Galena Park North Shore Wins Thriller Over Humble Atascocita
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Updated: October 28, 2024
photos: Steve Thomas
Late in Friday night’s contest, the Galena Park North Shore Mustangs found themselves in somewhat unfamiliar territory. With less than a minute remaining, the Mustangs trailed the Humble Atascocita Eagles 23-20. It was only the second time North Shore had trailed in a game this season. That was when wide receivers Cameron Smith and Quannell Farrakhan Jr made two of the biggest catches in their careers. The first catch was Smith’s 35-yard grab off a pass that he initially bobbled which put the Mustangs at first and goal. The second catch was Farrakhan’s game-winning touchdown on a five-yard pass from quarterback Kaleb Bailey. “We never stopped believing in each other,” Farrakhan said after the game.
Friday’s game featured plenty of fanfare leading up to it. Both teams were undefeated, ranked in the top ten in the state, and nationally ranked. The game also featured several high-profile prospects with Division I offers. Furthermore, the winner of the game would also have the inside track for the District 21-6A title. With all of the pregame fanfare and such high stakes, the game more than lived up to the hype.
In the heavyweight bout, most of the scoring occurred in the first half. Atascocita kicker Parker Cushing drew first blood with a 30-yard field goal. North Shore quarterback Kaleb Bailey responded with his first of two rushing touchdowns, but the Mustangs missed the extra-point. Following North Shore’s touchdown, Atascocita quarterback Cardae Mack responded with his first of two rushing touchdowns which put Atascocita back in front. Not to be outdone, Bailey responded on the ensuing drive with a three-yard keeper. Aided by a facemask and pass interference, Mack returned with a haymaker scoring on a 24-yard keeper. In the duel of dual-threat quarterbacks, Bailey rushed for about 130 yards and scored two touchdowns with his feet and also threw for one. Mack finished the night with around 170 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Mack also threw for a touchdown.
Conspicuously absent for most of the game was Atascocita running back Tory Blaylock. Blaylock was on the sidelines for most of the game until the fourth quarter. Despite Blaylock’s absence, Atascocita still featured a two-headed monster in the run game with Mack and running back/receiver Christopher Toney. After Mack’s 24-yard keeper, Toney extended Atascocita’s lead with a 21-yard touchdown catch. Shortly before halftime, North Shore running back D’Andre Hardeman Jr punched the ball into the end zone from one yard out to cut the deficit to 23-20.
In the second half, both defenses featured prominently. On the opening drive of the third quarter, the Mustangs were moving the ball effectively and appeared to be driving for a go-ahead score. However, the running back dropped the option pitch from Bailey; and Atascocita recovered at the Eagles’ own 15-yard line. On the ensuing drive, the slugfest continued except literally this time. An altercation between Atascocita receiver Brodrick Malone and a North Shore defender erupted and nearly led to the Mustangs bench emptying over to the Eagles’ bench to join the fray. The North Shore coaches were able to contain the bench, however. The incident ended with players from both teams being flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, and Malone was ejected.
With just over a minute remaining in the game, Atascocita seemed to be closing in on only its third win over their rivals from the Eastside. The Eagles had put an efficient drive together and forced North Shore to burn their remaining timeouts. All that was needed was a punt to pin North Shore back and let the defense seal the game. Unfortunately, the punter shanked the punt gave the Mustangs the ball at the Eagles’ 42-yard line. From there, Smith and Farrakhan Jr made their massive catches to give North Shore the win. North Shore now leads the all-time series 10-2. After the game, Mustang Head Coach Willie Gaston praised his team’s resilience and mental focus to not be phased by adversity.
Next week, the Mustangs(8-0, 5-0) will host the CE King Panthers (4-4. 2-3.)
Atascocita (7-1, 4-1), meanwhile, will travel to face the Channelview Falcons (1-7, 1-4.)
by Steve Thomas
Players Pictured
North Shore
#5 Nigel Pringle
#6 Devin Sanchez
#8 Cameron Smith
#15 Kaleb Bailey
#21 Morris Taylor
#24 Dezmon Christian
#28 D'Andre Hardeman Jr
#77 Jakoby Isom
Atascocita
#3 Kyran Pate
#4 Christopher Toney
#10 Hunter Sowell
#14 Cardae Mack
#56 Michael Musquiz
#57 Bryce Pena
#99 Chris Minor
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