Season-opening high school football showdown canceled between No. 17 De La Salle at No. 5 North Shore

Travel restrictions, 'abundance of caution' cited as reasons national powers won't meet in late August.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Mitch Stephens
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Jun 15, 2020, 7:30pm
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North Shore aims for three-peat in Texas.

As expected, the much-anticipated high school football game pitting national juggernauts De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) at North Shore (Houston) has been called off, according to North Shore officials. 

A Monday evening tweet sent out by North Shore read: "Due to unforeseen circumstances and ‘out of an abundance of caution,' we will not be hosting De La Salle from Concord (Calif.) to open the 2020 season. We would like to wish coach (Justin) Alumbaugh and everyone at @dlsfootball17 good luck this coming season! More info to come!"

The season-opening matchup between California and Texas powers was scheduled for Aug. 29 at Galena Park ISD Stadium, near Houston, and was to be televised on ESPN. A second game on the slate that night between No. 7 St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia) and No. 24 Shadow Creek (Pearland, Texas) also was canceled.

De La Salle coach Justin Alumbaugh confirmed the report and told his team earlier in the day.

"Sure they were disappointed, but we had warned them earlier this was a strong possibility," Alumbaugh said. "There's just too many other things going on in the world. Based on all the unknowns in California and in Texas, ultimately ESPN and Paragon saw the writing on the wall. Both schools were in agreement. Maybe we can meet up another day."

Citing concerns over COVID-19 and possible travel restrictions, the tweet also attached a letter from the game's marketing group, Paragon Marketing Group. "This decision was reached after much consideration and consultation with all parties involved," part of the release read. "Paragon would like to thank the coaches and administrators from all four schools for their patience and willingness to cooperate. We look forward to working with these schools in the near future."

Preliminary plans Monday called for North Shore and Shadow Creek to meet in place of the Spartans-Mustangs contest, but no date or time was fixed. Media reports said athletic directors of the two schools were to meet and finalize the matchup in a day or so. The Sharks, entering their third year of varsity football, have been to the 5A D1 title game in each of the past two seasons, quickly establishing themselves as a Lone Star State power.
The season-opener between No. 17 De La Salle at No. 5 North Shore was canceled Monday amid travel concerns due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The season-opener between No. 17 De La Salle at No. 5 North Shore was canceled Monday amid travel concerns due to the coronavirus pandemic.
File photo by Dennis Lee
North Shore, 15-1 a year ago, is the two-time defending Texas 6A-1 champion. The Mustangs feature three-year starting quarterback Dematrius Davis Jr., the 2018 MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year and first-team All-American in 2019. His team finished No. 4 in last year's final MaxPreps national rankings and opened 2020 as No. 5.
 
The MaxPreps preseason rankings were released Monday and De La Salle opened at No. 17 after finishing 12-2 last season and No. 13 in the final 2019 rankings.

The Spartans lost their top player, all-around, two-way back Shamar Garrett, but return most of their skill players, including two-year starting quarterback Dorian Hale.

De La Salle opened its 2015 season with a 26-21 loss to Trinity (Euless) in Texas, its only meeting with a team from the Lone Star State. The Spartans opened last season with a 24-14 loss to the No. 1 team in Florida and No. 3 in the nation, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale).

A list of guidelines released Friday by the California Interscholastic Federation, the state's governing body, recommended all teams from the fall season avoid traveling out of the area.




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