Colleyville Heritage downs El Paso Americas in close UIL baseball playoff game

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

MIDLAND, TEXAS (May 17, 2025) In a hard-fought playoff game, Colleyville Heritage held off El Paso Americas High School with a 6-5 win in the UIL Class 5A Division I area round of the Texas high school baseball playoffs. 

Americas jumped out to an early 4-1 lead after the second inning. Senior catcher Daniel Quiñones helped the Trail Blazers get started with a strong hit in the first. Junior pitcher Jayden Perales also added a big hit in the second inning.

But Colleyville Heritage fought back. They scored five runs over the next four innings to take a 6-4 lead. Americas added one more run in the sixth inning to make it 6-5, but couldn’t catch up.

Even though they lost, Americas had a great season. They finished with a 30-8 record and won the District 1-6A championship. 

Smithson Valley wins Texas 5A Division 1 state championship

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

ARLINGTON, TEXAS (December 21, 2024) Smithson Valley made history on Saturday, beating Highland Park 32-20 in the Texas 5A Division 1 state championship at AT&T Stadium. Junior kicker Trent Amaya was the star of the game, tying a UIL state record by making four field goals.

Amaya showed his skills early, nailing field goals from 27 and 35 yards in the first quarter. He followed up with a 24-yarder in the second quarter and a 30-yarder in the third. While he missed a fifth attempt in the final quarter, his contributions kept the Rangers ahead throughout the game.

Quarterback Cade Spradling was another key player for Smithson Valley. He rushed for 147 yards and scored two touchdowns. In the second quarter, he connected with Brody Day on a 24-yard touchdown pass. Then, with just 3:39 left in the fourth quarter, Spradling ran for a 4-yard touchdown to seal the victory.

Running back Brad Sowersby also had a strong performance, leading the game with 152 rushing yards on 22 carries. On defense, Julian Colunga made a big play, returning an interception 23 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter.

For Highland Park, quarterback Buck Randall had an impressive game, throwing for 316 yards and two touchdowns. He connected with Benton Owens for a 73-yard touchdown and Cannon Bozman for a 49-yard score. But it wasn’t enough to overcome Smithson Valley's balanced attack.

The win capped off a great season for Smithson Valley, finishing with a 14-2 record and bringing home the state title.

Shiner claims victory over Bremond in thrilling state semifinal

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

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.

North Shore overcomes Katy in playoff thriller

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

Story by Robert H Kelly
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 Dynamo FC season ends in heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Seattle Sounders FC

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 3, 2024) Houston Dynamo FC’s season came to a dramatic close at Shell Energy Stadium after a tough penalty shootout loss to Seattle Sounders FC. After 120 intense minutes of regulation and extra time, the game was tied 1-1. But in the penalty shootout, Seattle edged out Houston 7-6, ending the Dynamo’s 2024 playoff run in Game 2 of the Round One Best-of-3 series of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.

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.

Pasadena Eagles advance to UIL State Volleyball Playoffs

Story and photo by Chris Price

Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (November 1, 2024) Playing in front of load and boisterous crowd, the Pasadena Eagles volleyball team extended their season with a "play-in game" victory against the Crosby Cougars at Bob Barfield Gymnasium in Pasadena. The Lady Eagles downed the Cougars in four sets to avenge their previous meetings this season.

Having faced off three previous times this season. On August 31, Crosby came out top by the score of 2-1 (20-25, 29-27, 13-15) in the Dobie Longhorn Tournament. In district play, the two District 18-5A, foes played each out on September 24 and October 18. In the September match, Pasadena came out on top, 3-2 (24-26, 15-16, 19025, 12-25, 15-10). In their district rematch, the Eagles dropped the five-set match 2-3 (25-12, 10-25, 26-24, 24-26, 13-15).

In the Friday night match, Crosby jumped out to a 1-0 lead, by the score 28-26. The Lady Eagles rebounded from the first set loss, to win the next three (25-22, 25-22, 25-19) to advance to the UIL 5A state playoffs. Last season (2023) they advanced to the 6A playoffs as one of the representatives of District 22-6A.

In securing the fourth-place finish in District 18-5A, they will face the College Station A&M Consolidated Tigers, who is the District 17-5A champion, The Tigers post a 32-10 season record while bring and undefeated record (12-0) into the playoffs. Pasadena finished the regular season with a 21-13 record with a 6-7 record in district play. Both teams will be playing in Division 1 of the 5A playoffs.

The Eagles and Tigers will meet in the first round on Tuesday, November 5 with a 6 p.m. start in Pasadena.

Houston Dynamo FC set for playoff battle against Seattle Sounders FC

By Chris Price
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 20, 2024) Houston Dynamo FC is heading back to the playoffs! They will face the Seattle Sounders FC in Game 1 of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. The match will take place on Monday, Oct. 28, at 8:00 p.m. CT in Seattle. This is the first game in the Round One Best-of-3 Series. Fans can expect an exciting showdown as these two teams go head-to-head for a chance to advance in the tournament.

After the first game in Seattle, the Dynamo will return to Houston to play Game 2 on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 5:30 p.m. CT at Shell Energy Stadium. Tickets for this crucial game are available starting at $25 on SeatGeek. Fans attending the match will receive a free playoff rally towel, courtesy of Shell Energy, to help cheer on the team.

If the series is tied after two games, Game 3 will be held back in Seattle on Sunday, Nov. 10, at 6:00 p.m. CT. This game would decide who moves forward in the playoffs.

Houston Dynamo enters the playoffs as the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. They finished the regular season with a record of 15-10-9, earning 54 points. The team also set a new club record for total points in a single season and road wins, with eight victories away from home.

In their last regular-season game, the Dynamo defeated LA Galaxy 2-1 on Decision Day, securing their playoff spot. Their opponent, Seattle Sounders, finished as the No. 4 seed with a 16-9-9 record and 57 points. This gives Seattle homefield advantage for Game 1 and Game 3, if necessary.

This is the third time Houston and Seattle have faced off in the playoffs. The Sounders currently hold a 2-1-1 record against the Dynamo in postseason play. The two teams met twice during the regular season this year. The Dynamo secured a 2-2 draw in Houston back in June but lost 1-0 in Seattle in September.

The Round One Best-of-3 Series features the top seven teams from each conference, along with two Wild Card teams. Every team in this round gets at least one home game, giving fans a chance to see their team play on their turf. If Houston can win two out of three games against Seattle, they’ll move on to the next round.

Melissa softball downs Lake Belton in UIL state semifinal

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography        Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

AUSTIN, TEXAS (May 31, 2024) The Melissa Cardinals (shown above) added another impressive win to their record on Friday as they defeated Lake Belton 4-0 in the Class 5A state semifinal, played at the University of Texas' Red & Charline McCombs Field.

Caigan CrabtreeCaigan Crabtree, a standout player whom has committed to Texas, had a fantastic game. She went 3-for-3 at the plate, hitting RBI doubles in the first and third innings. She also made a spectacular leaping catch at shortstop in the fourth inning. Thanks to Crabtree’s stellar performance, Melissa secured their spot in the state title game, which will take place on Saturday at 1 p.m. against Harlingen SouthHarlingen South.

Melissa is hoping to become the first Dallas-area team to win a UIL softball state title since Forney did in 2018. Freshman second baseman Amariee Bradford hit her seventh home run of the season in the bottom of the sixth inning, giving Melissa a state-record total of 90 home runs for the season. This total ranks them second in national history, with only Stonewall North Desoto from Louisiana having hit more, with 105 homers in 2022.

Melissa’s team features three of the most prolific sluggers in state history. Freshman Hutton Adrian has hit 22 home runs, breaking the Dallas-area single-season record. Sophomore Kennedy Bradley has 20 homers, and junior Caigan Crabtree has 19. Together, these three players have combined for 186 hits, 116 extra-base hits, and 180 RBIs in 39 games this season.

The game started an hour late due to bad weather, but Melissa wasn’t fazed. Bradley singled in the first inning, and Crabtree followed with an RBI double to put Melissa on the board. In the third inning, Bradley singled again, and Crabtree hit another RBI double. Bradford added a sacrifice fly, scoring Crabtree and giving Melissa a 3-0 lead.

Bradley, who transferred to Melissa from Prosper Rock Hill, had shoulder surgery last year and couldn’t swing a bat for six months. But she showed her strength by going 2-for-3 in the game. Melissa’s pitcher, Alex Starr, a Michigan State pledge, pitched a three-hit shutout, stranding six runners and improving her record to 28-1.

Lake Belton, who had averaged 6.8 runs per game in the playoffs, couldn’t score against Starr. Despite winning 35 of their last 36 games, Lake Belton couldn’t overcome Melissa’s strong defense and pitching.

North Shore rallies to secure a thrilling victory over Atascocita

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

PASADENA, TEXAS (December 2, 2023) In a heart-pounding showdown at Veterans Memorial Stadium, the North Shore Mustangs staged a remarkable comeback to overcome an eight-point halftime deficit and defeated the Atascocita Eagles 34-28 in the UIL Region III-6A Division I final Saturday afternoon. The win marked North Shore's eighth consecutive triumph over Atascocita and extended their overall series lead to 9-2 since 2016.

The game began with a spectacular 61-yard kickoff by North Shore's, Khamani Hudson, pinning Atascocita on its own 2-yard line. However, Atascocita swiftly turned the tables as senior quarterback Zion Brown connected with Jelani Watkins for an electrifying 98-yard touchdown pass, setting the tone for a competitive matchup. Atascocita extended its lead to 14-0 after Cardae Mack's 26-yard TD run late in the first quarter.

Despite facing adversity, North Shore found their rhythm in the second half. Kaleb Bailey, North Shore's quarterback, orchestrated a comeback, connecting with Christopher Barnes for a 55-yard TD pass, narrowing Atascocita's lead to 14-13 early in the third quarter.

North Shore's special teams then came up big, blocking Atascocita's punt and allowing Dezmon Christian to scoop up the ball for a 24-yard touchdown, giving the Mustangs their first lead at 20-14. Hudson continued to shine, this time intercepting a pass and setting up Bailey for a 2-yard TD run, extending North Shore's lead to 27-14.

Bailey's connection with Barnes for a 65-yard TD pass further solidified North Shore's dominance, securing a 34-14 lead with just over seven minutes left in the game. Atascocita, refusing to go down without a fight, staged a late rally as Brown found Cameron Glenn for two touchdown passes, but time ultimately ran out for the Eagles.

Star performances were aplenty, with Barnes securing seven receptions for an impressive 203 yards and two touchdowns for North Shore. On the opposing side, Glenn showcased his skills with seven receptions for 83 yards and two TDs for Atascocita. Christian's momentum-changing play, the 24-yard scoop-and-score in the third quarter, was a crucial highlight for North Shore.

North Shore prevails in thrilling playoff showdown over Clear Springs

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2023, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 17, 2023) In a Texas high school football playoff showdown that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the number one ranked North Shore Mustangs secured a hard-fought 49-21 victory over Clear Springs in the area round. The Mustangs faced a resilient Clear Springs squad (7-5) that refused to back down, making it an exhilarating match until North Shore's late-game surge. The Mustangs, sitting proudly at No. 9 in the country, found themselves in a tight battle with Clear Springs for the majority of the game. The first half ended with a 14-14 tie, showcasing the determination of both teams. Clear Springs, seemingly undeterred by the formidable opponent, matched North Shore step for step. As the clock ticked down late into the third quarter, the game remained deadlocked at 21-21. It was at this critical juncture that North Shore decided to showcase why they are considered one of the top teams in the nation. In a spectacular display of skill and determination, the Mustangs unleashed a barrage of 28 unanswered points, leaving Clear Springs in their wake. Leading the charge for the Mustangs was the dynamic D'Andre Hardeman, who showcased his prowess with three crucial rushing touchdowns. Hardeman's 90-yard sprint for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter solidified North Shore's lead, making it a two-score game and sending a surge of energy through the Mustangs' faithful supporters. However, the game took an unexpected turn when North Shore's junior quarterback, Kaleb Bailey, left the field due to an apparent injury in the third quarter. With the score tied and tension in the air, sophomore Kaleb Maryland stepped up to the plate. Maryland not only scored the go-ahead touchdown with a two-yard keeper but also took charge of the offense, guiding the Mustangs to victory in Bailey's absence. Looking ahead, North Shore's journey through the Texas high school football playoffs continues as they gear up to face Cy-Fair in the regional semifinal round of the UIL 6A D1 playoffs. The Bobcats, are coming of a 28-21 triumph over Katy in the area round. The Mustangs and Bobcats will faceoff on Friday, November 24 with a 2 p.m. CST kickoff at NRG Stadium.

Houston Dynamo FC edges Real Salt Lake in thrilling playoff shootout

Photo credit: Houston Dynamo FC
Used with permission.

By Chris Price
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserves

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 11, 2023)  In a heart-stopping showdown at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday night, Houston Dynamo FC clinched a spot in the Western Conference Semifinals of the Audi MLS playoffs by triumphing over Real Salt Lake 4-3 in a penalty shootout. The captivating encounter concluded with a 1-1 draw in regulation, setting the stage for a nail-biting series of penalty kicks.

The victory propels the Dynamo into the conference semifinals for the eighth time in the club's history, adding another chapter to their storied postseason legacy. Their next challenge awaits, as they are set to face Sporting Kansas City on either Saturday, Nov. 25, or Sunday, Nov. 26. Houston holds a favorable 4-1 record over Sporting in their postseason history.

The penalty shootout drama began with a crucial save from Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark, denying Real Salt Lake's Diego Luna. However, the intensity soared as both teams traded successful penalties until Houston's Nelson Quinones had his shot saved by Salt Lake's Zac MacMath. The tension reached its peak when Salt Lake's Danny Musovski hit the left post, paving the way for Griffin Dorsey's decisive shot that secured the 4-3 shootout victory for the Dynamo.

Houston had initially taken the lead in the 28th minute with a well-crafted goal. Captain Hector Herrera delivered a precise cross to Quiñónes, who expertly played the ball across to Corey Baird for the opening goal. Baird's clinical finish marked his first-ever MLS postseason goal, setting the Dynamo faithful alight.

Real Salt Lake, however, responded in the 65th minute, leveling the score at 1-1 with a goal from Diego Luna off a cross from Bryan Oviedo. The back-and-forth action kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout the regulation period.

Herrera showcased his playmaking prowess, finishing the night with three chances created. His contribution in the final third has been a consistent highlight for the Dynamo, tallying an impressive 17 assists in the regular season.

The Dynamo faced adversity early on when they conceded the first shot of the game in the fourth minute, but resilient defending and the heroics of goalkeeper Steve Clark kept Salt Lake at bay. Clark's two key saves during regulation played a crucial role in preserving the deadlock.

The game was the sixth meeting between the two squads this year, and the Dynamo maintained an unbeaten record against Salt Lake in regulation, boasting a 3-0-3 (WLD) record in all competitions.

Clear Falls downs Strake Jesuit 45-10

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

LEAGUE CITY, TEXAS (November 10, 2023) In another one-sided game in the high school football playoffs,  the Clear Falls Knights eliminated the Strake Jesuit Crusaders from the UIL playoffs with a 45-10 win at Challenger-Columbia Stadium on Friday night. 

The Knights, who raised their season record to 7-4, used a balanced attack of both passing and rushing on offense to down the 3-8 Crusaders. Clear  Falls will next face C E King next week. 

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.

Chiefs/Browns - More then just a Mahomes/Mayfield rematch

Photo courtesy of Eric Drost via flickr.com

By Lou Roesch
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TXEAS (January 12, 2021) The Kansas City Chiefs will welcome the Cleveland Browns to Arrowhead Stadium for the premier game of the divisional round on Sunday afternoon. A game that will be more then just the rematch of Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield. Of course, you remember that classic collegiate gridiron battle when they combined for 1700 plus yards of offense and 125 points. Although, they will be key to their team's success or lack thereof there are three more important points may create another improbable Browns win.

Cleveland Browns

1.Chip on their shoulder

Let's make one thing perfectly clear, this is not a Cinderella team. This is a team that went 11-5 in the regular season and came from a division that sent three teams to the playoffs, This is a team that came into Pittsburgh having not won there in forever and a day and no one really giving them much of a chance to break that streak except for maybe the guy that bet a half million on them to win. Instead everything broke in their favor early on and like a good team they took advantage of those moments. The mindset will undoubtedly be that no on takes us seriously just like against Pittsburgh, Even after Cleveland had put up 35 first half points, people were still on social media saying remember this is Cleveland referring more likely then not back to "The Drive" which was incidentally back in 1987 before many Cleveland fans today and their whole team were even born but such is the status o long memories of heartache and disappointment.  Regardless of the outcome this weekend, this is not the same Cleveland playoff teams of yesteryear. This team has playmakers on both sides of the ball and they come to play with a chip on their shoulder.

2. Health of the Cleveland "O" line

The Cleveland offensive line even banged up against the Pittsburgh Steelers was able to protect Baker Mayfield just enough. Now though they get a whole new challenge and they get back possibly the most important piece of the line ---2nd Team All Pro Joel Botinio. Along with Jack Conklin who left Sunday's game with a hamstring injury, the duo has anchored a line that finished third in rushing yards, tied for fifth in rushing yards per carry, fifth in rushing touchdowns, second in runs of 20-plus yards, and allowing just 26 sacks. It was a banged up line coming into Pittsburgh that it had to pluck a New York Jets practice squad player in Blake Hance to plug the gap filled by injuries and COVID-19.

3. Browns coaching staff

Underrated is the best way to describe the Cleveland Browns coaching staff. Head coach Kevin Stefanski sidelined by COVID turned over the duties to his acting head coach Matt Priefer and play calling to Pittsburgh native Alex Van Pelt. Neither let him down. The mark of a good leader is what the rest will do without him around. The Cleveland coaching staff epitomized their leader. 

 "I trust my team. I trust my guys. I trust the players. I trust the coaches. The goal was to find a win any which way we had to. You saw guys stepping up and making plays and people in different roles, doing a great job. I'm so very, very proud of the effort," Stefanski said after the win. "I thought they played with a ton of physicality and enthusiasm, which was readily apparent to me.  

A tale of two state champions...and two quarterbacks

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2021
All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

KATY, TEXAS (January 9, 2021) It was a battle between two 2019 state champions. The semifinal game to the determine one of the final two teams playing for the UIL State 6A Division 1 state championship. They both had been there before. The Galena Park North Shore Mustangs were the 6A Division I state champions in 2019. The Austin Westlake Chaparrals were the 2019 6A Division II champions.  It was not only a battle between two storied high schools. It was a battle between two quarterbacks who led their respective teams to undefeated seasons leading up to the contest at Legacy Stadium in Katy. Westlake came out on top, by the score of 24-21 in a game that was, in this writer's opinion, the most even matchup of two teams in the current UIL playoffs; and the most evenly matched quarterbacks in Texas.

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2021
All Rights Reserved

The Chaparrals were led by junior Cade Klubnik (shown above), with the Mustangs being led by senior Dematrius Davis (shown left). Klubnik will return to Westlake in the fall of 2021 to lead the Chaparrals, while Davis will begin his college career, in the fall, with the Auburn Tigers. Their individual stats tell part of the story of how the game went.

Klubnik completed 15 of 27 passes for 172 yards (55.56%) with two touchdowns. He also carried the ball 10 times for 14 yards and one touchdown. His longest run was eight yards. Davis, on the other hand, completed 10 of 19 passes for 140 yards (52.16%) with two touchdowns. He rushed 19 times for 69 yards and one touchdown. Their stats were fairly close, except for one important area; interceptions, Klubnik was not picked off during the game, while Davis threw two interceptions. That was difference...interceptions. That statistic is not to imply that it cost the Mustangs the game. It simply shows that anything can happen in a game, and if it CAN happen, it usually does. That is the nature of the sport.

Both of these fine young men are destined for great things. Klubnik and the Chaparrals will next face Southlake Carroll for the Texas state championship on Saturday, January 16 at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington. Davis' next game will be on Saturday, September 4 when the Auburn Tigers play the Akron Zips at Jordan-Hare Stadium, in Auburn, Alabama.

Steelers Nation readies for another Super Bowl run

Photo by Brook Ward, via flickr.com

By Lou Roesch

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA (January 9, 2021) The Pittsburgh Steelers are used to being in the NFL playoffs. Reaching the playoffs is like settling down to warm, cozy family dinner at the holidays. It's that time when "The Patriarch" stands up up to offer a toast. On Sunday, the Steeles Nation will do just that gathering around TV sets across the nation as they host the new kid on the block the Cleveland Browns.

Pittsburgh has been one of the most consistent NFL franchises. They have had just two head coaches since Chuck Noll stopped patrolling the sidelines in the Steel City, a pan of 50-plus years. Over their 67-year history, the team has been owned by one family; the Rooney's.

Art Rooney, the original patriarch of the Steeler faithful paid the NFL franchise fee of $2,500 and on July 8, 1933 the Pittsburgh Steelers were born. Robert Kelly, longtime Steelers fan and owner of TexSport Publications in Houston, reminisced about how he became a Steelers fan.

"I  was born in Pittsburgh. My mother was a Steelers fan. Her parents (my grandparents) were Steelers fans. Her brother, his wife and their children were all Steelers fans. I was born into "Steeler Nation."  In addition, my mother and grandparents lived in the same neighborhood in Pittsburgh as the Rooney family, who own the Steelers. They my mother and her parents, went to the same church as the Rooneys and my mother went to school with Dan Rooney (American executive and diplomat best known for his association with the Pittsburgh Steelers) and son of the Steelers' founder, Art Rooney. I guess you can say the Black and Gold is in my blood. 

For some, the Black and Gold is embodied by the last 16 years, with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the helm of the Steelers offense. Big Ben stands 6'5" and 240 pounds, and is not easily taken down. Defenses know that the Steelers are going to throw the ball especially since 2010. He is the NFL leader in Empty Backfield Snaps and yet they seldom can stop him. Notwithstanding, a season ending injury in 2019, Big Ben is as durable they come, having missed just one game to injury in the previous three seasons, before 2019. Since 2013, he has missed just five games due to injury. That durability is what has led to much of the Steelers s playoff success. The Steelers with Roethlisberger under center have never missed the playoffs more then two consecutive years which, adheres to their franchise where they have appeared in the playoffs in 30 times in 60 years. Behind Roethlisberger, the Steelers are 13-8 headed into his  22nd postseason start with two Super Bowl titles in three tries.

"Ben Roethlisberger is a competitor," continued Kelly. "In all his years in football; high school, college, and professional; he has always found a way to win.  It is as if to say he "has to win." It is ingrained in his persona."

Without much of a run game, the Steelers will depend on Big Ben to be the quarterback of the Pittsburgh team that started 12-0 where he completed 67% of his passes for 25 touchdowns against five INT's. The Steelers are 25-3-1 with Roethlisberger against the Browns including 15-0 at home. The Steelers franchise quarterback owns the Browns having more wins against the team that passed on him in 2004 draft allowing him to travel the 133 miles from Cleveland to  Pittsburgh then any signal caller in NFL history. 

As the patriarch of this team, the Steelers will go as far as Big Ben's arm will take them. 

"If Ben is at his peak, and all of his teammate are "with him," concluded Kelly, "they will be unstoppable." 

North Shore advances to state semifinals with 56-14 win over Ridge Point

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 1, 2021) With five different offensive players scoring touchdowns, the No. 1 North Shore Mustangs galloped to a 56-14 victory over the Ridge Point Panthers to take the UIL 6A Division 1 title. The win inched them closer to their third state championship appearance and a semi-final matchup against the Austin Westlake vs. Cibolo Steele game, scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 2.

Quarterback Dematrius Davis rushed for three TDs and passed for two more; running for 92 yards on 13 carries and completing six passes, on nine attempts, for 156 yards. His passings scores were a 91-yard completion to Shadrach Banks and a seven-yarder to Charles King. Sophomore Rashaad Johnson scored on a 35-yard run. with junior Xavier Owens added a 54-yard rushing TD to close out the offense's scoring. Junior linebacker Josh Garrett picked off a Devin McComas' pass; returning it 40 yards for the score. Freshman kicker Stephen Guzman split the uprights seven times for the extra points with Carlos Dominguez kicking one. The Panthers touchdowns came on runs of 45 yards by Bert Emanuel and 70 yards by Keith Jackson, with Davis Mohn adding two kicking conversions. 

The Mustangs piled up 545 yards of total offense; with 382 of them on the ground. On the other side of the ball, the Panthers posted 259 yards, with 176 yards rushing. Ridge Point completes their season with a 8-3 record. while North Shore 14-0