The North Shore Mustangs secured their place in the Texas Class 6A Division 1 championship with a commanding 28-6 victory over the previously undefeated Lake Travis Cavaliers on Saturday. The game was defined by a stifling North Shore defense that prevented the Cavaliers from reaching the end zone all night, while quarterback Kaleb Maryland powered the offense with three rushing touchdowns.
Key Takeaways
- North Shore defeated Lake Travis 28-6 in the Class 6A D1 state semifinal.
- Senior quarterback Kaleb Maryland scored three touchdowns on the ground for North Shore.
- The Mustangs' defense held the high-powered Lake Travis offense to just two field goals.
- North Shore will advance to face Duncanville in the state championship game at AT&T Stadium.
A Defensive Wall
From the opening kickoff, the North Shore defense established its dominance. The unit consistently pressured Lake Travis quarterback Luke McBride, forcing errors and preventing any offensive rhythm. The Cavaliers' offensive drives frequently stalled, leading to a total of seven punts by the fourth quarter.
The defensive pressure translated directly into turnovers. A critical moment came in the second quarter when Omari Demerson hit McBride during a throw, causing a fumble. Dezmon Christian recovered the ball on the Lake Travis 1-yard line, setting up an immediate North Shore touchdown.
Later, in the third quarter, junior Jayden Curry delivered another forceful hit on McBride, causing a second fumble that North Shore recovered. This relentless pressure was the cornerstone of the Mustangs' victory, ensuring Lake Travis never found its footing.
By the Numbers
Lake Travis's only points came from two field goals by kicker Braydon Doane. The Cavaliers were kept out of the end zone for the entire game, a testament to the strength of the North Shore defensive line and secondary.
Maryland Takes Control
While the defense set the tone, the North Shore offense, led by senior quarterback Kaleb Maryland, provided the necessary firepower. After a scoreless first quarter for both teams, Maryland broke the game open in the second.
His first score was a 4-yard run that capped a long, sustained drive, giving the Mustangs a 7-3 lead. Moments later, following the pivotal fumble recovery by his defense, Maryland punched it in from 1-yard out to extend the lead.
The highlight of his performance came just before halftime. Unable to find an open receiver, Maryland scrambled up the middle, evaded defenders, and sprinted for a 44-yard touchdown run. This single play shifted the momentum decisively in North Shore's favor, giving them a 20-3 lead at the half.
Game Progression
The game began as a defensive stalemate, with both offenses struggling to move the ball in the first quarter. Lake Travis struck first with a 42-yard field goal early in the second quarter. However, North Shore responded with 28 unanswered points before the Cavaliers managed a final field goal late in the game.
Securing the Victory
North Shore continued to apply pressure in the second half. In the third quarter, junior running back Kaden Brandley added to the lead with a 3-yard touchdown run. A successful two-point conversion pass to Christopher Tolson pushed the score to 28-3, effectively putting the game out of reach.
Lake Travis showed flashes of life, including an interception by junior defensive back Luca Antoun, but the Cavaliers' offense could not capitalize against the relentless Mustang defense. Their final points came from a 35-yard field goal by Braydon Doane in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late.
The final minutes saw North Shore's defense once again force a turnover on downs, allowing the offense to run out the clock and seal the victory.
Path to the Championship
With this semifinal win, the North Shore Mustangs (13-2) have punched their ticket to the state's biggest stage. They are now set for a highly anticipated showdown with the Duncanville Panthers in the Class 6A Division 1 championship game.
The championship will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on December 20, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. It promises to be a clash of two of Texas's premier high school football programs as they compete for the state title.