North Shore Mustangs
Head Coach: Willie Gaston (4th season; 43-4 record)
Last Season: 14-2; 6-1 in district (Defeated Duncanville in 6A Division I State Title Game)
Returning Lettermen: 30 (5 returning starters on offense; 5 on defense)
North Shore Key Players and Storylines
Shocker. It was North Shore against Duncanville again in the 6A Division I State Title Game a year ago. And for the fourth time in their six title games against Duncanville, it was North Shore that came out victorious in a 10-7 defensive slugfest. North Shore has now won five state titles since 2015.
The Mustangs have made at least the regional final every year since 2015, so even with 12 new starters, the bar is staying sky high.
Offensively, North Shore has to trot out a new quarterback this fall, but he will be well protected. 6’5″, 315-pound Maryland commit Abdus Kone leads a line that features 6’6″, 282-pound tackle Brandon Hebert and 6’4″, 295-pound tackle Chase Brown.
Expect Kaden Brandley (580 rushing yards and seven touchdowns) to step up as an all-purpose running back, while Memphis commit receiver Aubrey Johnson (720 receiving yards and six touchdowns) is a livewire in the receiving corps. Johnson’s 6-foot-2 frame, combined with 6-foot-1 senior La’Damian Defreeze (444 receiving yards and six touchdowns), gives the Mustangs plenty of size on the outside.
Defensively, expect linebacker Da’Sean Royal (113 tackles, 11 TFLs) to be flying around and making plays. He’ll be helped out by “long, athletic” defensive end Ezarian Fields. Versatile defensive back Tony Guillory (61 tackles and three INTs) will lead the secondary, while safety Rashaad Williams will be a blanket over the top with his ability to cover sideline to sideline.
JUNIOR SEASON FILM‼️
North Shore Highschool
6A D1 State Defensive MVP 🏆
C/O 27’
CB/S/Nickel
Stats✅
61 Total Tackles
12 PBU’s
3 INT’s (2 Pick6ix)@RecruitEastside @coachzwill @CoachFlo5 @coachgcross @CoachRich_04 @CKennedy247 @Mark_Orphey @CoachPowledge @Coach_Fella23… pic.twitter.com/5jjdyUryFs— Tony Guillory ✞ (@TGuillory2027) December 24, 2025
Despite the turnover, there’s still a strong core of seniors leading the way. The Mustangs will expect to play their same brand of physical football this fall as they chase another trip to AT&T Stadium again this fall.
North Shore Mustangs 2026 Football Schedule
*- Denotes District 17-6A Contest
8/28 vs. Lancaster 7:00 p.m.
9/4 @ John Curtis (LA) 7:00 p.m.
9/12 vs. South Oak Cliff at Cotton Bowl 3:00 p.m.
*9/18 @ Crosby 7:00 p.m.
*9/25 vs. Atascocita 7:00 p.m.
*10/1 vs. Humble 7:00 p.m.
*10/9 @ Summer Creek 7:00 p.m.
*10/23 vs. C.E. King 7:00 p.m.
*10/30 @ Channelview 7:00 p.m.
*11/5 vs. Kingwood 7:00 p.m.
