North Shore (Houston) at No. 11 Katy (Texas)This is the fourth consecutive opening-week showdown between Houston's most successful programs of the last decade. North Shore won the first game in the series (10-6 in 2008) but lost the next two including a 44-6 shellacking a year ago. The teams also met in last year's playoffs with Katy winning, 37-27. The Mustangs must get back to running the ball with power and playing great defense in order to return to a level of dominance that saw them win a state-record 78 consecutive regular season games.
Katy has won 95 of its last 105 games and begins the season in its usual spot at or near the top of the preseason 5A state rankings. The Tigers return four starters on both sides of the ball including senior quarterback
Brooks Haack, an all-district selection last year. Joining him in the backfield is one of the nation's top junior running backs in
Adam Taylor, a 6-foot-1, 200-pounder who had more than 1,500 yards on the ground last season.
Mitch Stephens: Katy 34, North Shore 21
Steve Montoya: Katy 28, North Shore 20
Stephen Spiewak: Katy 17, North Shore 14
Kevin Askeland: Katy 28, North Shore 12
Jamie DeMoney: Katy 24, North Shore 20
(In the season opener last season, Katy won big 44-6)
