Katy-Tompkins Matchup Highlights Weekend Football Action

By George Slaughter

Katy News photo

Going into last season’s game against Katy, Tompkins players and fans wore t-shirts that proclaimed, “A New Shade of Red.” It was, they surely hoped, the sign of a new power rising in District 19-6A.

The Falcons had earned the right to be confident. Last season, they enjoyed their first-ever winning record and playoff berth. By any measure, it was an exciting, memorable season at Tompkins.

But in last year’s Katy game, the Falcons ran into the old, more familiar shade of red. Last year’s final score: Katy 66, Tompkins 13.

The teams meet again at 6 p.m. Thursday at Legacy Stadium. The Falcons have won all but two games since last year’s game. Katy, meanwhile, has lost only once. All those losses were last season.

Both teams enter Thursday’s matchup with undefeated records. Tompkins is 5-0 overall and 1-0 in district after defeating Seven Lakes, 63-27, in the district opener for both those teams. The Falcons are led on offense by running backs R.J. Smith, who has 59 carries for 544 yards and a 9.22 yards-per-carry average, and Marquis Shoulders, who has 42 carries for 504 yards and a 12 yards-per-carry average.

Smith has scored 12 touchdowns while Shoulders has scored eight this season.

Tompkins’s aerial attack is also formidable, led by quarterback Jalen Milroe who has 43 completions in 58 for 961 yards and 12 touchdowns against zero interceptions.

This is the district opener for Katy, which is coming off a bye week. The Tigers also feature a strong offensive attack. It features running back Ron Hoff, who has 70 carries for 439 yards and a 6.27 yards-per-carry average. Quarterback Bronson McClelland has completed 37 of 56 passes for 614 yards and six touchdowns against only two interceptions.

All KISD schools but Mayde Creek, which has an open date, will be in action this week. Here’s a preview of the other games.

Seven Lakes Spartans vs. Taylor Mustangs

The Spartans play the Mustangs at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Legacy Stadium.

The Spartans are 3-2 overall, 0-1 in district, and coming off that tough loss to Tompkins. The Mustangs are also 3-2, 1-0 in district, and coming off a 31-28 win over Morton Ranch.

Morton Ranch Mavericks vs. Cinco Ranch Cougars

The Mavericks play the Cougars at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Rhodes Stadium.

The Mavericks are 3-2 overall, 0-1 in district, and coming off a 31-28 loss to Taylor. The Cougars are 0-5 overall, 0-1 in district, and coming off a 40-14 loss to Mayde Creek.

Paetow Panthers vs. Lake Creek Lions

The Panthers play the Lions at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Montgomery ISD Stadium.

The Panthers are 4-0 overall, 1-0 in District 10-5A, and coming off a 70-6 win over Cleveland. The Lions are 2-2 overall, 0-1 in District 10-5A, and coming off a 45-18 loss to Lamar Consolidated.