What Katy Families Need to Know About High School Football Games; Coaches Preview 2025 Season
- ncookclark
- Aug 25
- 10 min read
KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
August 25, 2025
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.
All Katy ISD football teams will be playing in the 6A Division with exception of the newest school, Freeman High School who has a JV team on the 4A level.
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 2025 Varsity Football Schedule, which does include Freeman. (note times could change due to weather.)
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
Last Season Recap:
It was a good season, kids grew up a lot, but we must keep getting better to compete at a high level consistently.
Question: What can fans expect from your football team this year?
Answer: A smart tough, physical, football team.
Question: What are you most excited about for this season?
Answer: To see if our kids can play at a high level, throughout the season.
Taylor High School
Head Football Coach Chris Babin
Last Season Recap:
Taylor went 2-8 last season. 1-7 in district.
I joined the staff as the head coach in January.
Question: What can fans expect from your football team this year?
Answer: Our fans can expect to see a team that is physically stronger than last year. Our weightroom gains have been tremendous over the last eight months. Offensively, they can expect a broad range of formations based out of the shotgun. Defensively, they will see multiple fronts with far more man coverage than in previous years.
Question: What are you most excited about for this season?
Answer: I'm really looking forward to watching this team grow. We have several seniors that, I believe, have yet to reach their potential. We also will play will several lower classmen with talent and great work ethic. I look forward to watching them all become better football players as the season goes along.
Mayde Creek High School
Head Football Coach Mike Arogbonlo
Last Season Recap:
Coming into the season, few gave us a chance. We were picked to finish last in the district, written off before a single snap was played. But this team refused to let outside voices define who we are.
From day one, the focus was on hard work, dedication, and trust — in ourselves, in each other, and in what we were building. Every week was a battle, and while the scoreboard didn’t always go our way, we proved we belonged on the field with anyone. The work isn’t done — but this team showed what happens when you believe.
Question: What can fans expect from your football team this year?
Answer: Expect them to play with an edge and a chip on their shoulders. They know what it's like to be underestimated. The team likely has a renewed sense of belief and a "prove-it-again" mentality. Expect a sharper execution after leaving multiple touchdowns on the field in several games last season.
Now that we’ve made noise, opponents won’t take us lightly. Fans should expect more competitive games, but also a team that's ready for the pressure. The end goal is always STATE and we have an opportunity to advance to the post season. Once in the post season every week is win or go home.
Question: What are you most excited about for this season?
Answer: After experiencing my first full offseason with the team, I’m most looking forward to seeing how all the work we’ve put in translates on the field. The chemistry we’ve built, the grind during workouts, and the dedication these young men have shown. It's all coming together. Personally, I feel more confident going into the season now. There’s a lot of energy around this group, and I think we’re ready to prove ourselves right and continue to turn doubters into believers.
Cinco Ranch High School
Head Football Coach Chris Dudley
Last Season Recap:
Our team kept fans on the edge of their seats, with a handful of close games…some went our way and some did not. We are looking to find ways to finish this season by being more consistent.
Question: What can fans expect from your football team this year?
Answer: Cinco football will play with high effort, heart, and discipline. Our players had a great off-season and summer and are looking forward to adding their legacy to Cougar football. We are excited to represent the Cinco community on and off the field this season.
Question: What are you most excited about for this season?
Answer: It is always great to see a team mesh well and come together for a common cause. Our players are hungry to make amends for falling short of a playoff berth last year. Our captains and senior class will lead us and I’m excited to see this team develop as the season progresses.
Morton Ranch High School
Head Football Coach Nick Cavallo
Last Season Recap:
Last year we were a young team that played in several close games. We have 3 or 4 games that only a handful of plays decided the outcome, including the regular season final game which was a double overtime loss.
Question: What can fans expect from your football team this year?
Answer: This year we have several starts back on both sides of the ball and we had a full year of implementing our system top to bottom. Fan can expect to see a higher level of play and a higher level of Energy from the Mavericks in year two.
Question: What are you most excited about for this season?
Answer: We are looking forward to seeing how all the hard work that the team has put in over the last 7 to 8 months will pay off. We are ready to see how some of these sophomores and juniors now respond after having a year of Varsity football under their belts. I am also excited to see how our Captains Dennrie Hamilton, Great Obikili, Douglas Hammond, Jayceon Jenkins and Simeon Fontenont Lead this Team.
Seven Lakes High School
Head Football Coach Jimmy Hamon
Last Season Recap:
In 2024, the Seven Lakes Spartans went 4-6. We had 2 wins coming against playoff opponents (Richmond Foster and Spring Branch Memorial). We are losing 56 letterman from the 2024 season, but have 16 returning letterman. Our rushing attack was a big strength last year and we are looking forward to continuing to build upon that.
Question: What can fans expect from your football team this year?
Answer: I believe fans can expect an improved defense from last year with 5 starters returning on that side of the ball. Our pass rush should be able to get pressure on opposing QB's. On offense, our fans should expect a balanced attack. We have 6 returning starters on offense with 3 of them being on the offensive line. Fans should expect to see us rely on our ground attack to move the football which will set up shots down in the field in our passing game.
Question: What are you most excited about for this season?
Answer: There are a few things I am looking forward to this year, but I am excited to see the depth in our defensive line. We have 6 defensive lineman that should contribute to being able to limit offenses and we should be able to rotate them to keep them fresh. I am also looking forward to how our 45 seniors handle this year and how our off-season workouts will translate to success on the field.
Tompkins High School
Head Football Coach Todd McVey
Last Season Recap:
last season we ended up 6-5. Bi-District Finalist. It started off 1-3 and then it turned around. Lots of injuries, no excuse, hard, but kids stepped in and played well down the stretch to get us in the playoffs for the 7th year in a row. I am very proud of the kids and the coaches on how they responded to the adversity and got us going in the right direction.
Question: What can fans expect from your football team this year?
Answer: The fans can expect us to come to play and play especially hard for their brothers. Our goal each week is to go “1-0” daily and be where our feet are and get 1% better. (Win the day) We return 6 offensive starters along with 7 on defense. The offense will be led by Ethan Meadows (Newcomer of the year) at running back with JP Culotta and Phoenix Smith leading the way. On defense, key keys like Dominic Collaso and Leo Flett will lead the D-line, Colton Simonton at LB and Riely Jones and Blake Jenkins will be in the secondary.
Question: What are you most excited about for this season?
Answer: Just that, getting back on the field competing in one of the toughest districts in the state of Texas! Lots of talent and solid coaching. Kids have been working extremely hard since January…
Paetow High School
Head Football Coach David Hicks
Last Season Recap:
Last season was a big step forward for our program. We finished 7–4 overall and went 6–2 in a really tough District 19-6A. That’s a big improvement from where we were the year before at 2–8. We made a return to the playoffs, and I think the turning point came from our kids buying into the process showing up early, working late, and taking pride in playing Panther football. It was a year of growth, and that momentum is carrying over.
Question: What can fans expect from your football team this year?
Answer: This season, fans can expect a focused and hard-working team that plays with heart and purpose. We have a goal to "Raise the Standard." We’ve made major strides in the offseason, and our players have really embraced the hard hat culture of hard work and growth. Offensively, we’re going to be balanced and explosive—we’ll run the ball with power and move it through the air when we need to. Defensively, we’re going to fly around, play fast, and be physical at the point of attack. What you’ll see most is a group that trusts each other, communicates well, and refuses and ready to represent our school and community the right way.
Question: What are you most excited about for this season?
Answer: The 2025 Panthers are coming with a hard working mentality. The community, administration coaches, kids all have high expectations. Kids have really bought into the work” and emphasizes their strong work ethic: “nobody’s going to outwork us” Returning running back Curtis Zeno, Javon Rodriguez and wideouts Derek Stevenson and Tyler Washington. Up front, the Oline will be led by our senior captain William Thornton. Our quarterback, Cole Davlin, is new to the varsity level but has earned his spot with how he leads and prepares.
On defense, we’re going to be lead by a strong defensive line. Daryl Campbell, who’s committed to Vanderbilt, and Samuel Wright are going to make an impact up front. Our linebackers and secondary have experience, and we’re deep across the board. You’ll see a team that flies around and plays with heart every down. Linebacker leadership includes Junior Cayden Ayro and Sr. Jeffery Philon. Sr. Jaeden Spelmon who is a 3-year starter, senior captain Cordae Crist, and Junior Key’Tavien Williams are key figures in the secondary.
Jordan High School
Head Football Coach Mike Rabe
Last Season Recap:
The 2024 football season will forever be remembered as one of the most exciting and successful chapters in our program’s history. From the very first snap in August to the final whistle in November, this team played with relentless determination, heart, and a belief that they could achieve something special.
We finished the year with an outstanding 11–2 record, battling through a tough schedule and proving week after week that we belonged among the best. Our offense lit up the scoreboard, our defense stood tall in the biggest moments, and our special teams made game-changing plays when it mattered most.
Question: What can fans expect from your football team this year?
Answer: Fans can expect a fast, physical, and disciplined football team that plays with heart every snap. We’re building off last year’s historic run, bringing back hungry returners and talented new faces ready to make an impact. You’ll see a team that competes hard, embraces the big moments, and represents our school and community with pride. The standard has been set—now we’re aiming even higher.
Question: What are you most excited about for this season?
Answer: What excites me most about this upcoming season is the opportunity to see this team create its own identity. Last year’s success was incredible, but this is a new group, and they’ve been putting in the work since the moment last season ended. I’m looking forward to seeing our players step into bigger roles, develop as leaders, and push themselves beyond what they thought they were capable of.
I’m eager to watch how we respond to adversity, how we execute in big moments, and how we continue to raise the standard for our program. This team has a special mix of returning experience and fresh talent, and I believe they’re ready to show our community something special. Most of all, I’m looking forward to those Friday nights—under the lights, shoulder to shoulder with this group, representing our school with pride and passion.
Freeman High School
Head Football Coach John Robinson
Last Season Recap:
Last year was our first year of Freeman HS. We had 9th and 10th graders with a JV and Freshmen team. We had a great start to the our football program by building a foundation of hard work, competitiveness, and respect. We were .500 as a program last year and look to build on the success of last season paired with the toughness we gained in the offseason.
Question: What can fans expect from your football team this year?
Answer: This year we look forward to having a Varsity Team, but we will not be in an UIL District. So, we will play a renegade schedule playing all different sorts of opponents. We get to gain some varsity experience and use that as a measuring stick to where we are compared to the rest of the state.
Question: What are you most excited about for this season?
Answer: I look forward to the growth of the program and see how we handle a bunch of different situations. I enjoy watching the athletes competing and get better every day. Also, the importance of relationships is crucial for our future success so continuing to develop them is something that I look forward to as well.
