would face off in front of 47,818 fans, winner take all including the title best 6A DI football team in Texas, the pressure was on. The North Shore Mustangs took on the Duncanville Panthers in a match up to remember. This time just a year ago these teams went head-to-head in the state championship with North Shore throwing a Hail Mary in the final seconds to win the game. If there were any doubts of who the dominant team is, North Shore erased them when they won 31-17 over the Panthers.

Up to this point, both teams had taken on tough advisories with Duncanville stampeding through Southlake Carrol and Rock Wall while North Shore sailed past Lake Travis and Katy. Combined the teams had a point differential of 1054 points.

Duncanville received to start the game, as a redshirt freshman quarterback Chris Parson would lead the Panthers out in his first-ever start, filling in for the injured Ja’quinden Jackson who was out with a torn ACL. The Panthers immediately asserted the running game as junior running back Rodrick Daniels cut up the defense for a 16-yard gain. The freshman quarterback would not keep up as Parson’s next two passes were incomplete forcing a Panthers punt.


The Panthers made a field goal in the dying seconds of the first half tying the game up 17-17. Both teams needed to step it up in the passing game. To this point North Shore only had 27 passing yards and if you took the giant 62-yard pass away from Duncaville they had 29 passing yards. Yes running wins games but you need to be able to pick up the 3rd and longs.

Coming out of halftime it was anybody’s game, both teams still fighting for the crown of best team in Texas and both doing it without their biggest offensive play makers. The Panthers would fold under the pressure straight out of the gate as their punter fumbled the snap, than recovered it and fumbled again. North Shore recovered at Duncanville’s 20-yard line.

After Mustang reciter Syncere Green made 14-yard on a catch Rodger Hagan would capitalize with a 1-yard running touchdown. Roger Hagan took it upon himself to pick up the slack with Zachary Evans out, through the first three quarters Hagan had 87-yards rushing and two touchdowns.

Duncanville followed with yet another slip up as freshman quarterback Chris Parson tried to fight for more yardage but ended up putting the ball on the turf. Luckily for them North Shore was unable to do anything with the ball just giving it right back. The Panthers would come so close once again but every time they would fall just short. A pivotal moment on 4th&1 the Panthers were stuffed on the goaline turning the ball over to the Mustangs.

North Shore knowing it would be a slug-out did the same thing asserting their ground game with four straight runs amassing a total of 27-yards. Dual threat quarterback Demetrius Davis would than scramble out of the backfield following his blockers and using pure athleticism to earn him a 30-yard touchdown run.



“We’ve been running the ball the last couple weeks really well, so that was the game plan – to make sure we came out and got the run game going”, said North Shore offensive coordinator Willie Gaston.

Duncanville would not change its ways, they were committed to the ground game and it would stay that way. The Panthers would run the ball six times for 28-yards relaxing any nerves the young quarterback had. Parson would than find Rodrick Daniels on a flat route, after an electric juke he burst up field for 11-yards setting up Daniels for his own 25-yard TD run to tie the game up.

If you did not get the sense already you will get it now, this was a ground and pound game. By halftime both teams were over 100-yards rushing while both attempted under 10 passes. North Shore would march down field aided by an offsides penalty on 4th down, they gradually moved downfield thanks to their running game, North Shore would than settle for a field goal.

Duncanville would get the ball and as they had all season they would be electric. Starting with a 23-yard run by Roderick Daniels who was leapfrogging over defenders. Than a spectacular catch by Marquelan Crowell who mossed the defender on a 34-yard gain. The drive would be capped off by a 6-yard quarterback keeper.

North Shore running back Roger Hagan scored on a 2-yard touchdown run. All the while fans were noticing the absence of 5-star running back Zachary Evans who was nowhere to be seen. North Shore head coach Jon Kay would not go in to detail on reports that Evans had been held out due to disciplinary reasons and would not play in the game.



“We talked about in our staff meeting about just kind of some third quarter woes that we’ve had here recently and I think a lot of the fingers get pointed to the defensive side but the reality is we’ve had huge special teams errors that have put us in bad positions we’ve had turnovers on offense that have put us in bad positions so it was a collective discussion about what we can be doing better coming out of the third quarter and you know we met long and hard on that as a staff to try and make some adjustments which you know I give credit to our coaches the fact that, you know, here we are heading into our second state championship game and, they’re still searching for ways to improve and take the next step,” said North Shore head coach John Kay when asked about his goal line stop.

“Again I think that leadership spills over into our kids. Our defense has been much maligned lately, all of a sudden people feel like North Shore forgot how to play defense because we’ve been playing some explosive offenses. In situational football sometimes you step back and allow some things to happen, knowing that you know, what difference does it make if you win by seven or if you win by 57 when you’re talking about the postseason, that’s just the nature of the beast.

“To see those kids come out in the second half, and shut out an offense, like Duncanville. The kid [Ja’quinden Jackson] is phenomenal, they’re dripping with talent and they’re extremely well coached. For these kids to come together and make those adjustments and execute on the largest stage, I think, all the credit goes to them and coaches,” said John Kay.


At this point in the second half both teams were having trouble holding onto the ball as North Shore was once again forced to fumble giving the Panthers yet another chance to intrude on their one score lead. Duncanville had seemingly no offense whatsoever as they were forced to punt again.

This time the Panthers would not be let off the hook as Davis found receiver Charles King wide open in the end zone for a 44-yard touchdown to give the Mustangs a two score lead. The Panthers would try to comeback but all attempts were futile as North Shore’s defense was just too dominant.   

The Mustangs claimed a clear victory with a win of 31-17 in a game decided by turnovers. A win that also marked the start of a dynasty. North Shore has won two state championships in a row and will bring star quarterback Demtrius Davis back for his senior year as the Mustangs look to make it a three-peat.