In a victory that gave the crowd deja vu, North Shore topped Westlake in the Class 6A Division I semifinals for the second consecutive season. For the fifth time in six years, the Mustangs are headed to the state championship game. Similarly, for the fifth time in six years, North Shore will face Duncanville, holding a 3-1 overall advantage against the Panthers.
With the 23-14 loss, Chaps head coach Tony Salazar’s record is 28-2, with both defeats coming against the Mustangs in the state semifinals. In total, Westlake has only lost five times in the past five seasons—three of these losses were to North Shore. Overall, the Mustangs are 3-1 against their Region IV Chaps rivals.
The Chaps struggled offensively, totaling 119 yards to North Shore’s 296. In cold and windy weather, Westlake quarterback Rees Wise had a tough game, completing just three passes for 24 yards and throwing three interceptions. North Shore’s Jarvon Coles made two of these interceptions for North Shore, including a crucial one with 1:49 left in regulation.
The running game was decisive for North Shore, accumulating 203 rushing yards. D’Andre Hardeman led the team with 117 yards on 30 carries; quarterback Kaleb Bailey also contributed 70 yards on 21 carries.
Next, North Shore aims to avenge last season’s defeat to Duncanville in the 6A DI title. The Panthers are coming off their 52-10 victory over North Crowley on Saturday. The matchup is scheduled for 3 p.m., December 16 at AT&T Stadium.
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