One year ago in the 5A D1 state championship game, it was 15-0 Shadow Creek going up against 15-0 Highland Park. Highland Park was going for its third consecutive state championship. Shadow Creek was going for its first and a chance to show the state that they’re the next dynasty.
Shadow Creek was first opened in 2016. Just two years later, in its first year as a football program, they found themselves in the state championship game against one of the most dominant powerhouses Texas has ever seen.
Seniors Jamarian George, Marquez Huland and Kealon Jackson gave the Scots a run for their money but alas, turned the ball over four times and fell short 27-17 and finished 15-1. One loss is a great season for any school in its first year as a program. But, the Sharks smelled blood in the water. They were so close yet fell just short.
Now, in 2019, the Sharks are 13-0 and in the regional finals looking to make another run. The Scots? Eliminated by Frisco Lone Star in the regional semifinals.
Shadow Creek is now determined more than ever to take its first state championship.
Shadow Creek is 13-0 this season and now 28-1 as a program.
“Playing together and for the guys next to you, we go out every game and play like it’s our last,” senior Terreance Ellis said. “Honestly it’s our chemistry, the team gets along so well we are able to get through anything together.”
Ellis is a linebacker on a Sharks’ defensive unit that has allowed offenses to score less than 10 points a game. They’ve held opponents to single digits eight times this year and have only allowed more than 17 points in a game just once.
Ellis on the season is among the team leaders in tackles for a loss as well as sacks. “Doing the best I can to contribute to the team any way possible knowing the plays I make will help in the long run,” Ellis sais on his success.
Shadow Creeks’ latest victim was the now 8-5 Foster Falcons, a team that has given them trouble each year. Foster is 0-4 against Shadow Creek in two seasons but each game has been lost by a single possession. Foster has actually led in all four games as well but, no matter what the situation the Sharks always find a way to put the Falcons away.
On Friday however, it looked like it could’ve finally been Fosters’ time. They went into the half with a 24-7 lead and all the momentum in the world. So, what did the Sharks do? Score three touchdowns and a field goal in less than five minutes to take back the lead.
“In halftime, we just needed a regroup and we knew if we went out there and did our 1/11 then they wouldn’t stand a chance,” Ellis said.
“It felt good, we were still asleep in the 1st half but it was time to wake up and we came out hard in the 2nd half,” running back Kelvon Brown added.
Quarterback Kyron Drones ran for one touchdown and threw two more to give the Sharks the lead by six. Foster though scored again to give the Falcons a one-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Foster then recovered a Sharks fumble at the Sharks four-yard line and it looked like it could’ve been all she wrote for the Sharks. That’s when Ellis and the defense held their ground just like they have all season and stopped the Falcons offense four times inside the four to give Shadow Creek a chance.
Shadow Creek’s offense marched down the field 99 yards capping it off with another Drone touchdown which would ultimately give the Sharks the victory.
Shadow Creek in undoubtedly led by quarterback Kyron Drones who has over 50 touchdowns to his name on the season. The Sharks will be in good hands though for many years to come as they have a plethora of sophomore talent such as running back, Kelvon Brown. Brown is averaging over seven yards a carry for nine touchdowns this season.
“Keep running hard and using my vision and speed as an advantage,” Brown said. “I wouldn’t be able to do it without my offensive line shout out to them.”
Shadow Creek will play its state quarterfinal Saturday, December 7th at noon inside the Alamodome against the 8-5 Manor Mustangs.
“We’re gonna keep playing smart and make our way to state,” Brown said.
Ellis added that fans are going to see “A dominate team every week that’s going to continue to prove why we are the best in Texas.”
Shadow Creek was on the cusp of something extraordinary one year ago but fell 10 points short. One year later and they are on the brink of doing it again. Just three wins separate them from immortality, and this time no Highland Park in their way to play spoiler.
In the words of Kelvon Brown – “Keep playing physical and doing what we do best.”
The thing that the Sharks do best? Win.
