No. 11 Katy

Returning lots of players is a key to a good season. Returning players at the most important positions is even more integral.

Katy doesn't necessarily have a boatload of returners, but it does have its quarterback, running back, center, star linebacker and most of its defensive line coming back.

An offense that scored less than 38 points just once in 14 games last season returns a third-year starter at quarterback, a running back who romped for more than 1,500 yards (more than nine per carry) last season and an all-district center on the offensive line. That should equal plenty of points for the Tigers, who dropped a tight 38-35 upset to eventual champion Pearland last year in the Texas 5A Division I quarterfinals.

Known more for defense over the years, Katy will once again be solid there.



Expectations at Katy are always high, and though the players change every year, not much else does.

The Tigers are contenders for a state title every year it seems, and 2011 should be no different.

Local look: "Every year I think maybe they'll be down a little, and they'll try to make you believe they have work to do. But every year I go out and watch them and they look phenomenal. Nobody else has the tradition that Katy has. Those kids grow up wanting to play for Katy. Brooks Haack runs that offense very well and I expect him to have a good year. And I think Adam Taylor is one of those kids that is going make a huge difference. They've had very, very good running backs but I think this kid is for real. He could push them to another level."
- Jenny Dial, Houston Chronicle

Continue to School Profile
{PAGEBREAK}


School size: 5A

Enrollment: 2,641 (approx.)



2010 finish: 13-1

Head coach: Gary Joseph

Career record: 95-10

Years at school: 30 (seven as head coach)

Notable players coached:
Donovonn Young (Signed with Illinois)
Andy Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals' second-round pick)
Ryan Mouton (Third-round pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2009)
Bo Levi Mitchell (Current Eastern Washington QB, former SMU QB)

Continue to Key Returners
{PAGEBREAK}

No. of returning starters: 5 (offense), 4 (defense)



Key losses:
RB Donovonn Young
WR Chris Bethley
TE Jake Dill
LB Grant Clifton
OL Brandon Price
OL Taylor Springer
DL John Sampa
DL Nick Narcisse
LB Tyler Droog
DB Colt Atwood
DB Rykan Jones

Key returners:
QB Brooks Haack
RB Adam Taylor
WR Jordan Thompson
OL Cameron Glover
OL Cole Gessler
DL/DE Matt Dimon
DL Jake Grode
DL Jake Miller
DL Cory Lyons
LB Bo Brown
DB Brandon Ebrecht
K Jeff Johnson

Continue to Season Outlook
{PAGEBREAK}

Toughest game: North Shore (Houston). The Lions aren't easing into their season, not one bit. Katy was the only team to beat North Shore last year, doing so twice, and once again opens with the Houston school. Then it's Alief Taylor the next week, which finished 10-2 last season.

Local look: Pearland was a bit of a surprise champion last year, and presents Katy with another Houston-area foe to get past for a 5A-I state title. Both Klein Collins and Klein Oak are worth keeping an eye on, as is The Woodlands.

Overall outlook: Katy is always good. For a team that has been in the state final four times in the past seven years, and in the quarterfinals the other three, anything short of a deep playoff run is an outright disappointment. This year's team has the experience at quarterback, the explosiveness at running back and a defense-savvy coach — that sure looks like the ingredients for a state title run. The secondary may be the biggest question mark, so if the defensive backs do their parts, it's an all-around solid team. Predicting the playoffs is nearly impossible, but look for Katy to romp through its regular season, especially in district play.

Coach quote: "I expect the same all the time. We expect to play for a state championship. We plan on playing 16 games a year. Our non-district schedule is really tough, so it'll give us a gauge."
- Gary Joseph



Continue to Video of Returning Players
{PAGEBREAK}