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Katy Tigers set to clash with La Porte
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| Katy's Michael Webber (26) runs for extra yards against Humble in the area playoffs on November 21st. The tigers will face off against La Porte at 1:00 p.m. this Saturday at Rice Stadium. (photo by Patric Schneider) |
By JIM CARLEY
You might think that a team that has qualified for the regional finals 12 of the last 13 years would consider this just another playoff game this week.
But not this Katy team.
The defending Class 5A Division II state champion Tigers do have one of the state’s richest traditions. But when they take on La Porte Saturday at 1 p.m. at Rice Stadium in the regional finals, they’ll be anything but complacent.
“This is a big deal for this team,” coach Gary Joseph said. “I don’t think many people thought they’d be here this year. A chance to win regionals and go to the state semifinals means a lot to this team.”
That’s largely because the Tigers had only two starters returning from last year’s 16-0 team and started out with two losses this season for the first time since 1984, when they were 1-9.
Then they failed to win the district championship for the first time since 2002, barely losing to Cinco Ranch in overtime in a major showdown at the end of the season.
But now they’re here, right back in the thick of the playoffs and playing for their 11th trip to the state semifinals.
“It is hard to believe,” Joseph admits. “I’m just thankful the kids believed in the program. We had a tough start but they kept believing in our philosophy and that got us through it.”
Katy has never played La Porte and Joseph knows the 8-4 Bulldogs are better than their record would suggest.
“They started out the season running the spread offense and have since switched to the power I,” Joseph said. “They have a 226-pound tailback named Kendrick Perkins who has had four consecutive 200-plus yard games. And they have a big 6-5 receiver named Jimmy Randle who can catch the ball.
“Offensively they can run right at you. They are similar to what we do. There’s a lot of comparison between us and them.”
Joseph says the La Porte defense is led by massive noseguard Ian Ogando (6-0, 330).
“I don’t know that never playing before is a good ting or a bad thing,” Joseph said. “It just takes a little more time to prepare for them.
“But they’re a good team and we’ll have to play our best.”
Katy vs. La Porte
When: Dec. 6, 1 p.m.
Where: Rice Stadium
Tickets: $4 – Student pre-sale, $6 – Adult pre-sale, $10 – at the gate
Details: Katy fans are asked to use the Greenbriar Lot and park on the West side of the stadium, which is also the home side. Gates will open at 11:30 a.m. All tickets are general admission and will be sold on the Katy High School campus during regular hours.
But not this Katy team.
The defending Class 5A Division II state champion Tigers do have one of the state’s richest traditions. But when they take on La Porte Saturday at 1 p.m. at Rice Stadium in the regional finals, they’ll be anything but complacent.
“This is a big deal for this team,” coach Gary Joseph said. “I don’t think many people thought they’d be here this year. A chance to win regionals and go to the state semifinals means a lot to this team.”
That’s largely because the Tigers had only two starters returning from last year’s 16-0 team and started out with two losses this season for the first time since 1984, when they were 1-9.
Then they failed to win the district championship for the first time since 2002, barely losing to Cinco Ranch in overtime in a major showdown at the end of the season.
But now they’re here, right back in the thick of the playoffs and playing for their 11th trip to the state semifinals.
“It is hard to believe,” Joseph admits. “I’m just thankful the kids believed in the program. We had a tough start but they kept believing in our philosophy and that got us through it.”
Katy has never played La Porte and Joseph knows the 8-4 Bulldogs are better than their record would suggest.
“They started out the season running the spread offense and have since switched to the power I,” Joseph said. “They have a 226-pound tailback named Kendrick Perkins who has had four consecutive 200-plus yard games. And they have a big 6-5 receiver named Jimmy Randle who can catch the ball.
“Offensively they can run right at you. They are similar to what we do. There’s a lot of comparison between us and them.”
Joseph says the La Porte defense is led by massive noseguard Ian Ogando (6-0, 330).
“I don’t know that never playing before is a good ting or a bad thing,” Joseph said. “It just takes a little more time to prepare for them.
“But they’re a good team and we’ll have to play our best.”
Katy vs. La Porte
When: Dec. 6, 1 p.m.
Where: Rice Stadium
Tickets: $4 – Student pre-sale, $6 – Adult pre-sale, $10 – at the gate
Details: Katy fans are asked to use the Greenbriar Lot and park on the West side of the stadium, which is also the home side. Gates will open at 11:30 a.m. All tickets are general admission and will be sold on the Katy High School campus during regular hours.
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