District play started this week for some areas around the state, as was the case at Alvin Memorial Stadium on Friday night, when the Shadow Creek Sharks (1-1) took on the Alvin Yellowjackets (1-1).
Shadow Creek has been a power in all six of its varsity seasons, but a change in leadership happened this offseason, as Tyrone Green took the reins of the program. After a subpar start in week one, the Sharks bounced back with a dominant 34-7 week two win against Clear Creek. Shadow Creek has never lost to Alvin, and they were looking to keep it that way to start district 1-0.
Alvin started off the 2024 season with a tough week one performance, but after a 21-0 win in week two against Fort Bend Dulles, the Yellowjackets entered district play with some momentum. Alvin brings back a wealth of experience from last season and was looking to shock the state to open district as they aim for their first winning season in over ten years.
Game Recap
It didn’t take long for Shadow Creek to get the scoring started. On the second play of the game, Tristan Willis busted through the middle of the line and took the ball 56 yards to the endzone. On the next Sharks drive, Alex Kirkland received the handoff and ran nine yards into the endzone. Less than four minutes into the game, Shadow Creek was up 14-0.
After another Alvin punt was returned for a touchdown but called back due to an unsportsmanlike call, it took just two plays for Shadow Creek to put another touchdown on the board. Joseph Stewart hit Baylor commit Ashton Jones on a wide receiver screen for a two-yard touchdown.
Alvin finally got the ball into Shadow Creek territory on the next drive, but the pass on an attempted fake punt fell incomplete, giving the ball back to the Sharks. On the second play of the Shadow Creek drive, Joseph Stewart found Texas commit Chris Stewart on a post route over the middle for a 73-yard touchdown. A 47-yard field goal at the end of the half by Alvin’s Enrique Garza made it 28-3 Sharks at the break.
Any idea of a second-half comeback was quickly put to bed, as Alvin went three-and-out and punted to open the half. On the second play of the ensuing Shadow Creek drive, Joseph Stewart found Inno Beauchamp, who broke multiple tackles for a 70-yard gain. That set up another touchdown run by Tristan Willis, running it in from four yards out, giving the Sharks a 35-3 lead.
On the first play of the next Shadow Creek drive, Alvin’s Will Mauerhan knocked the ball out, recovered by Jordan Lee, giving Alvin great field position. Five plays later, the Yellowjackets found the endzone as Drew Bingham plowed through the line for a four-yard touchdown run, making it 35-10 Shadow Creek.
The Sharks responded immediately. On the first play of the drive, Alex Kirkland took the handoff, spun out of a tackle, reversed field, and ran 66 yards for the touchdown. Drew Bingham got Alvin in the endzone one more time with a three-yard touchdown. Shadow Creek started district play with a 42-17 win over Alvin.
Shadow Creek Player Stats
QB Joseph Stewart (SR): 11/14, 211 yds, 2 TDs, 1 carry, 29 yds
RB Alex Kirkland (SR): 3 carries, 77 yds, 2 TDs
RB Tristan Willis (SO): 4 carries, 64 yds, 2 TDs, 1 rec, 14 yds
WR Chris Stewart (JR) (Texas Commit): 3 recs, 90 yds, TD
WR Inno Beauchamp (JR): 2 recs, 76 yds
WR Rahim Hutchins (SR) (Memphis Commit): 3 recs, 22 yds
WR Ashton Jones (SR) (Baylor Commit): 2 recs, 9 yds, TD
LB Tommy Baker (JR): Sack, TFL
DL Arin Warner (JR): Sack, TFL
Alvin Player Stats
QB Drew Bingham (SR): 2/6, 37 yds, 13 carries, 93 yds, 2 TDs
FB Samuel Fernandez (SR): 17 carries, 48 yds
RB Carlos Medina (SR): 5 carries, 34 yds
WR Aaron Gonzalez (SR): 1 rec, 40 yds
LB Will Mauerhan (SO): 2 FRs, FF
DB Jordan Lee (JR): FR
DL Colton Meier (JR): TFL
Next Week
Shadow Creek will face off with district newcomer Manvel (1-2), looking to take down the Mavericks for a third straight season. Alvin faces another stiff test next week as they look to bounce back against district favorite Pearland (2-1).
