The Katy Tigers are Texas state title contenders and they're likely going to be one of the best running teams in the country. It's just business as usual for coach Gary Joseph and his program.
Photo by Jim Redman
If not for a superhuman game by Cedar Hill receiver Damarkus Lodge, Katy would be entering the season as the two-time defending Class 5A-II state champion.
The Tigers, who have been state finalists in six of the last nine seasons, lost a late lead and ending up enduring a 34-24 loss. As tough as that setback was, it helped forge the 2014 Katy squad, a large portion of which saw the field in the Cedar Hill game.
One of those is quarterback
Garrett Doiron, who threw a touchdown against Cedar Hill after taking over the starting job from quarterback Kiley Huddleston in November.
Doiron was an effective game manager in Katy's run-first offense. He was one of eight sophomores to start in the state title game.
The backfield teems with potential, as
Rodney Anderson and
Kyle Porter, a junior, each rushed for over 1,900 yards a year ago -- an almost unmatched statistic. As a whole, the Tigers averaged nearly seven rushing yards per attempt.
The team attempted only 214 passes (versus 684 runs) last year. When they do look to pass this season, the Tigers have receiver
Tony Mullins back. Anderson also catches passes very well out of the backfield. Outside of
Luke Spies, the offensive line will need to prove itself.
The defense offers even fewer question marks. Gone are several key pieces from the front seven, most notably Jake Blomstrom, but linemen
Jesse Brown and
Joey Woodring should provide some solace to head coach Gary Joseph.
Paddy Fisher is back at linebacker. Six-foot-4, 200-pound junior
Hunter Stinson certainly looks the part and has a good shot at claiming a starting job.
The secondary is the strength of not just the defense, but the entire team. All the key pieces return for what would be one of the top defensive back groups in program history.
Sy Slater,
JoVanni Stewart,
Tyler Whillock and
Collin Wilder give Joseph plenty of tools in his chest. A defensive-minded coach to begin with, Joseph could take the unit to a new level in 2014, though improving on a unit that allowed a paltry 7.9 points per game a year ago is not easy.
Katy is clearly the top team in the Houston area entering 2014, and looks like it is on a collision course to face Cedar Hill in the 5A-II playoffs once more. It would mark the third-straight time they've clashed in the finals.
Rodney Anderson has been a star from the start at Katy.
Photo by Jim Redman/IIIustration by Social Recluse Graphx
