The Brackets are Set
The brackets are set and we know Katy’s path through the region. George Ranch is the Tigers’ bi-district opponent. Memorial, and our former Katy QB Brooks Haack (2009-2011) is 90% going to be the second round opponent should Katy handle business as expected. That will be an amazing story should things play out as expected during the first weekend. This time of year, of course, nothing is taken for granted. Every week is earned from now on.
Summer Creek slotted into Katy’s half of the bracket after stunning North Shore, despite losing a head to head versus CE King, because 23-6A uses a points tie break when teams finish on the same district record. CE King, Summer Creek and North Shore all finished on 1 loss in 23-6A. Summer Creek was awarded the district championship as a result of the points tie break from beating North Shore 27-0 and that’s why they got the top seed over King despite losing to them.
As a result, Katy would face Summer Creek in the third round should the Tigers (and SC) advance. SC will be strongly favored in its first two games. King is a big favorite in the lower half of the bracket with Shadow Creek as the only potential bogey in their way of reaching the fourth round.
First Goal – 3rd Round
For Katy, I view this season the same as recent seasons. The third round is where teams must show the playoff gear in order to play beyond Thanksgiving into December. All bets are off from the second round really, as Katy saw in 2023 against Cy Fair.
Summer Creek and CE King are favored to rematch in the fourth round to see moves onto the state semis from Region 3. Games are not played on paper and Katy will have the opportunity to prove whether it has the playoff gear.
Dickinson (10-0) ended up being Katy’s best window into what it will take in the playoffs for 2025. Everything you saw in that game, Atascocita, and certain challenging moments from district are going to resurface as the tests against playoff caliber competition. Katy’s ability in space tackling and coverage wise will be challenged to the maximum level on defense. On offense, Katy’s ability to move the ball consistently and score with no lulls will be tested. Katy has to be ready to score a lot of points. Katy has seen overwhelming evidence it takes 35 points on the low end to beat the best teams this time of year.
Fundamentals are the point of emphasis at this juncture. It is amazing how fundamental the game becomes in key moments. It really comes down to all of the little things that seem like boring repetition throughout off-season and in-season practices.
Understanding Katy’s Gameplan
Katy’s entire approach depends on the defense and offense complimenting one another in addition to solidifying everything special teams wise. Not enough people appreciate the nuances of how Katy’s defense and offense are meant to work off of one another. Katy uses a more patient, methodical approach on offense that requires a top level defense. This is why you see Katy get into trouble in games where the defense gets hit for big plays, especially early, and there is an immediate early hole of 14 to 21 points.
Katy is not set up for that kind of game, and this is why it is crucial for the Tigers to be so good on defense. Katy needs to dictate the tempo of a game, and the only way to do that is with lights out defense and the offense commanding the trenches with the ground game. This is the formula Katy’s ridden to such phenomenal success. So the question is not the method. We know the method. It is about technical execution and physical qualities it takes to play against the athletes and speed.
So, the path and challenge is what it is. Katy knows it better than most. There is no hiding from anyone this time of year. The state playoffs are the ultimate meritocracy.
Let’s ride.
