Davis’ rushing puts Tigers on top
Jalen Davis’ running prowess and Katy’s six sacks kept the Tigers humming in Saturday’s season opener against Clear Springs, despite questions at quarterback.
Davis had a hat trick of touchdown runs on 22 carries for 113 yards in the Tigers’ 28-13 win at Challenger Columbia Stadium.
The senior running back had touchdown runs of 6, 1 and 46 yards, helping a Katy team without three-year starting quarterback Bronson McClelland.
McClelland told the Chronicle prior to Saturday’s game he was not playing, as he is currently tending to personal issues he declined to expand on.
An unnamed source close to the situation who requested anonymity told the Chronicle on Saturday night McClelland’s absence stems from being caught with an illegal substance.
It is unclear when or if McClelland will rejoin the team, as Katy head coach Gary Joseph said moments after Saturday afternoon’s game McClelland’s status is “up in the air”.
McClelland was suspended for two games last season after a video of the quarterback uttering a racial slur surfaced on social media.
Junior quarterback Bryce Nirider started in place of McClelland and split snaps with sophomore Caleb Koger.
Davis’ efforts come as no surprise. It was thought he’d share the backfield in 2020 with highly touted Southern Cal commitment Brandon Campbell, who transferred in from Lamar Consolidated after playing for Pearland in 2019. Campbell announced in August, however, he is opting out of his senior year.
Instead it’s a backfield of brothers for Katy. Seth Davis, a sophomore and Jalen’s brother, rushed for 85 yards on six carries. His 14-yard and 46-yard scampers set up Koger’s 1-yard touchdown sneak to help ice the win with three minutes remaining in the game.
In addition to playing with his brother, Jalen says he hopes to continue a great legacy of Katy running backs.
“I’m just grateful to play for a team with the history of running backs they’ve produced,” Jalen said. “I’m ready to mark my territory and spread my name.”
After Davis’ 46-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, Clear Springs backup quarterback Cody Kuhlmann lined a 30-yard touchdown pass to Kaleb Hymes, cutting Katy’s lead to 21-13 after the missed extra-point try with 4:53 remaining in the period. Hymes finished with six catches for 71 yards and the score.
Clear Springs’ starting quarterback Luke Sampson suffered from cramps in the third quarter but returned in the fourth quarter.
The drive ending with Hymes’ touchdown catch felt like a win for Clear Springs against Katy’s ferocious pass rush. Top junior recruit and defensive end
Malick Sylla is one of the headliners.
“We got a very talented DLine with Cohen Dearman and Cal Varner,” Sylla said. “We’ve been practicing all summer. We knew we had high expectations and we just got after it.”
Joseph added: “We knew that our pass rush was going to have to be pretty good. We had a little inexperience in the secondary. That’s fine. That’s part of it, part of growing up. I’m proud of the kids for hanging in. It was hot on both sides. Had a lot of kids cramp. A lot of kids had to step up and play, which is good. It creates a little depth right now and it’s in a tight situation, not just when it’s a blowout.”
Inclement weather put a dent in Clear Springs’ practice time, something many teams are dealing with in the Houston area. Players are still rounding into shape, hence the cramps.
Clear Springs coach Craig Dailey, a former Katy assistant, isn’t resting on reasons for the loss and liked his team’s competitiveness.
This is the third consecutive season Clear Springs scheduled Katy in non-district play when many shy away from the challenge. Dailey said the players welcome it in an effort to build an elite program.
“We’re not there yet, but I think every year we play them, we play them closer and closer,” Dailey said. “I think we’re building year in and year out.”