North Shore's Playoff Road

[78 Spartan]

If you follow North Shore, you'll see that the next three weeks of district games are all no-contest games, so despite all the lectures about playing 'em one game at a time, it's gotta be hard for the kids to stay focused on the business at hand. But they will, and for that I think the Mustangs deserve great credit.

Just because Coach Aymond won't let his guys look ahead, doesn't mean that we can't. Here are some thoughts about how I see North Shore in the playoffs:

First off, with Westfield in Region II, that little bugaboo is out of the way (at least until the finals). The road to the final four looks like it will involve Kingwood, Dulles, Cinco Ranch and Cy Fair.

Kingwood is I'm sure a respectable team comprised of tough, hard-working kids, but they won't be able to survive 24 minutes with North Shore, let alone 48. I think that one will be over early. 44-0 Mustangs.

Dulles, if they beat Clear Creek, would be an interesting challenge for North Shore due to a pass-happy offense. However, I am betting their offensive line will be seriously outmanned by the Mustangs who will put ungodly amounts of pressure on Cotton Turner and will force all kinds of turnovers to win handily. 42-7 Mustangs.

Cinco Ranch, should they beat Cy Ridge, is a more balanced attack and will stand a chance of matching up better physically than Dulles. (We will know more after we see them play Katy on Saturday). They could conceivably score twice against North Shore, but can Cinco's defense slow down the Mustangs' ground game? I doubt it. 35-14 Mustangs.

That would lead North Shore to play Cy Fair in the Region III finals. Cy Fair has one of the finest running backs in the area in Sam McGuffie, but I believe North Shore's defense can load up on him, punish him if he carries the ball 30 times, hold him to under 150 yards (probably can't stop him from getting 100 though). Cy Fair would have to generate offense from their passing game, which I don't think they can do unless they are ahead and catch North Shore with 9 in the box to stop Sam. Cy Fair's defense can stay on the field with North Shore's offense and this would be a relatively low scoring game, something like 17-7 in favor of the Mustangs.

I don't know who among Seguin, Westlake, SA Madison and Judson would be the semifinal opponent. Statistically I see Seguin and Westlake having more balance offensively, Madison and Judson being primarily running teams that I would expect North Shore to be able to handle. Seguin appears to have the best defensive stats but you know about how figures lie and liars figure. The great strength that any of these teams would have, and particularly Madison or Judson is that they've played a far tougher regular season schedule than North Shore -- however, by week five in the playoffs this should be neutralized. Remember, North Shore's Region IV opponent will have been loading up on RGV teams until the regional final game.

So let's assume North Shore gets to the finals and plays the winner of the second round game between Euless Trinity and Southlake Carroll, either of which should beat Westfield in the semis. I think North Shore had better hope for Trinity. If they play Trinity it could be a real war between two physical beasts and based on styles of play I would give the Mustangs a real shot to win that game.

But if they play SLC, I am not sure they will be prepared for the kind of offensive firepower that the Dragons would throw at them. I'm not sure that playoff games against Dulles and Cinco Ranch will be nearly enough preparation, as SLC will combine offensive finesse on a plane above that of Cinco Ranch, with physical strength greater than that of Cy Fair. That might be more than they can overcome. Not to mention the playoff experience. The Mustangs would inflict a lot of pain on SLC physically, but so does Lufkin every time they play SLC and that has yet to result in a win for the Panthers.

Either way, it should be a fun ride and I don't think it will end until Dec 23rd.

Thanks for indulging me in this bit of fantasy. Best of luck to all.

[NSStangs#1fan]

Haha those boys are ready 4 a run @ state and they're not x-cepting anything less than the game in San Anton on Dec. 23! I go to their myspace pages and it's covered w/ stuff about state and how we will win! I like to c that determination in them!

[panamamyers]

I put the chances of Humble finishing ahead of Kingwood at about 10% right now. Kingwood has an EASY road these last 3 games. Humble only has to lose one game between PAM, Lee and WB. I see NO WAY tthat Humble can beat West Brook.

[lonny23]

If you follow North Shore, you'll see that the next three weeks of district games are all no-contest games, so despite all the lectures about playing 'em one game at a time, it's gotta be hard for the kids to stay focused on the business at hand. But they will, and for that I think the Mustangs deserve great credit.

Just because Coach Aymond won't let his guys look ahead, doesn't mean that we can't. Here are some thoughts about how I see North Shore in the playoffs:

First off, with Westfield in Region II, that little bugaboo is out of the way (at least until the finals). The road to the final four looks like it will involve Kingwood, Dulles, Cinco Ranch and Cy Fair.

Kingwood is I'm sure a respectable team comprised of tough, hard-working kids, but they won't be able to survive 24 minutes with North Shore, let alone 48. I think that one will be over early. 44-0 Mustangs.

Dulles, if they beat Clear Creek, would be an interesting challenge for North Shore due to a pass-happy offense. However, I am betting their offensive line will be seriously outmanned by the Mustangs who will put ungodly amounts of pressure on Cotton Turner and will force all kinds of turnovers to win handily. 42-7 Mustangs.

Cinco Ranch, should they beat Cy Ridge, is a more balanced attack and will stand a chance of matching up better physically than Dulles. (We will know more after we see them play Katy on Saturday). They could conceivably score twice against North Shore, but can Cinco's defense slow down the Mustangs' ground game? I doubt it. 35-14 Mustangs.

That would lead North Shore to play Cy Fair in the Region III finals. Cy Fair has one of the finest running backs in the area in Sam McGuffie, but I believe North Shore's defense can load up on him, punish him if he carries the ball 30 times, hold him to under 150 yards (probably can't stop him from getting 100 though). Cy Fair would have to generate offense from their passing game, which I don't think they can do unless they are ahead and catch North Shore with 9 in the box to stop Sam. Cy Fair's defense can stay on the field with North Shore's offense and this would be a relatively low scoring game, something like 17-7 in favor of the Mustangs.

I don't know who among Seguin, Westlake, SA Madison and Judson would be the semifinal opponent. Statistically I see Seguin and Westlake having more balance offensively, Madison and Judson being primarily running teams that I would expect North Shore to be able to handle. Seguin appears to have the best defensive stats but you know about how figures lie and liars figure. The great strength that any of these teams would have, and particularly Madison or Judson is that they've played a far tougher regular season schedule than North Shore -- however, by week five in the playoffs this should be neutralized. Remember, North Shore's Region IV opponent will have been loading up on RGV teams until the regional final game.

So let's assume North Shore gets to the finals and plays the winner of the second round game between Euless Trinity and Southlake Carroll, either of which should beat Westfield in the semis. I think North Shore had better hope for Trinity. If they play Trinity it could be a real war between two physical beasts and based on styles of play I would give the Mustangs a real shot to win that game.

But if they play SLC, I am not sure they will be prepared for the kind of offensive firepower that the Dragons would throw at them. I'm not sure that playoff games against Dulles and Cinco Ranch will be nearly enough preparation, as SLC will combine offensive finesse on a plane above that of Cinco Ranch, with physical strength greater than that of Cy Fair. That might be more than they can overcome. Not to mention the playoff experience. The Mustangs would inflict a lot of pain on SLC physically, but so does Lufkin every time they play SLC and that has yet to result in a win for the Panthers.

Either way, it should be a fun ride and I don't think it will end until Dec 23rd.

Thanks for indulging me in this bit of fantasy. Best of luck to all.A game with Judson will be a 48-minute war. I always hear people say so and so won't score on North Shore, but let me tell you that Judson will put a major dent in the Mustangs scoring, too.

[NSmustang98]

If you follow North Shore, you'll see that the next three weeks of district games are all no-contest games, so despite all the lectures about playing 'em one game at a time, it's gotta be hard for the kids to stay focused on the business at hand. But they will, and for that I think the Mustangs deserve great credit.

Just because Coach Aymond won't let his guys look ahead, doesn't mean that we can't. Here are some thoughts about how I see North Shore in the playoffs:

First off, with Westfield in Region II, that little bugaboo is out of the way (at least until the finals). The road to the final four looks like it will involve Kingwood, Dulles, Cinco Ranch and Cy Fair.

Kingwood is I'm sure a respectable team comprised of tough, hard-working kids, but they won't be able to survive 24 minutes with North Shore, let alone 48. I think that one will be over early. 44-0 Mustangs.

Dulles, if they beat Clear Creek, would be an interesting challenge for North Shore due to a pass-happy offense. However, I am betting their offensive line will be seriously outmanned by the Mustangs who will put ungodly amounts of pressure on Cotton Turner and will force all kinds of turnovers to win handily. 42-7 Mustangs.

Cinco Ranch, should they beat Cy Ridge, is a more balanced attack and will stand a chance of matching up better physically than Dulles. (We will know more after we see them play Katy on Saturday). They could conceivably score twice against North Shore, but can Cinco's defense slow down the Mustangs' ground game? I doubt it. 35-14 Mustangs.

That would lead North Shore to play Cy Fair in the Region III finals. Cy Fair has one of the finest running backs in the area in Sam McGuffie, but I believe North Shore's defense can load up on him, punish him if he carries the ball 30 times, hold him to under 150 yards (probably can't stop him from getting 100 though). Cy Fair would have to generate offense from their passing game, which I don't think they can do unless they are ahead and catch North Shore with 9 in the box to stop Sam. Cy Fair's defense can stay on the field with North Shore's offense and this would be a relatively low scoring game, something like 17-7 in favor of the Mustangs.

I don't know who among Seguin, Westlake, SA Madison and Judson would be the semifinal opponent. Statistically I see Seguin and Westlake having more balance offensively, Madison and Judson being primarily running teams that I would expect North Shore to be able to handle. Seguin appears to have the best defensive stats but you know about how figures lie and liars figure. The great strength that any of these teams would have, and particularly Madison or Judson is that they've played a far tougher regular season schedule than North Shore -- however, by week five in the playoffs this should be neutralized. Remember, North Shore's Region IV opponent will have been loading up on RGV teams until the regional final game.

So let's assume North Shore gets to the finals and plays the winner of the second round game between Euless Trinity and Southlake Carroll, either of which should beat Westfield in the semis. I think North Shore had better hope for Trinity. If they play Trinity it could be a real war between two physical beasts and based on styles of play I would give the Mustangs a real shot to win that game.

But if they play SLC, I am not sure they will be prepared for the kind of offensive firepower that the Dragons would throw at them. I'm not sure that playoff games against Dulles and Cinco Ranch will be nearly enough preparation, as SLC will combine offensive finesse on a plane above that of Cinco Ranch, with physical strength greater than that of Cy Fair. That might be more than they can overcome. Not to mention the playoff experience. The Mustangs would inflict a lot of pain on SLC physically, but so does Lufkin every time they play SLC and that has yet to result in a win for the Panthers.

Either way, it should be a fun ride and I don't think it will end until Dec 23rd.

Thanks for indulging me in this bit of fantasy. Best of luck to all.

Good stuff, nice to see the support!!!

[78 Spartan]

I put the chances of Humble finishing ahead of Kingwood at about 10% right now. Kingwood has an EASY road these last 3 games. Humble only has to lose one game between PAM, Lee and WB. I see NO WAY tthat Humble can beat West Brook.

Well, if you're right then I don't see Humble giving North Shore a materially better game than Kingwood. Do you, Panama?

[Oiler99]

i owuld like to see it stay that way but unfornuately the way 24-5a is goin i think the oilers mite slip back into north shores path if they make it past dulles, but either way isee north shore goin far, they got my respect now im jus hopin for that one upset myb a early christmas present

[NSStangs#1fan]

The bad thing about NS is that u can't really tell how good they are until they hit the PO's and there's some real competition. I mean I know we're good this yr. but how good is the question.

[78 Spartan]

Which is why you guys need to figure out how to convince Katy to schedule a home and home soon. Or Lufkin.

[NSStangs#1fan]

Which is why you guys need to figure out how to convince Katy to schedule a home and home soon. Or Lufkin.

Lufkin is too far, but I dunno what's up w/ the Katy situation. Some ppl will say they're afraind of us, others will say we're afraid of them but honestly I think is a scheduling conflict.

[panamamyers]

I haven't seen Humble play yet, but I doubt that they would have what it takes to give NS a game. No passing game, NS will eat that up.

[HUM398]

I haven't seen Humble play yet, but I doubt that they would have what it takes to give NS a game. No passing game, NS will eat that up.

They have the athletes to compete with NS, they always have. NS leads the series 6-4. They always give them a game. But im prob leaning more toward Panama's thinking until i see the result of Lee-Humble.

Humble has a QB issue, which is the reason why Humble is so inconsistant. I thought that they would be able to overcome the departure of Jerrod Johnson, But i may be very wrong. Though i know that panama disagrees with me, Johnson was a good QB who could hurt you with his legs and his arm. Without him the offense is struggling to find an identity..(most of the same guys on the Offensive side). Baker is the Future for the program right now, and i think they should start him and move the current QB to either RB or WR.. The only problem with that is that he is very young (Soph.)

But never underestimate a players heart. I really see it in this team. And you would have to be either ignorant or stupid to think that Humble will roll over and die against anyone. (Westbrook)... They will put up a hell of a fight.

Like i said before, They have alot to prove... Its a tough road.

[KatyTigerDad0407]

Dulles will not go to far. The o-line did not protect in the Hurricane game.

[nsmustang]

I like your thinking Spartan. It's what I have come to conclusion on. I'm not being dilusional but trying to be realistic. NS should not have too much of a time all the way to the semis. I saw no one on the list that really challenges them although Judson always plays tough and the teams get better the farther in you go. I don't know if McGuffie has run against 11 monsters yet but we'll see if and when they meet. We all thought 03 Westlake was going to be a stiff fight but history says different. Now, should they make it to the state championship, it will have been their defense that paved the road for it. The ET or SLC game matchup is scary. I, like you believe that ET matches up better. NS may have some advantage in that the two offenses are closely matched but again, it's NS's D that gives them a serious shot at a win. What a physical game ( Another NS / Westfield battle). SLC is another horse. I can't see anyone beating them this year. ET may have a shot but a slim one. They run the precision finesse pass offense and have the players that can execute flawlessly. They rank 1 and 2 in O and D. Their defense is akin to NS's and they don't give yards up. Period. Stranger things have happened and thats why you play the games but the real money is on SLC to win it all no matter which division they land in.

And, NSmustang#1 fan, Thanks for the insight into the players attitude.
There is nothing I like better than to know they believe thay can win it all. It takes confidence and it sounds like they have it.

[Phoenixrising05]

It's funny that you brought up this thread. I was making a list of all the potential matchups if SLC goes either D1 or D2, and noticed the complete and utter lack of competition NS would face on their way to state. I was thinking exactly what you mentioned, that it's amost unfair to you guys since your boys won't have any "conditioning" on the way up.

On the other hand, SLC always plays crappy teams in the regular season, and then does "fairly well" come playoffs. So maybe "conditioning" is overrated. Either way i'd love to see a matchup against NS as your fans on here seem really classy and knowledable.

[toddg]

NS has got to get that offense to another level, because they cant count on the defense to score points on SLC or EULESS TRINITY...turnovers are just not in their M/O in the playoffs.

[TrinityTrojan80]

So let's assume North Shore gets to the finals and plays the winner of the second round game between Euless Trinity and Southlake Carroll, either of which should beat Westfield in the semis. I think North Shore had better hope for Trinity. If they play Trinity it could be a real war between two physical beasts and based on styles of play I would give the Mustangs a real shot to win that game.

But if they play SLC, I am not sure they will be prepared for the kind of offensive firepower that the Dragons would throw at them. I'm not sure that playoff games against Dulles and Cinco Ranch will be nearly enough preparation, as SLC will combine offensive finesse on a plane above that of Cinco Ranch, with physical strength greater than that of Cy Fair. That might be more than they can overcome. Not to mention the playoff experience. The Mustangs would inflict a lot of pain on SLC physically, but so does Lufkin every time they play SLC and that has yet to result in a win for the Panthers.

Either way, it should be a fun ride and I don't think it will end until Dec 23rd.

Thanks for indulging me in this bit of fantasy. Best of luck to all.

I hope that NS gets what you say they should hope for.

From what you are saying, NS should match Trinity physically. What kind of size do they have up front offense and defense.
Trinity has on O-line averages 6'2" and 281 and on D-line 6'3" and 294. This year we are bigger on defense and have two really good LB with good size and speed.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/outtatowner/2006%20Waco%20vs%20Trinity/IMG_3239.jpg

[lonny23]

I hope that NS gets what you say they should hope for.

From what you are saying, NS should match Trinity physically. What kind of size do they have up front offense and defense.
Trinity has on O-line averages 6'2" and 281 and on D-line 6'3" and 294. This year we are bigger on defense and have two really good LB with good size and speed.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/outtatowner/2006%20Waco%20vs%20Trinity/IMG_3239.jpg
Trinity uses what Kevin Greene would call "Belly Power."

[TrinityTrojan80]

Yea Lonny, most of these guys have been large all of their lives and move it well. The biggest difference between the big guys on most of our opponents and ours is they are playing and starting because of their size (weight) and are big guys have to compete because we have a team full of guys 3 deep that are large. I would say most of the teams we play look like jv's and we look like a college team. Tongan's are large but I wouldn't call them fat, they are large.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/outtatowner/2006%20Nimitz/2006_Nimitz_094.jpg

[too playa]

I hope that NS gets what you say they should hope for.

From what you are saying, NS should match Trinity physically. What kind of size do they have up front offense and defense.
Trinity has on O-line averages 6'2" and 281 and on D-line 6'3" and 294. This year we are bigger on defense and have two really good LB with good size and speed.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/outtatowner/2006%20Waco%20vs%20Trinity/IMG_3239.jpg


NS offensive line averages at or close to 300lbs.. so probably in the area of 285-300....around 6'2... i dont know exact numbers because i dont have the program in front of me at this time.... defensively.. we are not too big on the Dline.. probably average about 255-265 .. somewhere around there.. linebackers avg around 6'1-6'2 185... secondary a about 10-15lbs less than the linebackers.... speed, and size have never been NS's problem.. execution and adjustments in the playoffs has been the problem.... :eek:

[TrinityTrojan80]

I think North Shore will be in the title game but there will be some good teams along the way that might have something to say about that.
Trinity will have some good competition getting there too.
I can't wait for week two of the playoffs this year!!!!! We might be done then, but then again we get to play the best.

Good luck to North Shore

Trojan4stangs.

[Big Daddy Cool]

execution and adjustments in the playoffs has been the problem.... :eek:

And most of the time it hasn't been defensive adjustments that haven't been made, but adjustments made on the offensive side of things. We've lost quite a few close ones due to poor play calling at the end of games. I really feel that could have three titles right now instead of one had it not been for a few poor decisions made on the offensive side of the ball.

[too playa]

And most of the time it hasn't been defensive adjustments that haven't been made, but adjustments made on the offensive side of things. We've lost quite a few close ones due to poor play calling at the end of games. I really feel that could have three titles right now instead of one had it not been for a few poor decisions made on the offensive side of the ball.

we should have a least 2 titles right now... cant argue with that... but.. maybe this year we can do well...:eek:

[NSStangs#1fan]

NS offensive line averages at or close to 300lbs.. so probably in the area of 285-300....around 6'2... i dont know exact numbers because i dont have the program in front of me at this time.... defensively.. we are not too big on the Dline.. probably average about 255-265 .. somewhere around there.. linebackers avg around 6'1-6'2 185... secondary a about 10-15lbs less than the linebackers.... speed, and size have never been NS's problem.. execution and adjustments in the playoffs has been the problem.... :eek:

As listed in the program

OL Players height,weight, & HS yr.

6'1, 350 (sr)
6'1, 360 (jr)
6' 0, 300 (so)
6'1, 280 (sr)
6'4, 280 (sr)
we've got about 3 @ 250
and 2 @ 270. I dunno maybe it's something they put in the food.:D

LBs

6'1, 210 (sr)
6'1,195 (sr)
6'0, 195 (sr)
5'10, 195 (sr)
1 @ 175 and another @ 160

DL is actually a little bit smaller than what u estimated but they get the job done that's 4 sure! Them smallest guy is 6'0, 200 and the biggest 6'0, 250

[purple pride]

Don't forget about Westfield, don't they usually seem to give NS problems in the playoffs?

[NSStangs#1fan]

Don't forget about Westfield, don't they usually seem to give NS problems in the playoffs?

We won't meet them unless both of us make it to state. Lucky 4 us they're in RII now.

[lonny23]

Yea Lonny, most of these guys have been large all of their lives and move it well. The biggest difference between the big guys on most of our opponents and ours is they are playing and starting because of their size (weight) and are big guys have to compete because we have a team full of guys 3 deep that are large. I would say most of the teams we play look like jv's and we look like a college team. Tongan's are large but I wouldn't call them fat, they are large.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/outtatowner/2006%20Nimitz/2006_Nimitz_094.jpg
It's not just Tongans. The non-Tongans are just as big. I saw plenty of fat last week, but fat sometimes comes in handy.