A STORYBOOK CAREER
Katy’s best defenses often have multiple stars and standouts. The 2020 Class 6A Division II champions are no different.
Going from junior varsity as a junior to state title game Defensive MVP as a senior sounds like a storybook few could even dream of.
It’s what Katy defensive end Cal Varner III, the Chronicle’s Defensive Player of the Year, did in 2020.
From three sacks in the season opener against Clear Springs to two tackles for a loss, a sack and a massive 15-yard interception return for a touchdown in the 51-14 win over Cedar Hill in the state championship game, Varner had a season to remember.
He took the long road to get there, too, but you won’t have to look far to follow him at the next level. Varner, 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, graduated in December and signed to play 30 miles from Katy High School at Rice.
Q: What was your reaction to Houston Texans star J.J. Watt tweeting about your interception in the state title game?
A: “When I walked in the locker room, everybody was hyping it up. I was like ‘No way.’ I was getting ready for (media) interviews and they were like ‘You gotta look at your phone.’ I looked at my phone and my mouth dropped. I was like ‘J.J. Watt? J.J. Watt knows who I am now?’ It was a great experience. It really motivated me. I’ve been working out like every day now. It really motivated me to keep going.”
Q: Which players do you watch and try to emulate on the field?
A: “J.J. Watt is one and Aaron Donald. Aaron Donald (Los Angeles Rams), he’s just a beast. His pass rush moves are just incredible. His athleticism for a big man and he’s so strong, he’s someone you have to watch for. Then, Khalil Mack (Chicago Bears) for pass rushing, he’s one of my favorite players to watch, too.”
Q: How else do you pick your favorite pass rush moves?
A: “If I see something that I like, I’ll watch YouTube videos or drills, and if I see it, then I’ll immediately go outside and practice it. I’ll just go do a couple outside on the bag just to get it right. In the game, if I see I can use it and have the opportunity to use it, the way it comes out, there’s really no way to explain it.”
Q: How do you describe the year you had?
A: “It was surprising at first because coach (Gary) Joseph and coach (A.J.) Blum, I was a kid on JV, and they pushed me. They said this is your year. I put in the work during the summer. I came in, and the first game I was a little nervous because it was my first varsity start. After that game, my confidence kept building up like ‘Yeah this is going to be my year.’ My teammates had my back the whole way. We just pushed each other to better, and they got me to where I am right now.”
Q: What was that season on junior varsity like?
A: “I was sad a lot of the year because I know how good I am. I’m not trying to be cocky, but I knew I was better than a JV player. I was like ‘Maybe I didn’t work hard enough. Maybe I didn’t show them enough effort in practice.’ I was like ‘That’s my fault. That’s on me.’ This year I was like they’re going to give me the chance. I need to prove that they were wrong last year and that I should’ve been on varsity. If you’re on JV, you just have to keep pushing. You have to show the coaches you should be on varsity and that you’re a better player.”
Q: What was the turning point in the state title game?
A: “I think it was Shepherd Bowling’s interception. I saw the quarterback put his head down. After that, they started yelling at each other in the huddle. They started getting frustrated. I was like ‘Shepherd, you did that.’ ”
Q: What is most attractive about Rice?
A: “At Rice, you’re a part of a family. The phone calls, the Zoom calls, the FaceTime, they just treated me like I was already part of the program. They were telling me I’m not going to be a player, I’m already a player on the team. I just felt so at home. It’s a really good education, too. As soon as I got the offer and I committed, they invited me to the group chat on Twitter and we were best friends. I love the family community over there.”
Q: You come from an athletic family with your father playing basketball at the University of Texas and grandfather playing football at Stephen F. Austin. How did that affect your own athletic experience?
A: “Of course it built me up, but they never pressured me. They told me to do what I want to do, play the sports you want to play. My dad played basketball, should I play basketball, should I play football? They said ‘You do you son.’ So I chose football. It didn’t really put any pressure on me. It made me want to be better. My dad did this, my grandpa did this. So why can’t I do it? Why can’t I be better?”
Q: What was like playing on Katy’s defensive line this year?
A: “When Malick (Sylla) went down, it was a shock but then it was next man up. Coach Blum, he always pushed next man up. You always have to be ready. Malick went down, it’s like Cayde (Robertson), you have to step up. Cade, when he came up, we didn’t notice the difference. Of course, the pass rush wasn’t as quick but it was more power. It was more push back. Cohen (Dearman) in the middle was getting the pressure. It was the same thing just different people.”
Q: What is it like play for Katy?
A: “It’s an honor. The coaches we have, not every kid has these coaches. Coaches that push you hard. They give you the right advice. Coaches that care for you as a family. These coaches treat you like you’re their kid. They always have your back. I just love these coaches.”