Vitals:

    Katy posted a 13-1 record in 2006, advancing to the state quarterfinals, and outscored opponents 33 to 8 along the way.  The Tigers accomplished that with a roster featuring 13 junior and sophomore starters to start the season, including a completely rebuilt offensive line in addition to a junior quarterback with no varsity experience.  A total of 22 juniors and sophomores either started or rotated in and out of the first team over the course of the season for Katy.  Those players, seven of which were first team all-district selections in 2006, are the foundation for what will be the most experienced roster Katy’s fielded since 2000. 

    Senior QB Bo Levi Mitchell (6’0 175) and senior RB Aundre Dean (6’1 202) lead a very experienced offense.  Dean, a UCLA commit, rushed for over 2,000 yards as a junior and broke a 12-year-old program single season scoring record in the process.  Dean is a classic I formation, pro-style back.  Mitchell made definite progress as a junior, and helps add the vital element of balance to the offense with his live arm and can also scramble.  The offensive line is considerably bigger and more experienced.  Seniors Eric Ball (6’3 265, Rice commit) and Nate Bryan (6’1 292) are first team all-district picks.  Senior OG James Lowrance (5’11 265) is another returning starter up front with all-district pedigree.  Junior OT Cameron Travis (6’4 275) moved up to varsity from JV as a sophomore, and is set to be a key player on varsity.  The Tigers are deep at receiver.  Seniors Brian Rowe (6’0 180), Terrance Avie (6’2 170), Joey Fuda and Ryan Doerr all have first team experience.  Bullish seniors TE Markham Stayton and FB Luis Zavala round out the returning experience on offense.

    The secondary is the most experienced area of the defense.  Three of four full-time starters are back in seniors Trent Hunter (5’10 185), Terrance Henry (5’10 165) and Terrence Frederick.  All three-earned all district honors.  Senior OLB Brad Graham (6’0 180) is a very productive player, and earned first team all-district recognition as a junior.  Senior OLB Cameren Strickler gained starting experience after converting from DB.  At MLB, Patrick Benson has the most experience along with senior Blake Adler.  Benson started last year when captain Ryan Williams was out injured and rotated in all season.  Adler is one of the best athletes in his class, and was a kick coverage specialist as a junior.  The defensive line is the only truly inexperienced area on the entire team.  However, many of the players battling for spots ended up playing last year because of injuries so the Tigers are not totally void of experience up front.  If new starters on the line step up, the defense has a chance to be just as good if not better than the 2006 unit.

    An already strong Katy team could be further boosted by the return of a few talented juniors from injury.  The kicking game should also be a strength for Katy with two returning players, senior punter Ryan Doerr and junior place-kicker Raul Balbuena.  Doerr is receiving college interest.  In all, Katy has 10 or more players in the senior class who could sign letters of intent next February and another handful in the junior class.

    The objective at Katy is to win championships, and this group is well equipped to make a run at those goals given the depth of talent and experience.  However, talent and experience are but two parts of the complicated championship equation.  Senior leadership, commitment to fundamentals and luck are a few others.  a few others.     

The Bottom Line:

2007 Schedule

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

Forecast:

Senior Experience,
Depth,
Loaded Offense,
Talented secondary

Inexperienced on DL

Win District and a favorite to reach state in D2

Top Players: