Tigers pounce early in debut
Katy needed 10 seconds to score its first points of 2021.
After a bobbled opening kickoff, Cayde Robertson and Chisholm Hill pounced on the first play from scrimmage for a safety.
Clear Springs did not make it easy at times, but the defending state champions controlled their season opener in a 40-7 victory Friday at Legacy Stadium.
Unlike during the COVID-19 attendance restrictions of 2020, the Tigers were welcomed by a full stadium as they took the field for the first time since the Class 6A Division II championship game.
“It was great,” Katy coach Gary Joseph said. “That’s what the Katy community has been. I was kind of worried at the beginning. I thought, ‘Well I guess the COVID is not going to bring them back, but they’ll come back.’ They were there in force tonight. We’ve got a lot of big games this year, and I hope we pack the stands. Our kids deserve it, and I think this community is going to stand up for our kids.”
Katy gave its fans plenty to cheer. The safety put the Tigers in front immediately and was part of an early trend of field-position advantage. Clear Springs started drives on its own 4-, 1- and 6-yard lines during the first half.
Katy missed early chances to extend its lead, as Michael McBride blocked a field-goal attempt for the Chargers, and Bryce Jackson recovered a goalline fumble on the next series.
But the Tigers broke through five plays later, as Caleb Koger rolled out and found Ronnie Schneider open for a short completion, which Schneider turned into a 42-yard touchdown.
“A lot of first-game stuff, turning the ball over, pre-snap penalties, just stuff we’ve got to fix the rest of the year,” Joseph said. “I think the kids came out determined. We don’t get the opportunities we had early in the game every game.”
Clear Springs reached Katy territory twice in the first half, primarily on receptions by Ky Woods and the rushing of XaiShaun Edwards. But a stop by Ty Kana and an incomplete pass ended one drive on downs, and a stop by Damian Neveaux and Malick Sylla halted another.
Katy drove 82 yards to pad its lead, with Seth Davis converting a fourth-down run to set up a 13yard touchdown by Isaiah Smith and a 16-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
The Tigers beat the clock for a 19-0 halftime lead, covering 44 yards in less than a minute without a timeout. Catches by JR Ceyanes and Schneider set up Axel Robertson’s 33-yard field goal as time expired.
Katy put the game way with its first two drives of the second half. The Tigers overcame penalties for a 75-yard opening drive, highlighted by a 21-yard catch by Nic Anderson, a 34-yard run by Davis and Davis’ touchdown.
Chase Johnsey carried most of the next drive, which ended when Elijah Bowman connected with Antonio Silva for a 14-yard touchdown and a 33-0 lead.
The Tigers seemed to find a bit of a groove offensively in the second half with the help of a line that included Jace Butler, Jacob Egg, Dylan Erickson, Caleb Webb, Isaiah Ybarra and Luke Carter.
Koger, who earned the starting quarterback role as a sophomore during last season, was impressed with the overall performance.
“Our run game, our line was blocking really well, and it opened up a lot of holes for us,” Koger said. “My offense played amazing. My line is perfect, knocking people down. Seth was awesome; Chase was awesome; Isaiah is always good. My receivers were consistent. We all just came together and played well.”
Clear Springs got on the board with 5:06 remaining as Cody Kuhlmann found Ashton Schumann for a 6-yard touchdown. Edwards crossed the 100-yard mark on the drive with a 43-yard run.
The Chargers face another Katy ISD team in Week 2, hosting Tompkins on Friday. Tompkins prevailed 10-7 last year.
Katy takes on Cypress Woods on Saturday at Rhodes Stadium, one year after defeating the Wildcats 66-21. Cy Woods took on Kingwood to open the 2021 season.