Top 25 Early Contenders high school football team preview: No. 13 Katy

No one is expecting the 2016 football team at Katy to repeat 2015. Who could?

Not a perfect 16-0 season. Not a No. 1 spot in the national rankings. Not an almost unfathomable 778-62 point differential — in the state of Texas.

Then again, this is Katy, an eight-time state champion and 21-time finalist, a program that has produced a nifty 142-11 record over the last decade. The Tigers have been to four straight state title games.

Gary Joseph, who has been at Katy 35 years, the last 12 as head coach, is certainly scratching his head trying to figure out how to replace 14 starters, including who the heck will play quarterback.

"It's going to be a challenge for sure," he said. "Last year was special. But some of these seniors will be trying to get to their third straight title. They know what it takes. They're playing for themselves and the tradition."

See the Katy Early Contenders photo shoot

And what a tradition.

The Tigers hope to continue with two key pieces to what many believe was one of the top defenses in Texas history. Katy recorded a remarkable 10 shutouts last season, including five straight in the middle of the season.

The Players
Defensive tackle Corey Bethley (6-foot-1, 270 pounds) leads the Tigers defensively. He's received 14 college offers, including Nebraska, Houston, Illinois and Baylor.

"He's a three-year starter, a great kid with a great work ethic," Joseph said. "He carries no sense of entitlement. He just makes everyone around him better."

Linebacker Breydon Boyd (6-3, 210), a Boise State commit, improved perhaps more than anyone else on the defensive side last year. "And he hasn't stopped. He just continues to work and get better."

See Corey Bethley in action

Leading the offense is actually a player on the line, 6-4, 255-pound tackle Hayden Howerton, who has committed to Rice. He started his Katy career as a defensive end, but last year was asked to move to offense. It was a great transition for everyone.

"He's one of the best leaders we've had in many years," Joseph said. "He's worked to be great. He's a physical kid with great quickness. Because he's so new to the position, his upside is huge."

Perhaps the player with most upside is sophomore running back Deondrick Glass, a first team freshman All-American last year. The 5-10, 185-pounder has a chance to be one of the best in school – and some think – state history.

Joseph warns about such hyperbole.

"He's really, really good, has great vision and speed and moves — many things come very easy to him," Joseph said. "But he also has a lot of growing up to do. He kind of got beat up last year and he needs to work harder in the weight room."

Who will be handing him the ball and handling the team's vaunted Pro-I offense?

Senior Rocky Emery, Sterling Sine and Cooper Calland along with Austin Marshall are vying for the job. As of the middle of June, no one has emerged the starter.

"We need more consistency out of that position," Joseph said. "I'm optimistic that is going to happen. But right now it's not there."

Whoever gets the job has some strong receivers to throw target, including J.C. Santana (12 college offers) and tight end Parker Eichenberger (Houston commit).

The Keys
The development at quarterback and secondary are definitely key. So is the progression of senior leadership.

The defense can't possibly be expected to give up a minuscule 3.8 points per game like last year, but Joseph likes the front seven that includes impressive defensive ends Michael Matus (6-2, 230), a junior, and senior Ryder Anderson (6-6, 230). Three starting offensive linemen back in the fold is also a major plus.

He also likes the team's promise, work ethic, and, of course, the program's tradition.

"It might be a little struggle at first," he said. "But we'll get there."