VYPE 5A -- No. 1 Katy Tigers

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No. 1

The Katy Tigers

Are the Tigers Ready for a State Run?

Head Coach: Gary Joseph

2011 Overall Record: 12-1

Postseason: Lost to La Porte in the D2 Regional Playoffs

By Ahmard Vital

Like most years, the Katy football team is going into 2012 as the preseason No. 1 team. And why not, the Tigers return eight starters and have been dominant for decades. With Katy, it is much of the same mindset as the New York Yankees and the New England Patriots, the Tigers are not looking to be competitive and make a nice playoff run. They want to not only get to the big dance, but win it as well.

The pieces are in place for that to happen.

Offensively, the Tigers are still seeking who will run the offense, but have more than a couple of players who can get the job done in the backfield, an area of their game that has been their trademark for years. Back in the lineup is running back Adam Taylor (LSU-Commit), a player who is back to full strength and ready to go. When Taylor went down, it was underclassman running back Rodney Anderson who gave the Tigers a spark with over 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns.

“Getting Adam Taylor back at running back after missing a full year last year is good for us. Rodney Anderson has looked good this spring and I anticipate that he’ll be good after a year of varsity football under his belt,” Katy coach Gary Joseph said. “He (Anderson) will no doubt be a good football player.”

At wide receiver the speedy Kyle Fulks, who is committed to Baylor, will be the go-to guy in the passing game after getting over 400 yards and eight touchdowns last year. Because the Tigers are more of a running team, having solid offensive lineman is key and a serviceable fullback is also a plus.

The Tigers have both.

“Javier Lopez at offensive tackle has really helped. And I think people will be surprised about Alex Fisher, who was all-district last year at fullback,” Joseph said.

Look for Lopez to have another lineman in Aaron Sowell, who will be back in 2012 after losing last year to injury.

Having a solid defense is also a staple of many of the Katy teams and defensive end Matt Dimon is a great one to have up front providing pressure. The Oklahoma pledge had 55 tackles (20 for loss), 12 sacks, six forced fumbles as a junior. Linebacker Jake Blomstrom is one of the city’s best and had 97 tackles a year ago. In the secondary, Isaiah Brown and Quin Atwood are both veterans in the secondary. Brown had 45 tackles, 10 pass break ups and three interceptions while Atwood had four interceptions as well.

#3pointstance

Finding a quarterback will be a big factor for the Tigers going forward, but surely that position will be solidified before the Tigers line up at Reliant against Klein. With the 1-2 punch of Taylor/Anderson along with the speed of Fulks on the edge, Katy will once again be tough. Combine that with a solid defensive unit and the Tigers should be one of the top teams in the state.

The 2012 Schedule

8/31 – Klein (Reliant)

9/7 – Alief Taylor

9/15 - @The Woodlands

Open

9/27 – Morton Ranch

10/6 – Mayde Creek

10/12 – Katy Taylor

10/19 – Seven Lakes

10/27 - @Strake Jesuit

11/3 – Cinco Ranch

11/9 - @Houston Memorial