Katy Tigers Open Distrct Play with 30-0 Win over Cinco Ranch Cougars

By George Slaughter

Following Katy’s 30-0 victory over Cinco Ranch Friday night at Legacy Stadium, coach Gary Joseph said he was glad to see some of their nonstarters to give the starters a break. But to get to that point, it takes work.

“It’s hard work,” Joseph said. “It’s a lot of butt-chewings and stuff like that. That’s part of it. That’s what I told them. The coaches are directing you. They’re coaching you, they’re not sitting down, jumping down your throat, or anything.”

The Tigers were obviously listening, as they improve to 2-0 overall, and 1-0 in District 19-6A. The Cougars, meanwhile, fall to 1-1 overall, and 0-1 in district.

Katy’s first touchdown came on a nine-yard pass from quarterback Austin Marshall to Tyler Pullig. He was not Marshall’s intended receiver on the play, but the pass ricocheted off the intended receiver and Pullig pulled in the pass for the score. Seth Small kicked the extra point with 6:25 left in the first quarter.

Masen Rivera, a senior running back, had a 46-yard run on the drive.

After an exchange of punts, Cinco Ranch had the ball at the Katy 44, when quarterback Cam Harper threw an interception to Jianni Angulo, who returned it 60 yards for Katy’s second touchdown. Small’s extra point came with 1:19 left in the first quarter.

It was the first of four interceptions for the Cougars.

Joseph said he was disappointed with the pass protection in the first half.

“We had good field position,” Joseph said. “We just didn’t take advantage of it.”

Small added a 36-yard field goal with 6:48 in the third quarter. He added another, from 25 yards out, at the 3:54 mark.

The fourth interception set up Katy’s last touchdown. Angulo intercepted another Easterly pass and returned it to the Cougars 18-yard line. Two plays later, running back Deondrick Glass scored on a three-yard run. Small’s extra point, which came with 10:25 left in the game, gave the Tigers a 27-0 lead.

Katy defensive back Isaiah Jordan, a senior, credited his teammates on the defensive line for putting pressure on the Cougars to help set up the interceptions.

Jordan also said the players from the 2007 team encouraged the Tigers to take advantage of their opportunities in Friday’s game. It was the 10-year reunion for the team, and many former players made it to the game. It was also Katy’s homecoming game.

“They came and told us how they wished they could come back and play Cinco again,” Jordan said.

Katy defensive lineman Michael Matus, a senior, said Friday’s game was a good win for the team, but it would be “back to the drawing board” next week.

Matus also shared his impressions of the state championship team reunion Friday.

“I listened to what they said and took it to heart,” Matus said. “They’ve been through the program, they won state, there’s a reason their names are up on the board.”

Joseph planned to visit with his former players after the game.

“It was great,” Joseph said. “It was awesome. That’s a great thing about coaching, you get to see a lot of your old players.”

Small kicked a 35-yard field goal with 3:42 left to finish the scoring.

Cinco Ranch’s next game is Friday against Strake Jesuit at Rhodes Stadium. Katy’s next game is Saturday against Taylor at Legacy Stadium.