The first round is just a formality at North Shore.
The Mustangs, who haven’t missed the playoffs in 28 years, haven’t lost in the Bi district since Clear Lake cut them off in 1999.
Dobie did nothing to delay the inevitable Thursday.
Running back Xavier Owens exploded for 131 yards and three touchdowns, all in the first half, and North Shore went into the second round with a 62-14 win over the overwhelmed Longhorns at Galena Park ISD Stadium.
“It’s their understanding of how to prepare, it’s the community’s understanding of how to prepare, and I think a lot of us agree,” said North Shore coach Jon Kay. “I am proud of the history of this program. I inherited it from coach (David) Aymond and he started this from scratch so it’s important for all of us to carry on his legacy. “
North Shore (10-1) will face the Pearland-Clear Springs winner in the 6A Division I playoffs next week.
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Dobie finished his season 8-3.
The Longhorns haven’t survived the first round since 2004, mostly because of the North Shore.
They have played 10 times in the postseason since then – and have now lost to the Mustangs in eight of those appearances.
The other losses were in Beaumont West Brook (2010) and Atascocita (2020).
North Shore scored one goal on its first five ball possession times on Thursday. The only thing that stopped it on the sixth was halftime.
Owens made the touchdown in the Mustangs’ first games in the first and second quarters.
Dobie lost a fumble in the second game of the game, and Owens scored a 43-yard run in North Shore’s first game. He then reached the end zone on a 17 yard run to start the second quarter and gave North Shore a 21-0 lead.
“Our offensive team has done a good job – and has done so in the past – to make sure that we turn a lot of our backs as the season progresses and then when we get to the playoffs, make sure that we have the ones that need to be featured”, said Kay. “I really like the depth in our running back position.
“(Thursday) was Xavier’s night. He had a great week of training, that was shown in the game and hopefully it will continue as we move forward. “
Owens’ third score came when his freshman quarterback needed him the most.
Kaleb Bailey was sacked twice in the fifth series from North Shore in his first playoff start. The drive’s other two games were a 21-yard run by Owens and his 27-yard touchdown run for a 35-0 lead at halftime.
Bailey finished with 126 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries and completed six of nine passes for 108 yards.
“He’s going there,” Kay said. “He’s a really good athlete and is still learning the game. And so, right now, there are some things that we hope he understands that he needs to make progress. We’re always preaching improvement, and that’s what we want to see, whether it’s the first round of the playoffs or the first game of the year.
“We just want to see improvements from week to week. As long as he understands that, we’re going in the right direction. “
Dobie made three ball losses and two resulted in goals in the first half.
Linebacker PJ Douglas and defensive lineman Kris Ross bounced back from fumbles, and defensive back Caleb Flagg intercepted quarterback Cameron Gray in the end zone to end Dobie’s best drive of the first half after hitting the red zone.
Douglas also delivered two bags for the first half of the year.
North Shore scored twice in the third quarter and went 48-0 into the fourth quarter.
Bailey scored on a six-yard touchdown run, and senior quarterback Aubry Broussard found Paydirt on a 15-yard run.
Dobie’s first score came on the running back of Trajan Davis’ 15-yard touchdown run with 10:15 remaining in the game.
The Mustangs responded with a 63-yard touchdown run from Trayvion Hilliard and a 75-yard scoring run from quarterback Darrell Jean.
They finished with 567 yards and 24 first downs.
“It’s been a week of farewell, so you always worry about your condition and can you maintain that intensity and focus?” Said Kay. “Sometimes you start looking at the scoreboard while playing, and our kids did a good job not getting caught up in it. And we saw a lot of young children well late in this game, and we’ll never be able to repeat the experience they just had in this field.
“So we gave up a few meters and some points (in the fourth), but in the long run the experience we have gained will be invaluable.”
Jason McDaniel is a freelance writer.
