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The first quarter started slow, with both teams feeling out the wet field. However, Kilgore quickly found their groove. A fumble recovery on La Vernia’s 8-yard line set up Eddie Jimenez’s 22-yard field goal, putting Kilgore up 3-0. Minutes later, Keion Sanders ran in a 29-yard touchdown to increase the lead to 10-0 by the end of the quarter.
Kilgore’s dominance continued in the second quarter. Quarterback Kayson Brooks connected with Miles Applegate for a 30-yard touchdown pass, making it 17-0. La Vernia finally answered just before halftime with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, narrowing the score to 17-7.
In the second half, Kilgore didn’t let up. Isaiah Watters scored twice on the ground, while Brooks delivered another deep touchdown pass, this time to Devin Tinney for 65 yards. Kilgore’s defense stayed tough, with sacks by Applegate and Dré Sanders and a late-game interception by Jakalen Sheffield.
La Vernia added another rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, but their two-point conversion attempt failed. Kilgore capped off their night with Watters’ second touchdown and Jimenez’s flawless kicking performance, going 5-for-5 on extra points.
CYPRESS, TEXAS (December 12, 2024) The Shiner Comanches kept their championship dreams alive with a commanding win over the Bremond Tigers in the UIL 2A Division 2 football semifinals on Thursday night. Shiner’s balanced offense and tough defense proved too much for Bremond, as they secured a spot in the state championship game.
Shiner's standout performance was powered by their star running back, who continued his dominant season with multiple touchdowns. The team’s offensive line paved the way for a ground game that kept Bremond's defense on their heels throughout the game. Bremond, known for its own powerful running attack, struggled to gain momentum against Shiner’s disciplined defensive front.
The Comanches showcased their trademark physical style early, jumping out to a first-half lead and never looking back. Bremond managed to close the gap briefly in the third quarter, but Shiner responded with a long touchdown drive to put the game out of reach.
For Bremond, their playoff journey ends after a stellar season marked by a 10-game winning streak heading into the semifinals. Despite the loss, standout performances from running back Terrence Scott and wide receiver Tristan Morehead kept the Tigers competitive against one of the state’s top teams.
Shiner, now boasting a 12-game win streak, advances to face the winner of the other semifinal matchup in the state championship. With their powerful run game and championship pedigree, the Comanches look poised for another title run.
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| North Shore will face Atascocita in the Region III final on Dec. 7. Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved |
HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 29, 2024) The North Shore Mustangs proved their strength in a 42-28 victory over the Katy Tigers during the Class 6A Division I Region III semifinals at NRG Stadium. While the game wasn’t perfect for North Shore, their resilience and star power made the difference.
The Mustangs (13-0) faced challenges, including penalties and turnovers, but quarterback Kaleb Bailey’s 300 passing yards and five touchdowns fueled the win. Wide receiver Quanell X Farrakhan Jr. electrified the game with big punt returns and a 51-yard touchdown catch before halftime. Running back D’Andre Hardeman Jr. added over 100 rushing yards, while cornerback Devin Sanchez led the defense, forcing two key turnovers.
North Shore’s 80th playoff win secured their 10th straight regional championship appearance.
Next, North Shore will face Atascocita on Dec. 7 at Thorne Stadium in a battle of district rivals. The Mustangs have dominated this matchup, winning the last nine meetings.
HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 27, 2024) The Houston Christian University Huskies started strong but couldn’t hold off a second-half comeback by Northern Arizona University (NAU), losing 74-71 on Thanksgiving Eve at Sharp Gymnasium. The Huskies led by two with less than two minutes left, but NAU’s Trenton McLaughlin hit a game-winning three-pointer with two seconds remaining.
HCU came out firing, building a 24-8 lead midway through the first half, thanks to a 15-point burst by Elijah Brooks. Julian Mackey joined in, helping the Huskies stretch their lead to 40-23 at halftime. HCU shot 60% in the first half while holding NAU to just 33%.
The second half, however, belonged to the Lumberjacks. A 17-2 run cut HCU’s lead to 57-53 with 10 minutes left. NAU’s hot shooting continued, and they tied the game late. Mackey’s jumper briefly gave HCU the lead, but McLaughlin’s step-back three sealed the win for NAU.
Despite the loss, Brooks and Mackey had career nights, combining for 57 points. Brooks scored 29 on 13-17 shooting, while Mackey added 28 with eight rebounds.
HCU falls to 2-5 after their third straight close loss. The Huskies will look to bounce back Saturday against UTSA in San Antonio, with tip-off set for 3 p.m.
HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 25, 2024) The Houston Christian University Huskies men's basketball team came close to an incredible comeback but fell just short, losing 74-73 to Eastern Michigan University on Monday night at Sharp Gym.
Down by 16 points with less than nine minutes left, the Huskies caught fire. D’Aundre Samuels led the charge, hitting four three-pointers in four minutes, pulling HCU back into the game. Elijah Brooks gave the Huskies their first lead since the first half with a fast break layup and a free throw, putting them up 68-67 with two minutes left.
But EMU didn’t back down. Da’Sean Nelson and Jalen Terry helped the Eagles regain control, with Terry’s two free throws proving to be the game-winners. HCU had a chance in the final seconds, but Julian Mackey’s last-second three-pointer missed, sealing the Huskies’ fate.
HCU shot an impressive 51% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc. Brooks led the Huskies with 17 points, while Samuels added a season-high 15. Bryson Dawkins and Mackey chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively.
EMU, now 4-2, was led by Nelson’s 19 points and Terry’s 18. The Eagles shot 57% overall, and their free throws made the difference.
The Huskies, now 2-4, wrap up their homestand on Wednesday night against Northern Arizona University at 7 p.m. at Sharp Gym.
HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 23, 2024) The HCU Huskies finished their 2024 football season in style, beating Northwestern State Demons 62-24 on "Senior Day" at Husky Stadium. The Huskies put on a show with over 600 yards of offense, making it a game to remember for their fans.
The game started with a big play by the HCU defense. They stopped the Demons on fourth down and got the ball at the Demons’ 43-yard line. That led to a 23-yard field goal by Dillon Fedor to give HCU an early 3-0 lead. After that, the Huskies couldn’t be stopped.
Quarterback Cutter Stewart connected with AJ Wilson for a 32-yard touchdown, while Calvin Hill added a two-yard rushing score, and Darryle Evans broke free for a 47-yard touchdown run. Just like that, HCU was up 24-7 early in the second quarter.
After the break, HCU came out strong. On their first drive of the third quarter, Hill broke free for a 25-yard touchdown, capping a quick 79-yard drive. D.J. Harris then picked off a pass from the Demons and returned it to the 15-yard line. Stewart took advantage, hitting Deuce McMillan for an 11-yard touchdown. The Huskies led 38-14 just three minutes into the second half.
In the fourth quarter, Stewart found Ismael Fuller for a 36-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 59-17. The Demons scored one last time early in the quarter, but HCU sealed the win with a long, time-eating drive that ended with a 27-yard field goal by Fedor.
HCU’s 617 total yards of offense was the fourth-highest in school history, and their 332 rushing yards ranked third. Calvin Hill led the ground game with 109 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Wilson had another big game, catching three passes for 123 yards and a touchdown, marking his fourth straight 100-yard game. Stewart finished with 296 passing yards and three touchdowns.
The Huskies’ defense was just as impressive, holding Northwestern State to only 211 yards and 10 first downs. Harris had nine tackles and his first career interception, while Joe Cadette added six tackles, a sack, and 1.5 tackles for loss.
With the win, HCU finished the season 5-7 overall and 3-4 in the Southland Conference. Northwestern State ended their season winless at 0-12.
HCU fans have a lot to be excited about as the team looks to carry this momentum into next year.
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| Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loco Photography Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved |
The game didn’t start off smoothly for the Huskies, as they had a slow opening, but they quickly turned things around. Trent Johnson got the scoring started with a three-pointer just 10 seconds in, and soon after, Bryson Dawkins added a driving layup. Midway through the first half, though, Avila closed the gap to just one point, making it 13-12.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loco Photography
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
The Huskies then found their groove, sparked by plays from Ivan Reynolds and Julian Mackey. A 24-8 run helped HCU finish the half with a comfortable 37-20 lead. They carried that momentum into the second half, extending their lead with strong performances from Dawkins, who scored eight points in two minutes, and Demari Williams (shown above), who added two back-to-back dunks.
HCU’s defense held Avila to just 39.3% shooting, and their offense fired with contributions from players across the roster. Dawkins led with 18 points, while Williams and Mackey chipped in with 11 each, and Bazil added 10. Overall, four Huskies scored in double figures, showcasing the team’s balanced approach.
With a 1-0 record, the Huskies now prepare for a challenging road trip. They will face No. 19 Texas in Austin on Friday and then travel to play No. 15 Creighton next Wednesday. HCU will be back at home on November 16 to host Rockford University.
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| Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved |
The match was full of emotion and high-stakes moments. In the final minutes of regulation, Seattle’s Cristian Roldan put the Sounders on top, scoring in the 87th minute to break a scoreless tie. Houston responded quickly, however, forcing an own goal from Seattle in stoppage time. Defender Griffin Dorsey sent a pass into the box that ended up in the back of the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and keeping the Dynamo’s hopes alive.
The penalty shootout that followed was tense, with each team converting their attempts until Houston’s seventh shot. Dynamo defender Tate Schmitt stepped up, but Seattle’s goalkeeper Stefan Frei made a crucial save, diving to his right and blocking the shot with his legs. That save clinched the series for Seattle and ended the Dynamo’s hopes for a deeper playoff run.
Houston showed plenty of resilience throughout the game, even after playing with only 10 men for the final 25 minutes. For the second match in a row, a Dynamo player received a red card, forcing the team to finish shorthanded. In this game, captain Héctor Herrera was sent off after a review from the video assistant referee (VAR) found him guilty of unsporting behavior. In Game 1, it was midfielder Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla who received a red card, keeping him out of Game 2. Despite this challenge, the Dynamo battled hard to keep the game close.
Houston’s playoff journey this season comes as part of a strong campaign. The team earned the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference with a record of 15 wins, 10 losses, and 9 draws, setting club records for both road wins (8) and points in a season (54). This was the second year in a row that the Dynamo made it to the playoffs, a back-to-back feat they hadn’t achieved since 2013.
There were several close chances for Houston to score in regulation. In the first half, Herrera connected with defender Erik Sviatchenko, whose header was on target. Forward Ezequiel Ponce nearly scored twice, with one shot cleared off the line by Seattle’s defense and another saved by Frei. Herrera himself took a shot from outside the box in the 58th minute, which forced Frei to make another save. Forward Aliyu Ibrahim also tested the Seattle goalkeeper, adding to the pressure.
Goalkeeper Steve Clark, making his 20th postseason appearance, played a big role for the Dynamo as well. His experience kept Houston in the game, and he made several key stops to give his team a chance.
In the end, Houston’s season ends in disappointment, but fans can be proud of the team’s fight and determination. As they look to the future, the Dynamo can build on this season’s achievements and look forward to more playoff runs in the years to come.
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| Source: Houston Dash |
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| Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved |
The game began with strong defensive efforts from both teams. Atascocita was the first to break through, putting three points on the board with a 30-yard field goal by Rayvon Sauls. North Shore responded quickly, however, thanks to a powerful 24-yard rushing touchdown from their quarterback, Kaleb Bailey (shown above). Unfortunately for North Shore, they missed the extra point, leaving the score at 6-3 at the end of the first quarter.
The action ramped up in the second quarter as both teams found their rhythm on offense. Atascocita’s Cardae Mack was a standout player, scoring two rushing touchdowns. His first, a 14-yard run, gave Atascocita the lead again at 9-6. Even though they missed the two-point conversion, the Eagles showed they were ready to fight.
North Shore struck back when Bailey ran in his second touchdown of the night, this time from two yards out. This put North Shore back on top at 13-9. But Atascocita answered right away with another big run by Mack, setting up a 24-yard rushing touchdown and then adding an extra point, pushing their lead to 16-13.
Atascocita wasn’t done yet. Mack showed off his passing skills, connecting with Cj Toney for a 21-yard touchdown that widened the lead to 23-13. But North Shore didn’t let up, and D’andre Hardeman Jr. powered into the end zone from 1 yard out right before halftime. This cut Atascocita’s lead to just three points, with the score sitting at 23-20.
The second half started slower, with both teams’ defenses digging in. North Shore had an early chance in the third quarter, getting into Atascocita’s red zone, but they lost the ball on a fumble. The two teams kept pushing, with Atascocita fighting to maintain their lead and North Shore looking for a breakthrough.
With just under a minute left in the game, North Shore finally found that breakthrough. They worked their way back down the field, getting into the red zone, where Quanell Farrahkan Jr. punched in a five-yard rushing touchdown. The extra point was good, and North Shore took a 27-23 lead with seconds left on the clock.
Despite some last attempts by Atascocita to regain control, North Shore held strong and finished the game on top. It was a thrilling end to a game full of hard hits, big runs, and even bigger plays. The Mustangs celebrated their hard-earned win, while Atascocita left the field with heads held high after an impressive showing.
For North Shore, this win was a big momentum boost. They came through in the clutch and proved they could handle a tight game under pressure. As for Atascocita, they showed they have the talent and grit to challenge even the toughest opponents.
In the end, North Shore’s last-minute touchdown made the difference, leaving the final score 27-23 in favor of the Mustangs.
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HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 19, 2024) Houston Dynamo FC ended their regular season on a high note with a thrilling 2-1 victory over LA Galaxy in front of a sold-out crowd at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday. The game had a dramatic finish, with defender Daniel Steres scoring the match-winning goal deep into stoppage time.
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| The score was tied at 21 at the half in Friday evenings' game between Deer Park and Clear Lake. Photo by Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography Copyright 204 All Rights Reserved |
Deer Park started the game strong, showing their dominance on both offense and defense. The Deer moved the ball effectively, gaining yards on the ground and through the air. Their defense was also solid, keeping Clear Lake from finding much success early on.
By halftime, the score was 21-7 in favor of Deer Park, as they built a comfortable lead. The Clear Lake Falcons struggled to keep up, but they didn’t give up. In the second half, Clear Lake managed to put together some scoring drives, but it wasn’t enough to catch up to the Deer, who continued to add to their lead.
Deer Park’s ability to control the pace of the game helped them secure the victory. Their running game was a key part of their offense, and they also made big plays when they needed to through the air. The Deer’s defense also stepped up with some critical stops, keeping the Falcons from closing the gap.
Now, Deer Park has their sights set on their next game, an away matchup against the Brazoswood Buccaneers on Friday, October 25. Brazoswood is having a tough season with an 0-7 record. They are coming off a big loss to Dickinson, 84-28, which means Deer Park will enter the game as the clear favorite.
On the other side, the Clear Lake Falcons are looking to bounce back. They will host Clear Creek on Thursday, October 24. Clear Creek also holds a 2-5 record after defeating Clear Brook 31-14 in their last game. Both Clear Lake and Clear Creek are hoping to improve their seasons with a win in this matchup.
For Deer Park, the victory against Clear Lake was an important step in their quest to stay at the top of the district standings. The Deer have been strong all season and will look to continue their winning ways as they push toward the playoffs.
As for Clear Lake, they’ll need to regroup and come out strong against Clear Creek if they want to turn their season around.
The Deer’s performance on Friday night showed why they’re one of the best teams in the district. With a balanced attack and a tough defense, Deer Park is ready to take on all challengers as they move forward in the season.
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| Submitted photo, Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved |
HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 13, 2024) In a lopsided game on Friday night, North Shore cruised to a commanding 47-3 victory over Spring Westfield. The Mustangs of North Shore were in control for most of the game, showing off their strong defense and explosive offense.
The game started slow with both teams struggling to find their rhythm on offense. North Shore's quarterback, Kaleb Bailey, completed a long pass early to Deion Deblanc, but the drive eventually stalled, and they had to punt. Westfield’s defense did its part too, forcing punts and keeping the score at 0-0 for most of the first quarter.
But with around four minutes left, North Shore’s special teams sparked the game. Quanell Farrakhan took a punt return 85 yards for a touchdown, putting North Shore on the board first. Jonathan Soto kicked the extra point, making it 7-0.
The second quarter is when North Shore began to take over. Chris Thomas scored on a 1-yard rushing touchdown early, pushing the lead to 14-0. Westfield managed to respond with a 25-yard field goal from Davon Smith, but it would be their only points of the game.
Before the half, North Shore’s D’Andre Hardeman broke free for a 32-yard rushing touchdown. After another successful extra point, the score was 21-3. A last-second 20-yard field goal by Jonathan Soto gave North Shore a comfortable 24-3 lead heading into halftime.
Westfield came out of the half hoping to turn things around, but North Shore's defense stayed tough. Kylan Darville had multiple sacks, and Westfield was forced to punt early in the third quarter.
North Shore continued to dominate on offense. Kaleb Bailey connected with Quanell XJr again, this time for a 34-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 31-3. Then, the Mustangs' defense added two more points with a safety, making it 33-3.
Shortly after, Avan Brown ran in an 11-yard touchdown, pushing the lead to 40-3.
Westfield had some bright moments in the final quarter but couldn’t find the end zone. North Shore sealed the game with one last touchdown by Terence Blackshure, who scored from the 1-yard line to make it 47-3.
Despite Westfield’s efforts, they turned the ball over on downs late in the game, and North Shore ran out the clock to finish the dominant win.
North Shore’s defense was the star of the game, constantly pressuring Westfield and forcing them to punt on almost every drive. Their offense, led by Kaleb Bailey, made big plays when needed, and their special teams were a difference-maker.
With the win, North Shore improves to 3-0, while Westfield will look to bounce back next week.
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| Submitted Photo, Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved |
