North Shore blasts Atascocita in Texas high school football showdown: 5 takeaways

Nationally ranked Mustangs pull away, down district rivals, 61-35

HOUSTON, TEXAS — Kaleb Bailey and Galena Park North Shore jumped ahead early and dominated in the much-anticipated showdown with Atascocita on Friday night at Galena Park ISD Stadium.

The No. 3-ranked Mustangs rolled to a 61-35 win, never trailing in the game and in the few instances that the Eagles got on the board, North Shore (9-0, 5-0 District 21-6A) found an answer quickly.

>> North Shore vs. Atascocita: Best moments, scoring plays (live game thread)

Bailey ran for a touchdown and passed for four in the victory — three of them to Terrence Guillory. 

Bailey, a junior who started for a 6A title-winning North Shore team as a freshman, was masterful, completing 16 of 21 passes for 251 yards on top of 95 yards rushing on nine carries.

Guillory, a 5-foot-8 senior, had the first touchdown of the game and added touchdowns in the second and fourth quarters.

North Shore was up 33-14 at halftime and scored three times in the first quarter — starting with a safety on the first drive for Atascocita (8-1, 5-1).

After getting the punt, Guillory caught a touchdown pass from Bailey to make it 9-0. 

The Mustangs got a touchdown from Bailey, a 78-yard pass between Bailey and Guillory, a field goal from Jonathan Soto and a pick-six from Devin Sanchez — the No. 2 recruit in the state in the Class of 2025. He’s uncommitted with more than 30 offers.

Texas high school football scores: Live updates, live streams from Week 10 (10/27/2023)

Zion Brown accounted for both of the first-half scores for the Eagles, running 84 yards on a keeper up the middle and hitting Tory Blaylock for a 56-yard touchdown on a wheel route.

The second half started with four touchdowns in the opening 3:20:

SANCHEZ MAKES BIG PLAY IN SECONDARY

Devin Sanchez, 5-star Mustangs cornerback, electrified the home crowd on Friday night / Photo by Tom Dendy

Sanchez, a 6-foot-2 cornerback, is among the top in the country. He’s No. 1 looking at the 247Sports composite score that takes into rankings from various websites.

His touchdown in the second quarter was his first-ever interception return for a 38-yard touchdown.

That score made it 23-7 and came on the opening drive of the second quarter — just moments after the touchdown run by Bailey.

“It was fun and I really liked it,” said Sanchez, who was donning white Ohio State wristbands during the game. “I see nobody, shoot, I’m going to score. It is a big moment. I feel my touchdown impacted the game. I’m doing it for the teammates. I’m not doing it for me. I’m not bigger than the team. Team over me. I’m doing it for them.”

That was his fourth interception of the season.

TURNOVER LEADS TO TURNOVER THEN LEADS TO POINTS

The Mustangs got the ball first but failed to do much and punted, but then Atascocita fumbled the ball.

North Shore took over at the 10-yard line but couldn’t score right away. The Mustangs went for it on 4th-and-goal from the 2-yard line and were stuffed at the line of scrimmage.

The Eagles took over at the 1-yard line

Two plays later, defensive lineman Cedric Henderson made a tackle in the end zone — quickly discussed by officials — who agreed it was in the end zone and it was 2-0 early.

“That was amazing,” Bailey said. “We came up a little short and our defense has been bailing us out all year long.”

THIRD QUARTER OPENS WITH TRACK MEET

North Shore's offense could not be stopped on Friday night / Photo by Tom Dendy

The second half started with four touchdowns in the opening 3:20.

Both teams scored twice and at one point, a referee looked toward an assembled media group after a long touchdown run by North Shore and said, ‘I had just caught my breath.’

Points came in a hurry, showcasing how powerful each team can be.

Brown threw a touchdown to Kyran Lee on the opening drive of the third quarter but D’Andre Hardeman answered with a 63-yard touchdown run moments later for North Shore. Hardeman had 159 yards in the victory.

A long pass by Brown set up a short touchdown pass to Lee with 9 minutes to play — just 56 seconds after Hardeman’s score. Lee had 10 catches for 115 yards.

A mere 20 seconds after that, Chris Thomas busted open for a 75-yard touchdown run for North Shore.

“Coach (Willie) Gaston said keep throwing punches and usually they will fall down sooner or later,” Bailey said.

QUARTERBACKS PUT UP BIG NUMBERS

Atascocita quarterback Zion Brown throws a pass against North Shore on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023 / Photo by Tom Dendy

Bailey and Brown both had big games for their respective teams.

Bailey had more than 350 yards of total offense thanks to passing for 251 yards (16 of 21 passing) and ran the ball nine times for 95 yards. For what it is worth, the uncommitted Bailey had a towel around -- white with the trademark purple TCU letters. The Horned Frogs are one of 7 schools to have given Bailey an offer.

Brown had more yards than Bailey, thanks to completing 20 of 34 passes for 361 yards and also ran for 82 yards.

Sanchez praised his offense and said going against them in practice prepares them for big-time games like this.

“I feel like don’t go against a better offense these those guys,” Sanchez said. “We aren’t going up against anyone better than them and I feel like I won’t be going up against better receivers than the ones I have to guard every day.”

ONE MORE TO GO

North Shore senior receiver Chris Barnes elevates to catch a pass against Atascocita / Photo by Tom Dendy

The Mustangs will wrap up the regular season against Humble Kingwood on Thursday. Kingwood is 3-3 in district play and vying for a playoff berth with Sheldon C.E. King.

Meanwhile, Atascocita will look to bounce back from the loss and will be at home next week against Humble Summer Creek, which is 7-1 and 4-1.

Incidentally, Sheldon C.E. King and Summer Creek play on Saturday, Oct. 28.

Summer Creek and C.E. King will be in the 6A-Division II bracket, while Atascocita and North Shore will be in the 6A-Division I bracket. 

-- Cody Thorn | codythorn1981@gmail.com |@sblivetx

All photos by Tom Dendy.

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