Deer Park wins 37-36 in thrilling battle over Barbers Hill

Photo by Robert H Kelly, Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

By Chris Price
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

MONT BELVIEU, TEXAS (September 18, 2025)  In a game full of twists and big plays, Deer Park escaped with a 37-36 victory over Barbers Hill on Friday night in Mt. Belvieu. It was a wild matchup that went back and forth until the very end. 

Both teams came out ready to play. Barbers Hill and Deer Park traded blows, with neither side able to pull away early. As the first half ended, the game was still very much up for grabs. s. They made several key plays that helped them take a lead. Barbers Hill kept fighting, though, matching every big moment with their own big plays.

The fourth quarter was intense. Barbers Hill had a chance to win it, but Deer Park made a crucial play late that swung the game in their favor. The final score was 37-36 as the clock ran out. Barbers Hill nearly pulled off the comeback, but they came up just short. 

La Porte downs Deer Park 35-31 in first game in their new football stadium

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

LA PORTE, TEXAS (August 29, 2025) Deer Park jumped out to an early lead, but could not overcome the La Porte 21-point second quarter, as the Bulldogs downed their long-time rival by the score of 35-31 in front of a sellout crowd at La Porte Bulldog Stadium.

The $56-million stadium, which was completed this past spring, gave the Bulldogs their first win in their new home and their first win of the 2025 season.

Deer Park scored first at the 8:29 mark of the first quarter with a 71-yard pass to sophomore John Arthur French, scoring the first touchdown of the 2025 season for the Deer. They increased their lead with 3:45 left in the quarter when junior running back Trace Yates scampered in for the TD. Just prior to the end of the first quarter, senior Jose Garcia Mutate booted a 46-yard field to put the score at 17-0 after 12 minutes of play.

La Porte responded at the 11:45 mark in the second quarter with a 20-yard run by sophomore running back Sean Simon for the Bulldogs first score of the game. With the kicking conversion, La Porte cut the Deer lead to 10 points (7-17). Three and one-half minutes later (8:16-2nd quarter), Simon added a second TD for the Bulldogs with a 64-yard run. After the extra point, La Porte only trailed the Deer by three points (14-17). The Bulldogs kept their offensive push when senior Ashton Ruffin caught a Aiden Saenz pass for another TD for La Porte with 5:50 remaining the the first half. That score, along with the kicking conversion, allowed the Bulldogs to take the lead 21-17.

To not be fazed by the second quarter offensive juggernaut of the Bulldogs, the Deer responded 88 seconds into the third quarter, with an 84-yard pass run to enable Deer Park to regain the lead 24-21 at the half. 

La Porte scored a rushing TD early in the third quarter to give the Bulldogs a 28-24 lead. Deer Park regained the lead with seconds to go in the quarter, giving them a 31-28 lead with 12 minutes remaining in the game.

The Bulldogs punched in a rushing touchdown with less than four minutes remaining in the game to take back the lead 35-31. After kicking off to the Deer, they (Deer Park) matched down the field trying to take back the lead. In their final push with a first-and-ten from the Bulldog 10-yard line, the Deer received a 10-yard penalty for offensive holding, pushing them back to the La Porte 20-yard line. Four unsuccessful attempts to score enabled the Bulldogs to regain possession; allowing them to kneel and end the game with the win.

This year's contest was the 65th edition of the La Porte vs. Deer Park rivalry, dating back to 1946. The Deer has won the pass four years (2021-2024), with the Bulldogs win tonight kept La Porte with a slight edge in the overall history of the game.

Deer Park defeats Clear Lake, 38-21

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

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

DEER PARK, TEXAS (October 18, 2024)  In a Friday night matchup at Abshire Stadiukm, the Deer Park Deer football team came out on top, defeating the Clear Lake Falcons 38-21. The game was an important district contest in the UIL 6A Region III District 24. With this win, Deer Park improved their season record to 6-1, while Clear Lake fell to 2-5.

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.

North Shore blows past Deer Park in playoff action

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 9, 2023)  The No.1 ranked North Shore Mustangs pushed their season record to 11-0 as they downed the Deer Park Deer by the score of 42-14 at Galena Park ISD Stadium on Thursday evening in UIL bi-district playoff action. The win will pit the Mustangs against the Clear Springs Chargers, who eliminated Alvin Shadow Creek by the score of 36-7 in bi-district play, late next week. 

The Mustangs, who are ranked number 16 in the nation by MaxPreps.com, are setting on an 11-0 winning streak since their last loss. Last season, North Shore advanced to the UIL 6A Division I state championship game, where they came up short against eventual state champion Duncanville by the score of 28-21.

The Deer finished the season with a 9-2 record with their only other loss coming at the hands of J Frank Dobie Longhorns. The Longhorns, who were District 22-6A champions, upset the Deer on September 22 by the score of  38-35. Dobie was eliminated from the UIL playoffs with a 65-28 loss to Humble Atascocita on Friday evening at Pasadena's Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Deer Park falls to No. 5 North Shore 49-7

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS  (October 11, 2019) The No. 5 North Shore Mustangs continued its streamrolling of opponents in their 49-7 win over the Deer Park Deer on Friday evening at Abshire Stadium in Deer Park. The Mustangs raised their season record to 5-1 while the Deer dropped to 3-3 in Week 7 action.

The Mustags have outscored their opponents 140-66  through six games, and have already assured themselves of a playoff berth. The Deer, who have four games to play in District 21-6A action, must face C.E. King (Oct 18), Sterling (Oct 25), No. 2 West Brook (Nov 1), and Beaumont United (Nov 7). On the other hand, North Shore rounds out their final four regular season games facing No. 8 Beaumont Westbrook (Oct 24) and Channelview (Nov 8) on the road, and hosting Sterling (Oct 18) and Beaumont United (Nov 1).

In other UIL District 21-6A action, Westbrook downed Channelview 40-30, La Porte best Sterling 24-21, and Beaumont United lost to C.E. King 30-13.

North Shore tallies 723 yards of offense in 75-13 rout of Deer Park

North Shore's Roger Hagen (15) dives for
a few extra yards versus Deer Park.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis,
La Vita Loca Photography,
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 12, 2018) The No. 2 North Shore Mustangs continued their run to an eventual district championship with a 75-13 win over the Deer Park Deer at Galena Park ISD Stadium on Friday evening. Their 75 points was the most this season over any opponent and put them in the driver’s seat of UIL District 21-6A with four regular season games to go. 

The Mustangs have outscored their opponents in their first six games, 302-46; averaging just over 50 points a game. In their past twelve meetings dating back to 2004, North Shore has posted a 12-0 record against Deer Park. Their 75-13 win was the most points scored against the Deer since their 51-10 win on October 21, 2004. 

Against the Deer, Mustang quarterback Dematrius Davis completed 9-of-11 passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns. Zach Evans carried the ball nine times for 141 yards while Shadrach Banks caught four passes for 77 yards and one touchdown. The Mustangs tallied 723 yards of total offense against the Deer, the most of the season; pushing their average-per-game to 456 yards. 

With four games to go in the regular season, Deer Park fell to 2-4 overall and 1-3 in district play. The Mustangs are a perfect 6-0 and facing an October 19 match up against Baytown Sterling (2-4 season, 0-3 district). After playing Sterling, the Deer will close out the regular season against Baytown Sterling (October 19), Beaumont Westbrook (October 26), Beaumont United (November 3), and Channelview (November 9).

North Shore down Deer Park 48-7; advance to Area Round

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

DEER PARK, TEXAS (November 17, 2017) The North Shore Mustangs stampeded into Abshire Stadium in Deer Park and quickly showed why they are one of the dominant teams in the Houston area; downing the Deer Park Deer by the score of 48-7 in Bi-District action and as a results; advanced to the Area Round of the U.I.L. playoffs. 

The Mustangs put 21 points in the scoreboard in the first quarter and added an additional touchdown three minutes into the second quarter before the Deer could manage to get the ball into the end zone. The touchdown, a one-yard run by Broc Weidner, along with the Cameron Garner extra point were all the District 22-6A champion could muster. The Mustangs posted 519 yards of total offense, with 282 yards coming in the air, while holding the Deer to 228 yards in the air and only 19 yards rushing. Mustang starting quarterback Dematrius Davis completed all nine of his passing attempts for 241 yards and three touchdowns. while Zach Evans rushed six times for 110 yards.