KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
December 7, 2019
By Jennifer Miko
For the first time in Taylor High School football history, the Mustangs have advanced to the quarterfinals of the UIL Football State Championships. The Mustangs face Cypress Creek in a neutral playoff game today at 2 p.m. at NRG Stadium in Houston.
When Taylor High School beat Humble last week 35-14, they moved on to the quarterfinal round in the UIL 2019 Football State Championships, Conference 6A Division 2. At 2 p.m. today, the Mustangs play the Cypress Creek Cougars (9-4) at NRG Stadium.
Coach’s Corner
Although this is only Chad Simmons’ second year as Taylor HS’s Head Football Coach, he has logged more than three decades coaching football. Before joining the Taylor program, he worked with Head Coach Don Clayton (retired) at Cinco Ranch High School - 14 years as Defensive Coordinator and four years as Secondary Coach.
Coach Simmons says it’s rewarding to see the results of the hard work put in by the Taylor HS staff and players.
“We have had tremendous support from Debbie Decker and her athletic staff, Chris Morgan and all our campus administrative staff, faculty, student body, parents, and community,” says Coach Simmons. “We believe that our program’s growth and the opportunity to play in a historic fourth-round state quarterfinal game is largely a result of that support and the family-like culture that we have here at Taylor.”
Preparing for a Rematch
Last year, the Mustangs reached the Area round of the playoffs and lost to Cypress Creek 24-14. This match-up will be the team’s opportunity to show how they’ve grown.
“This year’s team has certainly continued to improve in a consistent focus on the details during the week and recognizing that the way we approach things Monday to Friday will certainly show up under the lights on Saturday,” says Coach Simmons. “That improvement has led to us continuing to get better as a team each week.”
Mustangs’ 2019 Season
August 30 - Atascocita, 69-7 LOSS
September 5 - Cypress Springs, 28-14 WIN
September 14 - Deer Park, 65-34 WIN
September 20 - Dickinson, 49-6 LOSS
September 27 - Morton Ranch, 31-28 WIN
October 4 - Seven Lakes, 45-10 WIN
October 10 - Cinco Ranch, 57-6, WIN
October 18 - Mayde Creek, 14-10, LOSS
October 25 - Tompkins, 38-12, LOSS
November 7 - Katy, 57-0 LOSS
November 16 - Fort Bend Elkins, 51-14 WIN
November 23 - Memorial, 21-14 WIN
November 30 - Humble, 35-14 WIN
Coach Simmons says the team has basically prepared the same way for the Cypress Creek game as they have for the previous 13 weeks: “With a focus on fundamentals, the details of our scheme, as well as educating ourselves on what, how, and why each opponent does what they do.”
The winner of the Taylor vs. Cypress Creek game plays the winner of the Westlake Chaparrals (12-1) vs. Brandeis Broncos (13-0) contest which takes place at 7:30 p.m. today in the San Antonio Alamodome.
Katy Teams Reached the Playoffs
This year, four other teams from Katy made it to the playoffs. The Paetow Panthers finished the season 8-3, losing in the Bi-District playoff round of the 5A Division 2 conference against the Whitehouse Wildcats.
Mayde Creek advanced to the Area playoff round of the 6A Division 2 conference but lost to Cypress Creek 35-14. Mike Rabe’s Rams finished the season 9-3.
Two Katy teams advanced to the Regional round of playoffs in the 6A Division 1 conference. Atascocita knocked out Tompkins 42-24. The Falcons ended their impressive season 11-2.
Katy High School faced reigning State Champs North Shore who were determined to even the score from their Week 1 loss to the Tigers. The undefeated Tigers fell to North Shore 56-35.
To see the complete UIL football championship brackets, click here.