2026 Public Schools Top 100 Preview: No. 7 North Shore

North Shore opens the 2026 season at No. 7 in the T25PS Public Schools Preseason Top 100 after winning the Texas 6A Division I state championship and entering another season with state-title expectations.

The Mustangs went 14-2 last season and beat Duncanville 10-7 in the 6A Division I state championship game. It was North Shore’s sixth state title and eighth state championship appearance. North Shore has also reached at least the state semifinals every year since 2018.

The 2026 team has important production to replace. Quarterback Kaleb Maryland graduated after throwing for 3,266 yards and 34 touchdowns. Jaylen Bocard also graduated after finishing with 52 catches for 1,160 yards and 12 touchdowns. Defensively, the Mustangs have to replace Zaqwaun Nunn, the TSWA Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

Even with those losses, North Shore still has enough back to start inside the national top 10.

Aubrey Johnson returns as the top target in the passing game after finishing second on the team with 42 catches, 720 receiving yards and six touchdowns last season. The 2027 Memphis commit is expected to become the main receiver in the offense. Defensively, Tony Guillory returns after being named Defensive MVP of the 2025 state championship game.

North Shore has questions to answer, especially at quarterback, but the returning talent and program standard are strong enough to keep the Mustangs near the top of the national public-school picture.

Team Snapshot

School: Galena Park North Shore
City: Harris County, Texas
Classification: UIL 6A
2025 Record: 14-2
2025 Finish: Texas 6A Division I State Champion
Head Coach: Willie Gaston
State Championships: 6
State Championship Appearances: 8
T25PS Rank: No. 7

Why They’re Ranked Here
Championship standard, returning receiver production and defensive talent.

North Shore starts at No. 7 because the Mustangs are the defending Texas 6A Division I state champions and remain one of the strongest public-school programs in the country.

This is not a ranking based only on last year’s championship. North Shore has a long track record of reloading, developing and staying in the Texas 6A Division I title race. The Mustangs have reached at least the state semifinals every season since 2018, and that consistency matters in a preseason ranking.

The 2026 team has to replace major production, but it also has clear pieces to build around. Aubrey Johnson gives the offense a proven receiver. Tony Guillory gives the defense a proven playmaker. The offensive line has names to watch, including Chase Brown, Abdus Kone and Brandon Hebert. The defense has additional names to track with Ezarian Fields, Juan Hernandez and Brendan Neal.

The biggest question is quarterback. If North Shore gets steady play at that position, the roster is good enough to make another deep playoff run.

Players to Know

Aubrey Johnson — WR, 2027
Johnson is the most important returning offensive player for North Shore. He finished second on the team last season with 42 catches, 720 receiving yards and six touchdowns. With Jaylen Bocard gone, Johnson becomes the main go-to receiver in the offense. The 2027 Memphis commit has a chance to push for 50-plus catches and more than 1,000 yards this season.

Tony Guillory — S
Guillory was named Defensive MVP of the 2025 Texas 6A Division I state championship game. He is one of the most important returning defensive players on the roster and gives North Shore a proven playmaker on the back end.

Chase Brown — OT
Brown is one of the offensive linemen to watch for North Shore in 2026. With the Mustangs replacing their starting quarterback, offensive line play will be one of the biggest factors in how quickly the offense settles.

Abdus Kone — IOL
Kone is another important offensive line name for North Shore. The Mustangs need the line to be a strength while the quarterback position resets, and Kone is one of the key players to track in that group.

Brandon Hebert — OT
Hebert gives North Shore another offensive tackle to watch entering 2026. The offensive line will be one of the most important position groups on the roster because of the production North Shore has to replace at quarterback and receiver.

Ezarian Fields — EDGE
Fields is one of the defensive front names to watch for North Shore. The Mustangs have to replace Zaqwaun Nunn, so the next group of edge and defensive line players will be important to the 2026 defense.

Juan Hernandez — CB
Hernandez is one of the cornerbacks to watch in the North Shore secondary. The Mustangs will face several strong offenses, and cornerback play will be important throughout the season.

Jaden Kendrick — WR
Kendrick is another receiver to watch as North Shore rebuilds the passing game around Aubrey Johnson. With Bocard gone, the Mustangs need additional receivers to step into larger roles.

Brendan Neal — CB
Neal is another defensive back to watch for North Shore. The secondary has to remain a strength if the Mustangs are going to defend their state title and make another deep run.

Key Games

John Curtis Christian
North Shore faces a major out-of-state test against John Curtis Christian in Louisiana. This game will give the Mustangs an early measuring stick outside Texas.

South Oak Cliff
South Oak Cliff enters the season ranked No. 30 in the T25PS Preseason Top 100. This is one of the biggest public-school games in Texas and one of the most important early games on North Shore’s schedule.

Atascocita
Atascocita enters the season ranked No. 100 in the T25PS Preseason Top 100. This remains one of the key Houston-area games on North Shore’s schedule.

Summer Creek
Summer Creek beat North Shore 27-0 last season, making this one of the most important regular-season games for the Mustangs. North Shore went on to win the state title, but this matchup will still be a major test.

C.E. King
C.E. King enters the season ranked No. 68 in the T25PS Preseason Top 100. This is another major Houston-area matchup and another game that will test North Shore before the playoffs.

Biggest Question

The biggest question is quarterback.

North Shore has to replace Kaleb Maryland, who threw for 3,266 yards and 34 touchdowns last season. The Mustangs also lose Jaylen Bocard, who was the team’s leading receiver.

Aubrey Johnson gives the next quarterback a proven target, and the offensive line has enough names to watch for North Shore to remain physical up front. The defense also has a major returning piece in Tony Guillory.

If the quarterback position settles, North Shore has enough to compete for another Texas 6A Division I title.

T25PS Prediction

Regular Season Prediction: 10-0
Projected Losses:
Postseason Prediction: Loss in 6A D1 Semi-finals

Bottom Line

North Shore is ranked No. 7 because the Mustangs are the defending Texas 6A Division I state champions and one of the most consistent public-school programs in the country.

The 2026 team has real offensive questions, but the returning pieces are strong enough to justify a national top-10 ranking. Aubrey Johnson gives North Shore a proven receiver, Tony Guillory gives the defense a championship-tested playmaker, and the offensive line has several names to watch.

The season comes down to quarterback play and how quickly the new offensive pieces settle in.

Thanks for reading,

Alex | T25PS

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