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North Forest duo the talk of inner-city football

North Forest duo the talk of inner-city football
Demas, a sophomore, was the go-to guy for North Forest. Vype

When people think about high school recruiting hotbeds in Houston, the names Katy, Lamar, North Shore and Manvel come to mind.

But North Forest?

Two national recruits are emerging from the inner city school, bringing the likes of Alabama’s Nick Saban, Texas’ Tom Herman and TCU’s Gary Patterson through the school’s field house.

Junior offensive lineman Javonne Shepherd and sophomore receiver Demond Demas are putting the school right in the epicenter of the football recruiting map.

“I can’t go anywhere around the neighborhood or on campus and not be asked about them,” coach Clifton Terrell said. “I’ve been around the district for 28 years, and there haven’t been any more high-profile guys than these two.

“They are really grounded kids and we keep them grounded,” he said. “They motivate the other kids here. They see that if Javonne and Demond can do it, so can they. It just takes hard work and effort. We want it to continue to be a revolving door of coaches after they leave.”

At 6-foot-4, Demas is the go-to guy for North Forest. He is a dominant receiver, a punt and kick-returner and can play safety on defense.

He was the Offensive MVP of the District as a sophomore and a first- teamer on defense.

“He’s so explosive and there isn’t a ball that he doesn’t think he can’t catch,” Terrell said. “He does everything for us and he never wants to leave the field.”

The Big Man on Campus also helped lead the basketball team to the second-round of the playoffs and is now making noise on the track.

‘My first love is football,” Demas said. “I can’t put my finger on what I like the most.”

One of the things that make Demas a great player is his work ethic. He got it from admiring the hard work his father and grandfather put into creating their own successful businesses.

In pursuit of his NFL goal, Demas works relentlessly on his craft setting a good example for his younger brothers. His mom is also a motivating factor as he tries to make sure he can one day provide for her.

What else makes Demas a great player is his faith. Demas understands his God-given talent will have a lot to do with him reaching his goals.

Because of that faith, Demas doesn’t hesitate to give up the opportunity to go to football showcases on Sunday, so that he can be in church. That was the case when “The Opening” sponsored by Nike came to Houston. Demas was invited but chose to skip the event so that he could be in church.

Javonne Shepherd is so new to the sport of football. The right tackle started playing football in the ninth grade and has upside a big as his 6-foot-6 frame.

“Shepherd is really strong and has worked so much on this craft,” Terrell said. “He has a great football IQ, but at the same time wants to pancake you on every play. He has a great motor.”

His motor was on display at The Opening when he ran a 4.7 in the 40-yard dash at 320-pounds. He walked away with the Offensive Lineman MVP.

“I’ve known about ‘The Opening’ before I even started playing football,” Shepherd said. “I didn’t think I would get ever get MVP, especially on my first time. It’s a big deal for me.”

When his football journey began, he admits that he got whooped the first day of practice. Since then, Shepherd has become a leader that his teammates respect and look up to.

“These are great young men,” Terrell said. “We are real with them and take the recruiting process very serious. We want them to get out of here and make us proud. We guide them with tough love, but they are more than our players, they are family. We will provide them with everything we can, they know I’ll answer every time they call and I will treat them like they are my own sons.”

That’s how it’s supposed to be.

This article appears in the March Issue of VYPE Magazine. Pick up your copy at any one of our locations today!

 

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Is it time to rethink the trade? Composite Getty Image.

The 2025 season hasn't gone according to script for the Houston Astros. Injuries, slumps, and a retooled roster have left fans asking whether this version of the Astros is underwhelming—or if, given all the turmoil, they might actually be overachieving.

When Houston dealt Kyle Tucker, a franchise cornerstone, the move raised eyebrows. Tucker was a consistent producer and an anchor in right field. In return, the Astros received infielder Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and third baseman now outfielder Cam Smith—players who didn’t bring the same star power but offered versatility and upside.

Paredes has delivered as advertised. He’s brought steady production at the plate and the ability to play a solid third base. While he may not be with the team beyond 2027 if the front office sticks to its recent pattern of letting players walk in free agency, his presence right now is stabilizing an otherwise inconsistent lineup.

Then there’s Cam Smith, who might be the real key to this deal. After a slow start and questions about whether he or Zach Dezenzo was the better option in right field, Smith has surged. Over the past 30 days, he’s hit north of .300 and shown signs of becoming a long-term fixture. The biggest question now is positional: Is he Houston’s future in right field, or could he eventually slide over to third base if/when Paredes departs? That decision will ripple through future roster planning and could define how this trade is remembered.

In the meantime, however, he’s shown flashes of being a quality everyday player. But it’s not uncommon for young hitters to take a step back after an initial surge. The Astros need him to keep proving it, but the potential is unmistakable.

Underwhelming or overachieving?

Elsewhere on the roster, the results are mixed. Players like Jake Meyers and Victor Caratini, who came into the season with modest expectations, have performed admirably. Meanwhile, stars like José Altuve, Christian Walker, and Yainer Díaz have underperformed, leaving the offensive output uneven. Add in the extended absence of Yordan Álvarez and the loss of three-fifths of the starting rotation, and it's fair to say Houston has had more than its share of adversity.

King of the hill

One area where the Astros have arguably found a diamond in the rough is Bryan King. With a 1.52 ERA in 2025, King has passed the eye test as a potential long-term solution in high-leverage relief situations. He’s been more than capable, building on a solid 2.39 ERA in 2024. His performance has solidified his place in the bullpen, and he’s taken on ownership of his role. However, it’s important for the Astros to temper expectations, especially after the lessons learned from the Rafael Montero signing. King looks like the real deal, but he still has a ways to go before being considered a true elite option out of the 'pen.

What should we make of the Alex Bregman quad injury?

Bregman’s injury doesn’t really change the conversation around whether the Astros should have extended him. If anything, it highlights the complexity of roster decisions. Houston could’ve kept Bregman, shifted Paredes to first base, and potentially avoided spending big on Christian Walker. But injuries are part of the game—Yordan Álvarez has missed nearly half the season, and no one’s suggesting the Astros should regret signing him. Kyle Tucker missed significant time last year, too, and he’s about to land a massive contract. Players get hurt. That’s baseball.

Moving forward

While the Astros have struggled with injuries and inconsistent performances, they have managed to remain competitive—perhaps even overachieving given the circumstances. The team's depth, the surprising performances from certain players, and the emergence of promising new talent have allowed them to hold their ground, currently possessing a Wild Card spot in the AL if the season were to end today.

There's so much more to discuss! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!

The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!

*ChatGPT assisted.

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