Gotte wastes no time making mark
Just four years after school opened, Panthers have chance to win a title
B.J. Gotte remembers sitting in an art room at an elementary school across the street from the construction.
The Paetow High campus was still just “steel and concrete,” and he and principal Mindy Dickerson were the only two employees hired to run the new Katy ISD school at the time.
“To think back to that moment and think about where we are now, it’s just reassuring to see the plan that was instilled in me from the mentors that I was fortunate enough to work with,” said Gotte, who was hired as the school’s first head football coach. “Me being able to use that experience to create something cool for these kids and community feels good.”
Gotte and his staff have been building the program since the school opened its doors four years ago. Now the Panthers have a chance to leave an indelible mark on the history of Texas high school football.
Paetow (14-1) will take on College Station (15-0) for the Class 5A Division I state championship at 7 p.m. Friday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. It will be the first title game appearance for a team from the district not named Katy High School.
“When you think about football and Katy, you think about Katy High School, and you should,” Gotte said. “They’re a historic program, and for us to be able to make our small mark right now is neat.”
Reaching the pinnacle did not come easy. Gotte and his coaches established a culture from day one. The seniors on the roster have also played an instrumental role in helping the Panthers achieve unprecedented success.
One of those seniors, running back Jacob Brown, has been on fire throughout the playoffs. He has rushed for 810 yards and 14 touchdowns in five games, including a 348-yard, five
touchdown performance in the state quarterfinals.
Paetow will have 16 seniors starting on offense and defense when it takes the field Friday night.
“Our seniors have been through so much,” Gotte said. “They were kind of the first junior high group that started this program with us. We’ve seen them go through eighth grade all the way up. Now, finally, their senior year is drawing to a close with a chance to win a state championship. That’s been the coolest thing about this whole deal.”
While advancing to the state title game is certainly an accomplishment, Paetow refuses to be satisfied. Gotte has reiterated to his players that they’ve earned the right to play in big games but that it doesn’t need to change their preparation.
“We talked to them about being there to finish,” said Gotte, whose program has compiled a 34-13 overall record in four seasons. “We’re not just happy to be there. We’re going to be at our best and give our best and compete to win.”
Gotte has plenty of experience at state after serving as the offensive coordinator for Katy during championship runs in 2012 and 2015.
The Katy native also played for the Tigers during his high school days under coach Mike Johnston.
Gotte credits Johnston, current Katy coach Gary Joseph, former La Marque coach Bryan Erwin and former Deer Park coach Chris Massey as just four of the many mentors he’s worked with during his career.
“Those guys have helped give me the opportunity to be able to do this,” Gotte said.
Gotte will lean on his coaching experience when the Panthers make their state debut. Paetow has a big challenge ahead against a College Station program aiming for its second state championship in four years.
The Cougars are led by head coach Steve Huff and his son, Jett, the team’s starting quarterback. Jett has completed 76 percent of his passes for 2,943 yards and 42 touchdowns against four interceptions this season. College Station also has a talented running back in Marquise Collins, who has piled up 2,627 yards and 37 touchdowns.
If all that weren’t enough, the Cougars also allow just 11.5 points and 225 yards per game defensively.
“They’re the most wellrounded team we’re going to face this year,” Gotte said. “They’re wellcoached, they’re solid on offense, they’re solid on defense, and they’re solid on special teams. They really don’t have a weakness. … They’re fast, physical, disciplined, athletic. Those are all the things we strive to be as a program, and they are definitely that.”