Tigers Start Slow, Finish Strong in Season Opener

August 30th, 2010

Katy stunned North Shore 44-6 at Galena Park ISD Stadium in the first regular season game of 2010. The Tigers stretched a 16-6 halftime lead with 28 unanswered points in the second half.

Remarkably, given the final score, Katy started the night in about the worst manner possible by fumbling the opening kickoff and setting up North Shore 10 yards away from the end zone. However, the Tiger defense rose to the challenge and denied North Shore points in a dramatic opening exchange of momentum reminiscent of the previous two meetings between these powerhouse programs.

North Shore drew first blood late in the first quarter after both teams exchanged mistakes and fruitless possessions for most of the opening stanza. The Mustangs took a 6-0 lead after a touchdown run from senior RB Reggie Bryant. The Tigers responded to North Shore's opening score with an early second quarter touchdown drive ending in an 18-yard scamper from senior RB Donovonn Young five minutes into the second quarter. Katy added a safety off of a botched punt snap by North Shore and another Young touchdown before half.

Katy quickly seized the initiative in the second half with 14 points in less than a minute to essentially put the contest on ice. Junior Tiger QB Brooks Haack found senior RB Vernon Jeffries on a 38-yard TD pass. On North Shore's ensuing possession, Katy senior OLB Tyler Droog forced a fumble from North Shore senior QB Keenon Gibson which was scooped by sophomore DE Matt Dimon for the Tigers and returned for a touchdown.

The Tigers added to North Shore's misery with two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Haack connected with junior receiver Jordan Thompson on a five yard touchdown strike, and senior FB Adam Rivas added the final points with a five yard TD run.

The 44-6 margin was the worst defeat suffered by a North Shore team since a 56-14 second round playoff loss to Spring Westfield in 2004.

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