KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
August 23, 2021
By Natalie Cook Clark
The excitement of Katy “Friday Night Lights” starts this week, including the very first varsity football season for Jordan High School. The stadium lights and sounds of high school football will fill the Katy night air. See what Katy families need to know to enjoy the season.
The Katy Tiger Football team at their State Championship game. Photo credit: KISD
Newcomers continue to pour into Katy as the city grows and it’s time to learn about the excitement of Katy high school football. From the sounds of the band, cheers from the cheerleaders and dance team and clashing sounds of football pads—Katy loves football.
Last year’s football season looked very different. Katy ISD Coaches and players are excited about the season ahead.
“I’m looking forward to full stadiums, pep rallies, and all of the pageantry that comes with high school football,” says Cinco Ranch High School Head Football Coach Chris Dudley.
Powerhouse teams from Katy High School and Tompkins High School look forward to defending titles. Last season Tompkins High School won the District Championship while the Katy Tigers went on the win State.
“The team is most excited about the opportunity to compete again for a District championship, and making another run at State,” says Katy High School Head Football Coach Gary Joseph.
How to Buy Tickets
For the first time this year, Katy families can purchase Katy ISD athletic tickets (including football) online.
Season tickets and tickets to individual games (both junior high and high school) are now available.
Follow your favorite Katy ISD football team. Here’s the 2021-2022 Varsity Football Schedule.
Clear Bags and Stadium Policies
Katy ISD varsity home games are held at Rhodes Stadium and Legacy Stadium both in downtown Katy.
For security purposes, the District encourages spectators to not bring bags into the stadiums. If you do need a bag it must follow their guidelines. All bags are subject to inspection.
Clear, plastic, vinyl or PVC bags
Clear, plastic, one-gallon, re-sealable, Ziploc-style bags
Clutch bags approximately the size of a hand (4 1⁄2” X 6 1⁄2”)
Medically necessary items
Food and drinks are not allowed
For a full list of prohibited items and stadium policies visit their website.
Face Masks
Just like all Katy ISD campuses, face coverings remain optional at both stadiums. Face coverings are highly recommended by the CDC.
Katy stadiums will sell tickets and fill to normal capacity this year.
All schools, coaching staff, and players are ready and excited for a new season.
Cinco Ranch High School Football team preps for the season. Photo credit: KISD
Katy ISD Coaches Preview Season
Katy High School
Coach Gary Joseph- KHS Campus Athletic Coordinator and Head Football Coach
Q: What can fans expect?
A: Katy High School fans can expect a team that will represent the great traditions and culture of Katy High School with the respect that it deserves. The team will play hard with class and dignity, doing its best to defend its State title.
Q: What are your team’s strengths this season?
A: Our Katy High School football team strengths include experience at skill positions on offense (QB RB,FB, WR) and the return of an outstanding core of defensive players.
Taylor High School
Coach Chad Simmons- THS Campus Athletic Coordinator and Head Football Coach
Q: What can fans expect?
A: The Taylor High School fans can expect to see a disciplined, unified team who competes hard.
Q: What are your team’s strengths this season?
A: The Taylor High School football strengths include athlete’s increased knowledge of Off/Def systems; more explosive offensively; athletic and aggressive defense.
Mayde Creek High School
Coach J. Jensen Jr.- MCHS Campus Athletic Coordinator and Head Football Coach
Q: What can fans expect?
A: Mayde Creek High School fans can expect the Mayde Creek Rams to play with a tough, physical attack! We will fly around the field and play with emotion. We want to take advantage of our athletes on both sides of the ball.
Q: What are your team’s strengths this season?
A: Our team strength is speed! We are extremely fast on both sides of the ball. We run a scheme that allows us to take advantage of mismatches on the field. We want to put teams in a bind trying to keep up with us. We will vary inside and outside running and passing to take advantage of our athletes. We also have a great group of leaders. They are working hard to do the right things on and off the field!
Cinco Ranch High School
Coach Chris Dudley- CRHS Campus Athletic Coordinator and Head Football Coach
Q: What can fans expect?
A: Cinco Ranch High football fans can expect a team that plays together as a family. Our program motto is “I AM BECAUSE WE ARE”. Our players will compete hard and honor the game they play, our community, their families, and themselves.
Q: What are your team’s strengths this season?
A: Our Cinco Ranch High School strengths are that we have 13 starters returning from last year’s team. Some players are in their 3rd year on varsity, so we have some key experience at those spots. Overall though, it is a group that fights for one another and has a strong sense of unity toward each other.
Morton Ranch High School
Coach Ron Counter- MRHS Campus Athletic Coordinator and Head Football Coach
Q: What can fans expect?
A: Fans can expect Morton Ranch High School football to play hard and compete for four quarters.
Q: What are your team’s strengths this season?
A: The Morton Ranch High School football team is returning a number of players that played offensively on the varsity last year.
Seven Lakes High School
Coach Jimmy Hamon- SLHS Campus Athletic Coordinator and Head Football Coach
Q: What can fans expect?
A: Fans can expect our team to be prepared and disciplined every time they take the field. We pride ourselves in competing on each and every play and our fans should see relentless effort no matter what the score is.
Q: What are your team’s strengths this season?
A: Our team’s strength lies within our leadership. We have 54 seniors on this year’s roster that will lead the way. As far as football strengths are concerned, I believe we should be able to move the ball of the ground between the tackles. I have been pleased with our interior offensive lineman and our running backs so far and I think they will be a strength for us.
Tompkins High School
Coach Todd McVey- OTHS Campus Athletic Coordinator and Head football Coach
Q: What can fans expect?
A: Tompkins High School fans can expect our football team to play extremely hard during each play (High Energy) and play for each other (family).
Q: What are your team’s strengths this season?
A: The Tompkins football teams strength this season is our culture and the returning offensive line as well as the starters back from last year’s team on defense.
Paetow High School
Coach William Gotte- PHS Campus Athletic Coordinator and Head Football Coach
Q: What can fans expect?
A: Paetow High School fans can expect a group of young men who are disciplined, physical, and play for one another.
Q: What are your team’s strengths this season?
A: Our Paetow High School football team strengths include senior leadership and experience on the defensive side of the ball.
Jordan High School
Coach Mike Rabe- JHS Campus Athletic Coordinator and Head Football Coach
Q: What can fans expect?
A: Being in our second year of existence, obviously, we are young with 11 total starters from both sides of the ball being freshmen or sophomores. With that being said, fans can still expect a team that executes on both sides of the ball with a ton of effort. This coaching staff is excited to play varsity teams this year, so fans can expect to see competitive games and high-quality football.
Q: What are your team’s strengths this season?
A: The strength of the team is our defensive front. Our defensive line is tough to block with the size and speed they have the capability to play at. In addition, our entire team understands how to do their job and execute at a high level.
Chad Gasper breaks a tackle during a Jordan practice. Photo by Tyler Tyre | Katy Times
Jordan High School's First Varsity Season
This will be the first varsity season for Katy ISD’s newest high school.
“I am most excited to just watch these kids grow as football players throughout the season,” says Coach Rabe. “They have put the work in through an entire off season, so it will be fun to watch them translate that into a daily practice routine and varsity quality football games.”
It will be an exciting a new season for the Warrior coaching staff as they will be going through the preparation it requires on the weekend to win football games. Coach Rabe says that they will start working with film and breakdown opponents to create game plans.
“The players get excited about a team preparing a game plan to beat them and seeing who can go implement that game plan in high pressure situations to win a football game,” says Coach Rabe.