2021 Season Preview: Katy Tigers

The Katy Tigers are coming off of a dominating 2020-21 season, going 13-1 and winning its 9th, yes 9TH state championship. The Tigers were exceptional on both sides of the ball. The offense averaged 49 points per game and 405.7 yards per game. Defensively, the Tigers allowed only 11 points per game. Coach Joseph and his staff have done an amazing job of being a consistent powerhouse and will be looking to continue their reign for the years to come. Coach Joseph and the Tigers are returning 24 total letterman players while losing 47. The team has talent across the board and great coaching. We will see if this will be enough to get them back to state.   Key Returning Offensive Starters: QB Caleb Kroger (2023) - 1,460 Passing Yards, 23 TDs - 2 INTs, 122.1 QB Rating Kroger played better throughout the season and was the perfect game manager for his team. Kroger was careful and efficient with the ball, and did everything that was asked of him. You could see the confidence building with every possession for this young quarterback so expect him to be even more poised this upcoming season. RB [player_tooltip player_id="121974" first="Seth" last="Davis"] (2023) - 1,785 Rushing Yards, 18 Rushing TDs State Championship MVP and 2nd Team All-District back returns for his junior year as the leading rusher. Davis is a name that will be heard throughout the season with his tremendous skills. He will be one of the guys who will contribute greatly to the teams success behind the outstanding offensive line, despite losing many players. Expectations will be high, but Davis is a player who can take them on. WR [player_tooltip player_id="131388" first="Nicholas" last="Anderson"] (2022) - 29 Receptions, 450 Receiving Yards, 5 Receiving TDs The recent Oregon commit enters his senior year as a 4-star and a true threat on the deep ball. In a run heavy offense, Anderson finds a way to stand out not only with his size at 6’4", but with his talent as well. He is a top talent in the state and will be looked at for leadership. Cannot wait to see what he does this upcoming season.   More Returning Offensive Starters to Watch: RB/FB Isaiah Smith (2022) OL Caleb Webb (2022) OL Dylan Erickson (2022)   Newcomers to Watch: OL Devin Garrison (2023)   Key Returning Defensive Starters: DB [player_tooltip player_id="60758" first="Bobby" last="Taylor"] (2022) The Texas A&M commit played a valuable role in the Tigers success defensively. Taylor’s length and anticipation makes his a top defensive back in the state and has earned him a 4-star rating. Taylor will look to continue to ball out especially for his senior season. DB Hamilton McMartin (2022) McMartin adds even more experience and skill to the already stacked secondary. Heading into his senior year as well, McMartin is another player who will draw eyes and will be looked at to provide leadership and guidance to the new starters. McMartin shows great skills in the run and pass game, and will be a player the defense can expect to make the big plays when needed. DB Arian Parish (2023) Parish enters his junior season ready for action. He showed out last year, displaying his hard hitting capabilities and ball skills at the safety position. The secondary just seems unfair with him added to the mix, and they do not disappoint. We will see how much he has grown as a player this season and how he will leave his mark with this talented core of defensive backs. DE [player_tooltip player_id="60694" first="Malick" last="Sylla"] (2022) Sylla missed the last 3 games of the season with an injury, but he is back with a vengeance. The Texas A&M Commit was a unanimous First Team All-District selection last season due to his outstanding play. Sylla is a force off of the edge and can change a game with talent. Expect him to leave it on the field for his senior year and dominate once again. LB [player_tooltip player_id="60725" first="Ty" last="Kana"] (2022) Kana mans down the middle of this defense at the linebacker position and doe san excellent job of doing so. Kana was another unanimous First Team All-District selection and was incredible on the field. The USC commit flew all over the field and do not expect any different for next season. Kana, heading into his senior season, will be looking to dominate just as he did last year and lead his team to another title. LB/DB Carson Marshall (2022) Marshall goes into his senior year ready to build on an excellent junior season. Marshall was all over the place chasing down ball carriers. The hard hitting, versatile athlete moves well in the open field and adds even more talent to an outstanding defense. Marshall is a reliable defender who coaches can expect to make plays as well.   2021-22 Schedule/ Key Games Aug. 27: vs. Clear Springs Sept. 4: vs. Cy-Woods Sept. 10: at Dickinson Sept. 16: vs. The Woodlands Sept. 23: at Seven Lakes Oct. 1: vs. Tompkins Lone lost last season for the Tigers, the winner of this matchup may hold the top spot for the district title. This game will definitely be pure excitement and will draw in major attention. Tompkins Falcons won a very close game last season, 24-19, and ultimately won the district. Oct. 8: at Mayde Creek Oct. 16: vs. Cinco Ranch Oct. 28: at Taylor Nov. 5: at Morton Ranch