Tigers’ defense seals win
The game hung in the balance for the second consecutive week, but Katy has yet to fall.
An interception by senior defensive back Micah Sweats in Katy territory on fourth down sealed a 14-13 victory Saturday at Legacy Stadium in the District 19-6A opener for both teams.
Seth Davis scored both touchdowns and rushed for 111 yards on 25 carries for the Tigers, who trailed at halftime and clung to a one-point lead for three Tompkins possessions. The Falcons reached the Katy 42 with less than two minutes remaining, but on fourth-and-4 Sweats jumped a curl route to keep Katy (3-0) undefeated.
“I knew they were running a bunch of stop routes on the short-down routes,” Sweats said. “I trusted my other guys to get to the quarterback, and I read the route. I was just making a play and doing my job.”
The Tigers allowed a season low in points, limiting a Falcons rushing offense capable of breaking big plays.
Tompkins carried 29 times for 61 yards. Chris Gilbert and Wyatt Young combined to complete 18 of 26 passes for 177 yards, but with two interceptions.
“It all started with our D-line,” junior linebacker Connor Johnsey said. “We had to get the gaps open for the linebackers. The safeties came in and filled the gaps. We prepared this whole week hard every day. I feel like we were very prepared.”
Katy got the secondhalf offense it needed on one impressive drive, covering 93 yards in 14 plays on its first possession of the third quarter.
The Tigers made steady progress, including a 17-yard run by Davis, a 20-yard run by Dallas Glass and a 21-yard catch by Chase Johnsey.
A pass breakup in the end zone by Tompkins’ Evan Tymon brought up fourth-and-goal, but Davis found room in the middle for the go-ahead touchdown with 2:48 remaining in the quarter.
Tompkins (2-1) took advantage of two Katy turnovers, a muffed punt and penalties to take a 13-7 halftime lead.
The teams exchanged early turnovers, with Katy’s Connor Johnsey ending Tompkins’ first drive.
“I knew there was trips on the right side,” Johnsey said. “I was supposed to be on a stunt, but I read it, dropped back and the ball just came right to me.”
Griffin Simonton turned the momentum back for Tompkins, recovering a fumble to avert scoring position for Katy. Noah Coughran flipped the field for Tompkins with a 57-yard catch-andrun, speeding to the edge and down the sideline after a short pass.
That set up a 31-yard field goal by Andrew Horner for a 3-0 lead with 3:12 left in the first quarter.
Tompkins grabbed another turnover on Katy’s next series, two plays after a 27-yard catch by Oliver Ginn. Cody Chapman picked off a pass over the middle in double coverage to set up Tompkins at its own 11.
Katy held and took advantage of field position, covering 35 yards in four plays capped by Davis’ eight-yard run for a 7-3 lead with 9:59 left in the half.
Tompkins appeared stopped on its next possession, including tackles for loss by Johnathan Hall, Chisholm Hill and Blake Geiman.
But the Falcons recovered a muffed punt to extend the drive. Horner pulled Tompkins within 7-6 with a 25-yard field goal.
Katy’s next drive started at its 1 when the kick returner knelt in front of the goal line instead of producing a touchback.
The Falcons forced a three-and-out, then covered 48 yards in nine plays. They set up for a third Horner field goal but received a first down when Katy jumped offside.
Given another chance, Tompkins took a shot at the end zone as Young circled to the corner from his slot position and hauled in an 11-yard touchdown from Gilbert with 11 seconds left.
But those were the final points for the Falcons, who played Katy within one score for the third time in four years including a victory in 2020.
Tompkins continues district play against Cinco Ranch Friday at Rhodes Stadium, while Katy plays Morton Ranch at Legacy Stadium the same night.
Katy opened the season with a 49-16 victory against Clear Springs and prevailed 35-28 against Atascocita last week. The Tigers were tied as late as the final minute against the Eagles, then locked in another battle with rival Tompkins.
“I feel like we’ve learned to trust ourselves,” Sweats said. “When we go out there the offense is able to trust us and we’re able to trust the offense.”