KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
August 23, 2023
By Natalie Cook Clark
The excitement of Katy “Friday Night Lights” starts this week. 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 and hear what the coaches want you to know.
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.
This year, all Katy ISD football teams will be playing in the 6A Division and the season kicks off this week.
All Tickets Must Be Purchased Online
Athletic tickets are no longer sold at events. All tickets must be purchased online. Season tickets and individual game tickets (both junior high and high school) are now available online.
Follow your favorite Katy ISD football team. Here’s the 2023-2024 Varsity Football Schedule. (note time change below.)
Week One Game Times Changed Due to Heat
Varsity football games being played at Rhodes Stadium have been updated to 7:30 p.m., while games at Legacy Stadium will have an 8 p.m. start time, pushing the game times back an hour at Rhodes Stadium and 45 minutes at Legacy Stadium.
These changes effect varsity to freshman teams as the District attempts to carry out games more safely.
District Adapts to Record Breaking Heat
The record breaking heat has Katy ISD strictly following their guidelines outlined for this situation.
Katy ISD Statement:
During the summer months, as well as throughout the school year, the safety of Katy ISD’s students is a priority. During hot and humid conditions, athletic coaches adhere to the District’s Athletic Handbook (Heat & Hydration Guidelines page 55) which provides specific considerations and guidelines for practice during these conditions. These guidelines are based on the heat index and include limiting the amount of time for outdoor workouts, providing regular breaks, as well as access to unlimited amounts of water. Additionally, most practices are scheduled early in the morning, to avoid the heat in the hottest part of the day and have a designated Athletic Trainer.
Clear Bags and Stadium Policies
CLEAR BAGS: To ensure visitor safety, along with quick and efficient entry into our event venues, Katy ISD allows clear bags only. View the complete KISD Clear Bag Regulations here.
METAL DETECTORS: all spectators are required to pass through metal detectors prior to entry.
Spectators will be denied admission to the facility if they do not comply with the Clear Bag Regulation or pass through the metal detectors.
Katy ISD Football Coaches Preview the Season:
Katy High School
Head Football Coach Gary Joseph
Question: What can fans expect from your football team this year?
Answer: The fans can expect to be entertained for 2.5 hours a night coming to a Tiger football game. The Band, Drill team, cheerleaders, football team, and great fans of this community are what makes Katy Special.
The Tigers will be looking to reload behind a solid offensive line, TE and FB. The skill positions QB, WR, and RB will need to mature quickly to help keep the offense productive.
The Tiger Defense returns 4 starters 2 secondary, 1 LB, and 1 DL, are working to find starters and quality back-ups at each position.
Question: What are you most excited about for this season?
Answer: The opportunity to try and defend our District championship, and make a great playoff run in year 125 of Katy High School.
Taylor High School
Head Football Coach Chad Simmons
Question: What can fans expect from your football team this year?
Answer: A disciplined team that plays together, as well as improved team speed. A balanced, explosive offense and a technically sound, aggressive defense.
Outstanding special teams play.
Question: What are you most excited about for this season?
Answer: Seeing a group of guys that have grown and improved together have great success on and off the field.
Mayde Creek High School
Head Football Coach J. Jensen
Question: What can fans expect from your football team this year?
Answer: Fans can expect the Mayde Creek Rams to be improved in all phases of the game. We have worked hard through off-season, spring ball, and summer workouts while establishing great player led leadership! We return 15 starters from last year's team. These players gained valuable experience and know what it takes week in and week out in 19-6A. We are bigger on both sides of the line than we were last year as well. We return 3 starting offensive linemen, 2 running backs, our QB, and 3 wide receivers that saw significant playing time last season. Defensively, we return 1 starter on the DL, 3 Linebackers, and 2 starters in the secondary. We are excited about the new Varsity players as well!
Question: What are you most excited about for this season?
Answer: I am most excited to see how much we've grown as a program over the last year. We have made huge strides in leadership, discipline, focus, drive, and poise. I can't wait to see these Rams in high pressure situations. We have played a lot of young players the last few years, and we are growing up! The Rams are here to compete in 19-6A and have put in the work to do it! We are looking to make a playoff push and put Mayde Creek Football back on the map!
Cinco Ranch High School
Head Football Coach Chris Dudley
Question: What can fans expect from your football team this year?
Answer: We plan on building on our success of the last two years. The 20+ returners on the varsity combined with JV players that had a combined record of 16-4 last year have us excited. We aim to play disciplined, high effort, smart football and continue to elevate the program to new heights on and off the field.
Question: What are you most excited about for this season?
Answer: I am excited about our players becoming the best version of themselves they can be on and off the field. We want them to squeeze every ounce out of their academic and athletic talents and also serve others in our school and community. It will be great seeing the pageantry of high school football this fall again. We compete against each other in KISD in the best football district in the state of Texas.
Morton Ranch High School
Head Football Coach Ron Counter
Question: What can fans expect from your football team this year?
Answer: Fans can expect exciting games all season long from the Mavericks and a football team that is going to play hard for all 4 quarters.
Question: What are you most excited about for this season?
Answer: Ready to see on how the team builds on the foundation of last year’s playoffs and what heights this year's senior class can take the team to.
Seven Lakes High School
Head Football Coach Jimmy Hamon
Question: What can fans expect from your football team this year?
Answer: Fans can expect a team who is disciplined, plays within themselves, and never gives up. On offense you will see a ball control offense who prides themselves on running the football and a defense who is gap sound and tries to limit explosive plays.
Question: What are you most excited about for this season?
Answer: I am most excited to see how our relatively young roster plays in 19-6A. We will have many new starters on both offense and defense and they have yet to prove themselves at the varsity level. I am excited to see who steps up as a leader on this team and how they will handle adversity.
Tompkins High School
Head Football Coach Todd McVey
Question: What can fans expect from your football team this year?
Answer: Great effort and playing for their brothers, the school, and community.
Question: What are you most excited about for this season?
Answer: Watching the team get 1% better each week, each practice and each play.
Paetow High School
Head Football Coach David Hicks
Question: What can fans expect from your football team this year?
Answer: A hard-working disciplined football team that will represent the Paetow High School community to the high standards of high effort, positive attitude, and grit.
Question: What are you most excited about for this season?
Answer: I am most excited to see how we do this season. We have implemented a new scheme, principals, and new look. I am excited to see the kids enormous effort show on the field.
Jordan High School
Head Football Coach Mike Rabe
Question: What can fans expect from your football team this year?
Answer: Our fans can expect to see an explosive offense that spreads the ball around to a bunch of talented athletes. The offense will be able to execute at a high level after being in the system for three years.
Question: What are you most excited about for this season?
Answer: I am most excited about watching this team improve each week. We have a good mix of returners and first year varsity players which should lead to rapid improvement throughout the season. Our offseason program was great as well; I expect the growth from offseason to be evident in our performance.
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