Week 7 of Texas High School football is here, and I’m started it off with Thursday Night Lights! On October 5th, 2023, I saw The North Shore Mustangs vs The Summer Creeks Bulldogs. These are two of the best teams in the state. North Shore is ranked #2, and Summer Creek is ranked #3 in Houston. Currently, both teams are undefeated. Therefore, one team will have to leave this game with their 1st loss.
At the start of the 1st quarter, Summer Creek kickoff to North Shore #2 Christopher Barnes ran the return for 40 yards. On the next play, quarterback #9 Kaleb Bailey completed a 60-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver #4 Terrence Guillory. Summer Creek received the ball, but North Shore’s defensive line stopped Summer Creek’s 1st couple of drives, forcing them to punt. After some back-and-forth stops, linebacker #6 Xavier Atkins had a great read to catch an interception and almost took to the house. Summer Creek has possession of the ball, and in a couple of plays running #25, Lloyd Avant rushed in for a touchdown.
In the 2nd quarter, North Shore wasted no time getting back in the lead with Kaleb rushing in for an 8-yard touchdown. Summer Creek’s Lloyd had a big run, and within a few plays, #32 Victor Loya rushed in for a 25-yard touchdown. Before the end of the 1st half, Kaleb connected a 28-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver #8 Cameron Smith. At the end of the 2nd quarter, the score was 21-14, with The Mustangs leading.
Halftime has concluded, and it is the start of the 3rd quarter. North Shore kickoff to Summer Creek. Within a couple of plays, their quarterback, #2 Blake Thomas, threw a 25-yard pass to #8 Kordell Rodgers. However, they could not move the ball further, forcing The Bulldogs to punt it back to The Mustangs. Summer Creek recovered a fumble near the end-zone. When Summer Creek got in the Redzone, Blake connected to Kordell again, but for a touchdown pass. The game was at a stalemate for the rest of the 3rd quarter, and going into the 4th quarter, the score was tied at 21-21.
Halfway into the 4th quarter, North Shore finally got to Summer Creek’s 14-yard line, and Kaleb found a hole to rush in for a 14-yard touchdown. After Summer Creek received the ball back, North Shore’s defense was overwhelming their offense with sacks and TFLs, resulting in The Bulldogs immediately punting the ball. North Shore patiently drove the ball down the field, and with a minute left in the game, they widened their lead with a field goal. This resulted in a final score of 31-21, with North Shore continuing their win streak.
This was a fantastic game. Summer Creek has always been a team to respect. They might not be as praised or recognized as Katy, Atascocita, or North Shore, but they have always gone to toe against the best teams in the city and state.
I’m looking forward to both teams’ progress throughout the season, especially when they play the #1 ranked team in Houston, The Atascocita Eagles, at the end of their respective seasons.
CLICK HERE to listen to the Texas HS Football Podcast, with Taylor Arenz
