With two undefeated teams facing off in the playoffs, many would have expected nothing less than an all-out, competitive dogfight. But Katy’s (14-0) 35-point first half set the tone en route to a 42-0 win over Fort Bend Clements (13-1) Saturday night at Rice Stadium in the Division II Region III final.

The Tigers were on point in every aspect of the game, but defensively, they gave their offense a short field on many possessions. And, according to Katy coach Gary Joseph, this is the way the Tiger defense needs to play to ensure success.

“We challenged the kids this week to getting back to playing (defense) the way we are capable of playing,” Joseph said. “We knew we were playing against a great opponent and a well-coached football team. We needed to step it up tonight in order to have a chance.”

And the defense did that and then some. The Tigers only allowed seven first downs and held the Rangers to 169 yards of total offense, much lower than their average of about 362 yards.

It was the Tigers' fourth shutout of the season.

“We played hard-nosed football, dug deep and came away with a shutout,” Katy linebacker Brad Graham said. “I guess it was just our day.”

Katy wasted no time in this game when it came to scoring. Running back Aundre Dean got things started early with a 3-yard touchdown run. After a return by Kyle Hirschfelder to the Clements 23-yard line, Katy went to its passing game for the next score.

On third-and-eight, quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell was forced out of the pocket and found Brian Rowe from 21 yards out for a touchdown. Before the first quarter ended, it Dean scoring from 5 yards out.

The second quarter, much like the first, was Katy dominating on both sides of the ball. With 9 minutes remaining in the half, it was Trent Hunter on a 17-yard touchdown run. Before the first half ended, Mitchell ran it in from 6 yards.

Facing a 35-point deficit, the Rangers came out in the second half with what proved to be their most successful drive. Running back Chris Lenoir gained 30 yards to get the Rangers passed mid field. Quarterback Derek Carr completed a pass or two, but in the end, the Tiger defense forced the Rangers to punt the ball away.

Katy scored its final touchdown of the game with a 6-play, 66-yard drive ending with a 16-yard run by Dean near the end of the third quarter.

Katy advances to face San Antonio Madison next Saturday at the Alamodome at 1 p.m.

GAME LEADERS
Passing:
K – Bo Levi Mitchell 4-of-10, 74 yards, TD
C – Derek Carr 7-of-14, 69 yards, INT

Rushing:
K – Aundre Dean 24/186/ 3TD
C – Chris Lenoir 17/66

Receiving:
K – Aaron Henry 2/30 yards
C – Dylan Thorwaldson 1/23 yards

Interceptions:
K – Trent Hunter (1)
 

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