Katy completed its most dominant season in school history last year by winning the Division 2 state championship and going a perfect 16-0 in the process.  The Tigers outscored opponents 44 to 8 on average.  The last Katy team to win games by that kind of margin was the 2000 squad (40 to 8 average score) that also went 16-0 and won the Division 2 title.  As a 5A school, the Tigers are 87-12 in seasons (7) following a state championship appearance.  Katy is 55-4 since Gary Joseph took over as head coach in 2004.  Four starters (2 offense, 2 defense) and 19 lettermen return in 2008.  Talent moves up from JV and sophomore squads that combined for a 16-3-1 record last fall.

          One of the primary orders of business for Katy is finding a new quarterback with the graduation of two-year starter Bo Levi Mitchell (SMU).  Senior Parker Ray (5’11 165) and junior Mike Stojkovic (6’1 180) are competing for the role.  Ray took varsity snaps last year and also played receiver. 

          Senior RB Michael Webber (5’9 195) moves into a starting position after missing the 2007 season recovering from an injury.  Webber racked up nearly 500 yards as a sophomore on varsity two years ago, and averaged over 8 yards per carry.  Webber is a team captain.  Senior FB Chris Roberson (6’0 205) is a converted linebacker, and also doubles as the team’s deep snapper.  Roberson lettered as a junior, and is also a team captain.  Roberson’s versatility as a runner, receiver and blocker will add an extra dimension to the Tiger offense.

          Seniors Taylor Brandt (6’5 195) and Sebi Carbajal (5’9 170) are penciled in to start at receiver.  Carbajal is a converted OLB/DB with additional experience in the special teams coverage and return units.  Brandt moves up from the JV and is a high jump specialist in track.  Seniors Jessell Boseman (6’2 172) and Jonathan Bomar (5’11 170) will also rotate.  Boseman also features for Katy’s track team, and runs the 110 and 300 meter hurdle events in addition to the high jump.  Senior Bryce Callendar (6’2 205) is the new starter at tight end.

          Katy’s only two returning starters are seniors OT Cameron Travis (6’4 240, captain) and OG Aaron Poteet (5’9 250).  Senior OG Austin Sumrall (6’6 280) lettered last season.  Sumrall can also play tackle.  Senior C Jake Vaden (6’0 220) and junior OT Shep Klinke (6’5 250) move in from the sub-varsity ranks.  Senior place kicker Raul Balbuena returns after scoring over 100 points in 2007.  Balbuena also kicked in the 2006 playoffs.

          The Tigers return key experience on the defensive line.  Senior NT Elvin Tapong (6’0 235, captain) and DE Matt Wiens (6’1 205) have significant varsity experience.  Senior DE Matt Stence adds more senior experience.  Junior OLB Sam Holl and senior MLB Callen Roundtree are the only two linebackers with varsity experience.  Junior LB Jonathon Fisher (6’0 190) contributed on special teams as a sophomore.  Katy will be young, but talented and deep at the linebacker position.  The Tigers run a 3-4 base front.

          The secondary is the most experienced unit on the team outside of the defensive line.  Senior rover Andrew Harrell (5’7 160) started all 16 games as a junior.  Senior corners Zac Griffin (5’11 185) and Van Atwood (5’11 155) first moved up to varsity as sophomores in 2006.  Senior free safety Kyle Hirschfelder (5’7 160) is a returning letterman and has contributed at WR, DB and special teams.  Junior DB Will Jeffery (5’6 145 4.43) is one of the quickest players in the program.  Jeffery will also contribute in the special teams units.

          Despite the graduation turnover, the Tigers have 17 seniors penciled in for starting positions this year.  Talented juniors and sophomores will add depth to the team.  The Tigers play one of the toughest non-district schedules in the state (@ North Shore, @ The Woodlands, vs. FM Marcus in Waco, @ Beaumont West Brook, vs. Cypress Bay, Fla.), so the Tigers will be tested each week in the early going.  If Katy can emerge from that non-district gauntlet battle hardened rather than battle weary, the Tigers could be on their way to another very successful season.