GRIDIRON READY
Our high school football preview highlights the region’s best and brightest.
Katy has plenty of tradition.
But coach Gary Joseph and the Tigers understand that tradition alone doesn’t win games.
Katy is seeking the program’s 10th state championship this season, an accomplishment that only one other school in the state of Texas — the Aledo Bearcats — can claim.
In order to reach that mountaintop, the Tigers will have to leave behind the fruits of 2020.
Katy captured the Class 6A Division II title in January with a dominating 51-14 victory over Cedar Hill in the championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
The Tigers missed out on the District 19-6A title last season, ceding that opportunity with a 24-19 loss to Tompkins. Katy was a force in the playoffs, however, winning five games by an average of almost 42 points to finish the season 14-1.
The Tigers and teams nationwide also continue to deal with the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic. Now, they are aiming to get back to the pinnacle.
Katy enters the season ranked No. 2 in the state behind reigning Division I champion Austin Westlake. Southlake Carroll, North Shore and Duncanville round out the top five.
“I think the biggest thing is taking it one game at a time,” said Joseph, who has led the program to five state titles. “Our approach is that we’re looking forward to the game we’re playing, and then we’ll prepare for the next one. It’s not like we’re looking at a lot of fluid situations where things are going to change. We’re just looking to get back to normalcy.”
While the Tigers are certainly not resting on their laurels, the experience of
winning a state championship is a definite plus for the returning players.
“Hopefully, it was very beneficial, but that was last year’s team,” Joseph said. “We’ve impressed upon these kids that they haven’t done anything yet. We’re looking forward to them carrying on the tradition. No doubt, tradition is a big part of anybody’s program. We respect what that team did last year, but we’re also looking to the future.”
Katy returns 11 starters as the team prepares for its season opener at 7 p.m. Friday against Clear Springs at Legacy Stadium.
The offense will feature a returning starter at quarterback with senior Caleb Koger and a budding star at running back with junior Seth Davis. The latter was named the state title game Offensive MVP after rushing for 123
yards and a touchdown against Cedar Hill.
Defensively, the Tigers will count on the leadership of senior linebacker and USC commit Ty Kana. Katy is also looking for big seasons out of senior defensive back Bobby Taylor and senior edge rusher Malick Sylla, both of whom are committed to Texas A&M.
The senior class will play a critical role in making this season a success.
“They saw the work that had to be put in last year, and they were a part of it,” Joseph said. “They were a part of the unselfishness of that football team, and all the kids found a way to contribute. That’s what these seniors can pass on to the other kids. They can encourage them.
“Everybody’s got a role, and everybody’s going to be a part of this thing.”
Other 6A teams to watch
North Shore begins the season as one of the state’s top contenders, despite the departures of quarterback Dematrius Davis and wide receiver Shadrach Banks. Davis was named the AllGreater Houston Offensive Player of the Year as a senior, and both players were instrumental in helping the Mustangs win back-to-back state titles in 2018 and 2019.
Replacing that dynamic duo is a tall task, but coach Jon Kay has plenty of talent returning on defense to help ease the transition. The Mustangs bring back eight defensive starters from last year’s squad that went 14-1 and reached the Division I state semifinals.
With five-star defensive back Denver Harris leading the charge, North Shore will look to improve on its 14.2 points per game allowed last
season. Other key players include senior defensive lineman and Texas commit Kristopher Ross and senior linebacker Kent Battle.
The next state contender resides in the same daunting District 21-6A as North Shore. No. 6 state-ranked Atascocita is poised for another strong campaign under coach Craig Stump.
The Eagles return eight starters on each side of the ball. That experience should serve them well after going 7-3 and reaching the regional semifinals last season.
Atascocita returns dualthreat Gavin Session at quarterback and has one of the premier offensive tackles in the country up front with Kam Dewberry. Wide receivers Keith Wheeler and Chase Sowell should provide reliable targets in the passing game.
Senior pass rusher Micah
Tate and junior linebacker Jadon Ducos will help lead the way for the Eagles’ defense.
Tompkins edged Katy for the 19-6A crown last season, but the Falcons must replace star quarterback Jalen Milroe, now playing at Alabama. The Falcons bring back eight starters on offense as they aim for another strong campaign under coach Todd McVey.
Spring has one of the city’s top quarterbacks with the return of Bishop Davenport. The Lions return 17 starters from a team that went undefeated in the district, finished 9-1 overall and advanced to the regional semifinals last season.
Shadow Creek has only been open since 2016, but the Sharks have quickly established themselves as a football powerhouse. This year’s team returns only six starters and must replace star quarterback Kyron Drones, but there is plenty of talent in the program.
Westfield will once again challenge Spring for the 14-6A crown. The Mustangs have a seasoned quarterback as well with Cardell Williams and one of the city’s top defensive players with defensive lineman AJ Holmes, a Virginia commit.
Bridgeland is looking to build on its 12-1 record and third-round playoff appearance from 2020. The Bears have just four starters returning on offense, but they are led by one of the area’s top signal-callers with A&M commit Conner Weigman.
Keep an eye on: C.E. King, Klein Cain, Dickinson, Cy-Fair, Ridge Point, Pearland Dawson, The Woodlands, College Park, Cypress Park, Tomball Memorial, Pasadena Dobie, Houston Lamar, Cypress Ranch, Pearland, Clear Falls, Clear Springs.