North Shore surprises Katy Freshman upsetting all three teams

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North Shore surprises Tiger freshman upsetting all three teams in season opener

A students freshman year is one of the most exciting and scary times in their young life. The two powerful emotions are felt simultaneously especially for a Katy High School football player. For one you go from "big dog" on campus back to a status level that can be found underneath the belly of a snake according to most Seniors. At least thats how a freshman can feel when his new coach is politely chewing his head into little pieces for missing his assignment and leaving the locker room a mess all in the same breath. 

To puchase freshman "Grey" photos click above pic

If I am blowing things out of proportion thats exactly what is going on in freshmen's head the first week of high school. Now lets mix in the fact that two other schools have merged together and some new guy standing next to you has taken the position your son's best friend has played since 3rd grade. Next mix in the fact you're playing for the states most talked about powerhouse programs year in and year out. Then factor in the fact that one of the junior high feeder schools have not lost a game since they started school sponsored football in the 7th grade. Stir in all this and a dash of first game jitters and two fists full of North Shore "man-child" and you have brewed up a pot of gumbo that your dog wouldn't eat with your mouth it tastes so bad.

To see photos of the "grey" team click on above pic

That being said this is Katy football there is no excuse for a loss except that, "We weren't prepared" for what North Shore brought to the table.
The one game in the freshman season where the kids will be split into three teams to match the three teams North Shore brought to Tiger Stadium gave all of the boys another chance to audition in front of the coaches and actually gave all 112+ players more snaps in they're opening game than had they only had two teams. Event though the boys practiced in a three team set for a couple of weeks some of the last minute selections for the grey team were surprises as players from both red and white teams were picked off the "team tree" like apples. 

To puchase freshman "Grey" photos click above pic

The grey game was the first to play and was based on a six minute "rolling clock" which seems to go by faster than it should. Playing what was left over from North Shore's farm of over grown football "beast's" the smaller Katy boys held their own after an easy score by NS in the first half.  Knowing that this grey team was a "one time only event" didn't discourage the Tigers as they fought hard to come back in the second half falling short on a couple of big plays by NS eventually losing 16-6. The momentum changed briefly for the hometown boys when defensive back Trey Baskerville returned a kick-off or 88 yards and the only touchdown of the game for Katy. In the last quarter with time running out on the clock and back up quarter back Aaron Hamond in the game Katy when on an air attack completing three consecutive passes of 14 yards to Tight end Tony Reeder, 7 yards to Wide receiver Nicholas Garcia and 9 yards to Wide receiver Michael Ekop. The Tigers showed signs of life in the second half and proved that no matter what team your on Katy Tigers don't quit. That is one reason the Katy football program is good year after year after year.

To see photos for freshman "white" click on above pic

When the White team took the field at 4:30 PM on the dot it felt like it was still 108 degrees F in the stands and had to be even hotter on the turf field. From the initial kick-off of you could tell the White team was out to avenge the tough loss the make shift Grey team had just suffered. North shore received the opening kick-off only to be shut down by the white team defense turning the ball over on downs. Not to be outdone the North Shore defense picked off a pass from quarterback Corey Chavera intended for Wide receiver Alejandro Delhierro. Full back Issac Roby showed great speed by chasing down the North Shore linebacker and taking him down after a 50 yard return and not letting the opposition score. A penalty by NS moved the ball back to 40 yard line for their second drive of the game.

To see photos from freshman "white" click above pic

On the very first play of the second drive NS scored on a 40 yard run. They topped it off with a short pass for the two point conversion making the score 8-0 NS. On the ensuing kick-off Defensive back Nate Hebert had is first of multiple nice returns for 20 yards. Katy then went to the ground as expected and after an efficient eight play 79 yard drive by Running back Trey Johnson and Roby, Chavera took the ball in on a quarterback keeper for one yard making the score 8-6 after the two point conversion failed. NS then went three and out and Katy was forced to punt after a short four play 27 yard drive.  Herbert showed up again for Katy displaying his speed by stopping the 38 yard punt on NS's own one yard line. After two plays NS fumbled on the five giving Katy the ball back in scoring position. Johnson got the ball to the one yard line again setting up another "keeper" by Cavera. The Tigers made the two point conversion this time thanks to Johnson who punched it in for three yards making the score 14-8 Katy. 

To see photos from the "white" team click on above pic

The hometown boys continued to battle through the third quarter with highlights from Hebert again who had another good kick-off return for 34 yards and huge open field solo tackle that was total Brandon Ebrecht style against a much bigger player. Hunter Surey had an interception that was overturned by a penalty. After sacks, fumbles and multiple three and outs NS used up most of the 4th quarter with sick 13 play 41 yard drive scoring again with just :40 seconds left in the game making the score 14-14. As powerful as the White team defense had been all day they just couldn't hold of the last three yard push allowing NS to win 16-14.

Red team story will be posted soon in its own article.