The Return to Tiger Stadium East
Photo courtesy of Reyna Photo.
Katy showed up to Tully Stadium in proper playoffs form to earn a 48-7 victory over the Mustangs. Katy’s physical advantage on the offensive line and swarming defense made the difference in this match-up. Katy started the game on defense and immediately held Memorial to 3 and out. The Tigers capitalized on the first offense possession through an explosive TD run by Trey Hill.
Katy showed a nice design on the touchdown by presenting pitch, but instead hitting the inside with Hill to a wide open seam. Memorial flowed hard on the pitch action to open the lane inside. Great design and execution by Katy.
David Olotu-Judah made his first of three interceptions on the next drive. Katy had to settle for a field goal in the red zone extending the lead to 10-0. DOJ made his second interception on the next Mustangs drive, but Katy was unable to move the ball on offense and punted back. The Katy defense stuffed Memorial again, but the Katy offense sputtered in response when Hill fumbled in the Memorial red area. Katy held Memorial once again to three and out, and the Mustangs tried a fake punt that Katy stopped short of a first down.
Tigers refind their footing
Hill punched in Katy’s next touchdown after a bad period for the offense to extend the lead to 17-0. After Katy’s defense again held 3 and out, Tony Manual added a first half exclamation point to run the lead out to 24-0. Following a big sack from Aferi Davies, Katy tacked on another field goal to set the half time advantage at 27-0.
Hartwell had the first series out of halftime for the Tigers, and the offense put together a great drive to push the lead to 34-0 after a tough run by Tony Manual. Katy also converted a couple of nice passes, including an explosive by Pettaway.
Olotu-Judah made his third INT next before Hill punched in another TD to extend Katy’s lead to 41-0. Hopkins had an explosive catch and run on a hitch route to help set up the score.
Memorial scored on the next series through a big catch and run by Gulledge. This is a play Katy will study a lot this week and try to improve how it defends because it is a staple of the Summer Creek offense.
Katy scored its final points of the night with some great late game runs by CJ Watts. Watts scored on a 25 yard TD run where he left Mustang defenders grabbing air.
Parting Thoughts
Overall, Katy showed classic Katy Tiger state playoffs defense in this game and didn’t give Memorial any daylight to get their ground game going. I mentioned pre-game the talismen in this Memorial offense were the running backs. Katy was able to rattle the QB and DOJ nearly had a 4th interception late that would have been a pick 6. The running game continued to produce as it has most of the season. The negatives on offense were settling for field goals where touchdowns were within reach, the fumble, and not converting enough in the passing game.
Katy must take advantage of every opportunity it has from here on with an explosive Summer Creek up next. I have been scouting Summer Creek all season and have watched 4 of their games, so I’ll have some good stuff for you soon.
