Successes build on successes for Katy
Tigers head back to 7-on-7 state tournament for sixth year running
Katy is heading back to state.
The reigning Class 6A Division II state champions qualified for the 7-on-7 state tournament in College Station for the sixth year in a row by making the final of the Cypress Falls state qualifying tourney.
The 7-on-7 state championships are July 8-9 at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex.
“It’s good,” Katy coach Gary Joseph said.
“It’s a neat deal for them. They wanted to do it and I was pleased to see them do it. It’s the sixth year in a row, and I don’t think there’s been twice since they’ve had this thing they haven’t been able to go.”
The Tigers clinched their return with a win in the semifinals of the Cy Falls SQT, then they edged Cy Ranch 14-7 in the final.
Joseph said that contest was a little rough, but the rest of the day went very well.
“It was the last game after playing all afternoon long, so the kids were tired and most of them had accomplished what they wanted to, which was to qualify (for state), but up until then it was a very competitive day,” he said.
It’s a very important summer for the Tigers.
With Garrett Doiron graduating, they’ll have a new quarterback under center this fall, and Rocky Emery, Sterling Sine and Cooper Calland all have taken snaps, with Emery emerging as the likely starter.
Joseph said the incoming senior won the job in the spring.
Emery saw only limited time while backing up Doiron last season, and Joseph is anxious to see what he does this year.
“He didn’t do as well as I was hoping he would do last year,” Joseph said. “I’m hoping now that he has had a little bit of varsity experience, it will show up. That’s going to be a big question mark. Can he step in?
“He has some big shoes to step into. We’re not expecting him to do this by himself but he’s got to be able to manage a ballgame and show some maturity and poise.”
Joseph said it’s hard to compare Emery to Doiron, a three-year starter who brought maturity and presence to the position.
But Emery is handling the pressure of replacing him well so far.
“In 7-on-7, you could tell that it was a growing experience for him, and in some of the tournaments he played in early on he had to get used to the speed of the game,” Joseph said. “So it’s a growing-up process and he’s done better.”
The 7-on-7 season is especially important for Emery, then, in establishing himself as a leader and developing chemistry with his receivers.
“It was for him, just to gain confidence in himself and gain a little bit of confidence in his receivers, and who he’s comfortable throwing the ball to and how fast some of the kids are, and being able to get the ball to them,” Joseph said.
J.C. Angulo, the top returning receiver, is one of Emery’s key targets this summer.
Incoming senior Jaxon Borowski won a starting job in the spring, but he’s out with a broken foot.
Katy also has Zach Seidel, the QB on the sophomore team last year, at receiver in 7-on-7, along with Kadarius Page, a backup running back last season, Tre Minix and tight end Parker Eichenberger.
The defending champs are replacing all four defensive backs.
Keegan Otte, their third cornerback last season who started four games, is working at DB this summer, along with returning backup corner Trey Odom, strong safety Brody Anderson and Michael Gomez.
“We’ve got some experience but they haven’t started and been the guy,” Joseph said.
The Tigers are in Pool N with Austin Bowie, Lewisville Hebron and Lubbock Monterey. They open against Monterey at 2 p.m. Friday.
“I want to see them mature and compete,” Joseph said.
“They played in the (7on-7 SQT) at Cinco, and of course they’d already qualified, but they competed and played in some close games, lost one by one and lost another, so all three games were within five points.”