The Game:
No. 5 North Shore vs. No. 1 Katy
When/Where:
Saturday, 7 p.m. in Katy, Rhodes Stadium
Highlight Players:
These perennial powers feature the city’s top talent at four positions, based on the All-Greater Houston top two list released by Ahmard Vital this week. RBs Will Jeffrey of Katy, the MVP of the Tigers’ state championship game in December, and Mustang standout Tracy Woods will need ground support to dominate, but both are explosive speedsters.
North Shore – RB Woods, OT Trey Hopkins, WR DeAndrew White, CB Larry Stephens, DB Alton Demby
Katy – RB Jeffrey, QB Michael Stojkovic, WR Greg Morris, TE Zach Swanson, FS Sam Holl
North Shore Wins If:
• Superior size and speed allow the Mustangs control the line of scrimmage, giving junior QB Kennon Gibson time to throw or RB Woods a crease to burst through.
• The score gets out of hand. Neither defense will be flawless in game one. But if North Shore scores more than 30 points due to speed and skill, the Mustangs may simply outdistance Katy in an upset.
• If the Mustang secondary intercepts a couple of Katy passes, that will help North Shore control both the tempo and scoring as the Mustangs did in 2008 when they defeated Katy. If Stephens returns one for a late touchdown, that could be the final over the 2-time defending state champion Tigers. Consecutive wins over Katy? Now that would be rare this decade.
Katy Wins If:
• QB Michael Stojkovic plays well, executing Katy’s play-action pass offense efficiently. He will need to complete short passes and not challenge North Shore’s college-bound CBs too often.
• The Tiger offensive line finds a consistent way to open holes for RBs Jeffrey, Donovonn Young behind the blocking of FB Cory Matney, OT Shep Klinke and TE Swanson.
• FS Holl goes berserk, making game-saving tackles across the field. When Holl, who made 178 tackles in 2008, makes 15 or more tackles in a game, Katy’s defensive unit may be stretched – but it may also play at its very best.