Dematrius Davis and Kyron Drones sharing the same space is becoming more than just happenstance.
Both quarterbacks and their teams left AT&T Stadium as state champions last December. Both have commanded 16-0 campaigns — North Shore’s Davis in 2018 and Shadow Creek’s Drones in 2019.
They were two of 20 players, including St. Thomas’ Maddox Kopp, at last week’s Elite 11 quarterback competition in Nashville, signaling they’re among the best at their position in the country. The two were also named to MaxPreps’ Preseason Texas All-State team on Tuesday, both earning first team honors.
The respect is healthy between two players who have helped flip the balance of power in Texas high school football back to Houston.
“He’s not scared to take over,” Davis said of Drones. “Some quarterbacks that can’t really run the 4.4s, the 4.5s and 4.6s, they’re not going to take over with their legs if they have to. Kyron, he’s not scared to do that. He’s not the fastest guy but he’ll get down and get some yards for his team. I love that about him.”
Drones on Davis: “He’s real poised. He doesn’t get rattled. He knows when to throw and when to take off and run. He’s got a feel for the pocket. When he takes off to run, it’s really hard to stop him. Him just being able to win. You know he only lost one game. Other than that, he’s just a real good player overall.”
If the coronavirus pandemic allows it, they’ll share the same space at Galena Park ISD Stadium in August when North Shore hosts Shadow Creek to open 2020. Two state-championship teams now meet after a De La Salle (Calif.)-North Shore and St. Joseph’s Prep (Pa.)-Shadow Creek doubleheader fell through because of concerns over cross-country traveling during the pandemic.
North Shore and Shadow Creek’s meeting might be more anticipated.
North Shore is currently Houston’s flagship program with two consecutive Class 6A Division I state crowns and an eye on a third in 2020. Shadow Creek rewrote the blueprint on how to build a high school football program. The school opened in 2016 and has a 31-1 football team in varsity play with 2018’s state runner-up and 2019’s state championship trophy in Class 5A Division I. Shadow Creek begins play in Class 6A in 2020.
Drones and Davis have been the engines. The two worked in the same group in Nashville in one of the first chances for extended interaction between them. It allowed them to exchange trade secrets and respects while both reflect on their respective journeys to this point ahead of their senior seasons.
Both say the Elite 11 was an opportunity to learn and soak up information as much as it was a competitive environment. Davis, Drones and their respective families gathered for a photo at the end of the showcase, knowing it won’t be long before they see each other again.
Drones says he’s trying to reach Davis’ status as far as winning consecutive state championships is concerned.
The 2019 season was his first as a full-time starter at quarterback, taking over for Shadow Creek’s Jamarian George from the trailblazing 2018 campaign. Drones remembers reaching the state semifinal against San Antonio Wagner last year and wondering out loud with his father and Shadow Creek defensive line coach Kevin Drones why scholarship offers weren’t pouring in for an undefeated starting quarterback against respected competition, with the right measurables and productive numbers.
“I was confused on what I was doing wrong because I saw all these other people getting offers and he was like ‘Coaches just want to see winning,’” Kyron Drones said. “So, you keep winning and they’re going to come. We won the state championship and they just all fell in.’”
The University of Houston was Drones’ first Football Bowl Subdivision offer in January. He’s at 25 offers now. Drones committed to Baylor in April.
Drones isn’t resting on the success and Shadow Creek coach Brad Butler says the quarterback is working like it behind the scenes.
Davis’ first offer came from Baylor as an eighth grader, which makes sense considering he built a neighborhood legend at Cunningham Middle School. He committed to Auburn in May after decommitting from Virginia Tech.
Davis has exceeded every expectation and done so in an intense spotlight. The numbers are one thing, North Shore coach Jon Kay says. Davis’ 8,000 yards of total offense, 103 touchdowns and 31-1 record as a starter in the last two seasons commands attention.
But Kay said Davis’ best attribute is the intangibles when everyone is watching and when no one is watching. He’s raised the bar at a North Shore program already setting a standard many were trying to follow before he stepped on campus.
“After working out with my team a little bit the last few weeks, being at school, everybody there throwing routes, I just feel real comfortable about this next season,” said Davis on 2020’s outlook and the opener against Shadow Creek. “I haven’t seen the defense yet because we don’t work out with them, but I’m just knowing our D-Line is looking real nice. I’ve seen some videos of them.
“I just feel like it’s going to be a great game.”
adam.coleman@chron.com
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