Video: Early Contenders presented by Shock Doctor We set the tone for 2018 by looking at high school football's elite.
Head coach: Gary Joseph
Last season: 12-1, No. 17 national ranking, lost 28-14 to No. 16 Lake Travis in the UIL Texas 6A division 1 semifinals.
Last decade: 135-14
Famous alumni/players: Andy Dalton, Bengals quarterback; Clint Black, country singer; Sage Northcutt, UFC fighter; Renee Zellweger, actress.
Star power (According to 247Sports): 5-star recruits — 0; 4-star recruits — 1; 3-star recruits — 1
Head coach Gary Joseph
Photo by Leslie Johnson
— The 4-star is a beast and the Tigers have gone 38-4 and won a state championship (2015) during his first three years at Katy.
QB Bronson McClelland (5-11, 185, So.) — Keep an eye on this talent from the Class of 2021.
OT Cole Birmingham (6-4.5, 295, Sr.) — The 2019 Oklahoma State commit is the leader in the trenches.
DB Jianni Angulo (5-9, 165, Sr.) — Katy has been known for a strong running game and a lights-out defense. Angulo will be one of the leaders on defense along with fellow senior
Kaden Gonzales.
WR Jordan Patrick (5-9, 150, Jr.) — Patrick is one of the best kept secrets in Texas. Expect him and McClelland to be a big-time duo in 2018.
Running back Deondrick Glass
Photo by Leslie Johnson
vs. North Shore
Sept. 8 — vs. Atascocita
Receiver Jordan Patrick
Photo by Leslie Johnson
• Katy is one of the winningest programs in Texas high school football history. The Tigers have won at least 10 games each year since 2002 and are currently tied for the most state titles with eight (1959, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2012 and 2015). Four of the eight championships have come under current head coach Gary Joseph, who is 190-18 since taking the helm prior to the 2004 season.
• The Tigers have had some big-time running backs over the last five years including the likes of Oklahoma's
Rodney Anderson and Texas'
Kyle Porter but Deondrick Glass might be the best one yet. He's a special talent and there's a good chance he puts his name in the mix for 2018 National Player of the Year.
• Katy had its undefeated record come to an end in the UIL Texas state semifinals last season. Don't be surprised if the Tigers enter the postseason undefeated in 2018 with a good chance to add its ninth state title when the dust settles.
Katy players (left to right) Jordan Patrick, Kaden Gonzales, Cole Birmingham, Bronson McClelland and Jianni Angulo are hoping to add a ninth state championship to their school's trophy case.
Photo by Leslie Johnson
