2003 5ADII Texas State Football Champions

Katy Rallies Past Carroll for State Title

December 21, 2003 – Lubbock Avalanche Journal

Katy coach Mike Johnston knew his team would have to control the tempo and establish the running game early to beat Southlake Carroll. Katy (15-1) did just that to become the 2003 5ADII State Champions with a 16-15 win over reigning champion Carroll (15-1) Saturday.

Katy wide receiver Chris Pedlar (82) lifts Ryan Mouton (7) after he made a touchdown reception to take the lead over Southlake Carroll with 2:30 seconds left in the fourth quarter in the Class 5A state championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2003. Katy won 16-15.

James Aston rushed 21 times for 125 yards and the Tigers ran more than three times the number of plays Southlake Carroll managed in the first half.

“That is probably the most powerful offense in the state,” Johnston said. “We had to control the tempo with our offense to keep their offense off the field.”

Aston finished with 31 carries for 163 yds. A fake to the junior, who brought his rushing total to more than 2,000 yards in this game, allowed Katy to score the winning touchdown.

Katy was behind 15-9 when Ryan Mouton’s 51-yard touchdown reception with 2:30 remaining gave Katy the lead.

“We broke them down a little,” Aston said. “They had no idea what to do with our offense.”

The win gives Katy its first title since 2000 and breaks Southlake Carroll’s 5A record 31-game winning streak.

Katy won its fourth state title, its first coming as a Class 1A school in 1959.

Carroll threatened after Katy took the lead, but Will Thompson’s interception with 1:22 to go ensured the Tiger win.

Katy trailed 15-9 after Aaron Luna scored on a 3-yard run and Chase Daniel found Kenton Gedwed for the two-point conversion at 9:12 of the fourth quarter.

“We didn’t get down after they went ahead in the fourth quarter because we knew how quickly we could score,” Aston said.

Johnston he was impressed with how his team focused after falling behind in the fourth quarter. “They showed a lot of character in this game,” Johnston said. “They didn’t get down and they stayed focused.”

Katy took its first lead in the third quarter when Paul Thornton blocked Hartley’s punt in the end zone for a safety to put the Tigers ahead 9-7.

On its first possession, Daniel found Kenton Gedwed on a 66 yard touchdown pass. Daniel was 6-of-6 in the first quarter for 119 yards.

Katy used 17 plays and more than eight minutes on its first possession but came up empty. Katy tied the score in the second quarter when Ben Johnson found Chris Pedlar on a 12-yard touchdown pass.

When the clock struck zero, the Katy Tigers had become the 2003 5ADII State Champions.