Lamar HS Football Advances to Class 5A Semifinal

Lamar High School cruised to a 28-7 victory over North Shore on Saturday, marking the first time an HISD    team has advanced to the 5A semifinals since Madison — led by Vince Young at quarterback — did so in 2001.

The Redskins advance to play San Antonio O’Connor in the 5A Division I state semifinal on Saturday, Dec. 15, in Austin. If Lamar wins that game, they will become the first HISD team to reach a state championship game since Yates in 1992.

Lamar’s dominant defense held North Shore scoreless until late in the fourth quarter.

“The defense has carried us all year. We’re very good on defense and it keeps us in all the games, so that’s our real strength,” Coach Tom Nolen said.

Lamar quarterback Darrell Colbert passed for two touchdowns and ran for another. Also standing out for Lamar was running back Ronnie Wesley, who rushed for 67 yards on 16 carries. Cory Mitchell scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, and Daijon Druhet caught an 81-yard touchdown that gave Lamar a 21-0 lead in the final minute of the third quarter.

Nolen said he was pleased with his team and how the game played out at Pasadena’s Veterans Memorial Stadium, extending a spectacular season with the Class 5A Division I Region III title.

“The team played really well together,” Nolen said. “Whatever we need to get done, somebody just finds a way to do it. A different guy steps up each week and makes the play.”