'We could not be more proud': North Shore, Paetow become state champs

Two Houston high school football teams participated and snatched victory at the University Interscholastic League.

The North Shore High School Mustangs defeated Duncanville High School Panthers, and the Patricia E. Paetow High School Panthers beat the College Station High School Cougars during their respective championship games.

“Congratulations to Paetow High School football on winning the 5A D1 State Championship,” Katy Independent School District wrote on Twitter. “Their drive, dedication and perseverance has paid off and we could not be more proud.”

Twitter account The Nation of NS posted a photo of the UIL award with its seatbelt on and with the caption: “Hey Eastside…..we are headed home!”

“Couldn’t focus on revenge or playing them for a third time. You start to think like that and you play scared and out of character,” North Shore coach Jon Kay said to Star-Telegram. “This was going to be the 2021 team vs. 2021 Duncanville and we said the same thing in 2019 and 2018, and if we’re lucky enough to play them again, we’ll say it again."

North Shore is a 5A school, and Paetow is a 6A school. Paetow recently joined Katy ISD’s 6A schools.

“To think back to that moment and think about where we are now, it’s just reassuring to see the plan that was instilled in me from the mentors that I was fortunate enough to work with,” Head Coach B.J. Gotte said to the Houston Chronicle. “Me being able to use that experience to create something cool for these kids and community feels good.”

For the third time in four years, North Shore won a state title at Duncanville’s expense. The Mustangs established themselves as a dynasty with a hard-fought 17-10 victory over the Panthers on Dec. 18.

Paetow captured its first state championship barely four years after it opened its doors with a 27-24 overtime victory over previously undefeated College Station on Dec. 17.

Paetow, whose football team was born out of discussions in an elementary school art classroom, will attempt to defend its crown albeit in a higher classification.