SAN ANTONIO - It wasn’t until the third quarter that the Katy Tigers showed the world what the Katy Fever was all about.

Katy became the 5A-Division II State Champions after defeating Pflugerville 28-7. 

This is the fifth state title for the Tigers and first since 2003.

“It’s just a great feeling. To work so hard for four years with all these guys. We worked so hard for it since we were freshman. We had the dream. We have the greatest coaches in the world and the greatest fans. We deserve it,” said Katy running back Aundre Dean.

After winning the coin toss, Katy’s Ryan Doerr kicked a 60-yard kickoff to start the game.

Pflugerville came out strong on the first play as Jordan Huffman caught a pass at Katy’s 37. Fullback Dylan Smith then ran for a first down to the 25. Quarterback Brandon Wilson attempted an end zone pass for the early lead, but Katy’s Terrence Henry intercepted at the 4-yard line.

Katy’s first possession led to Aundre Dean running three plays to get the first down at their 8. Bo Levi Mitchell again tossed to Dean who ran 31 yards for another first down on the Panther’s 39. Katy’s drive failed to reach the end zone and the Tigers were forced to punt.

The Panthers started on their 32 as Wilson tosses to Desmond Smith who took it seven yards for the first down. Smith then ran another 11 yards into Katy territory for the first down. On third-and-five, Katy’s linebacker Cameren Strickler tackled Wilson and forced the Panthers to punt.

With 1:16 left in the first quarter, Katy attempted to score on their second possession from their 20. Then Pflugerville’s defensive back Tremayne Willams sacked Mitchell and forced a third-and-seventeen situation as the first quarter ran out.

Pflugerville stopped Katy, forced a punt, and gained possession on their 47. On third-and-seven, Wilson handed off to Smith, who ran 50 yards for the first score of the game. The point after kick was good, giving Pflugerville a 7-0 lead. 

“We were rattled a little bit. I was yelling a little bit. But we came together and knew we were going to throw the ball, and they went and got it,” said Katy quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell.

Katy began their next possession on their 8. Dean was stopped behind the line of scrimmage on his first run but ran for four on his next. Mitchell then passed to Terrence Avie for 14 yards and the first down. Mitchell then handed off to Dean twice for nine yards then held it himself for another first down. From the Panther’s 40, Mitchell passed to Doerr, it was deflected by Pflugerville, but Doerr still came up with the completion. Dean got the first down at the 27. On third-and-eighteen on the 35, Mitchell threw an incomplete pass and Katy was forced to punt.

Pflugerville never got out of their red zone and the Panthers were forced to punt.

At fourth-and-twenty, from the 45 and with fourteen seconds left, Mitchell threw an end zone pass, it was bobbled by Katy and Pflugerville, and ended up in the hands of Brian Rowe for Katy’s first touchdown. The kick after was good to tie the game at 7.

“Just throw the ball out there and somebody will make the play. I have the four best receivers in the state. I know that for a fact. They are play makers. They are going to go out there and make the play,” said Mitchell.

“They came out at halftime very determined and did what they had to. They did a great job making the plays,” said Katy coach Gary Joseph. 

Katy began the third quarter with possession on their 21. A hand off to Dean brought the Tigers to the 34 for the first down. At just 1:30 into the quarter, Mitchell handed off to Dean, who ran 66 yards for the Tiger’s second score of the night. Doerr’s kick was good as Katy took their first lead of the game, 14-7.

Katy’s defense came alive as they stopped Pflugerville after a gain of only two yards and forced them to punt.

From Pflugerville’s 41, Mitchell tossed to Dean who pushed through to the 29. On third-and-five, Mitchell threw a 24-yard pass to Joey Fuda into the end zone for the Tiger’s third score of the night. Katy led Pflugerville 21-7.

The Tiger’s defense stayed strong, giving the Panthers a loss of two, and forced them to punt.

Mitchell, from Pflugerville’s 40, threw the long pass to Avie in the end zone for the Tiger’s fourth touchdown and 28-7 lead.

Pflugerville ran to their 30 for a first down. After giving up only 10 yards, Katy’s defense stopped the Panthers and forced them to punt.

The Tigers began the fourth quarter on their 39 at second-and-five. But they were forced to punt for the first time since the second quarter. On the punt, Pflugerville dove on the ball, it came loose and Katy’s Terrence Frederick recovered on the Panther’s 22. Unable to reach the end zone, Katy’s Doerr attempted a 31-yard field goal, but came up short.

From the 20, Pflugerville’s Greg Nwoko ran 18 yards for the Panther’s second first down of the half. At fourth-and-five, Wilson tossed to Nwoko who ran for the first down. A long pass attempt was deflected by Katy. Then a personal foul against Katy sent the Panthers to the Katy 25. At fourth-and-five, the Panthers went for it but came up short and turned the downs over to Katy.

Katy ran out the clock for the victory and rushed the field after defeating Pflugerville, 28-7.

After their toughest first half this season, Katy never lost faith in their ability.

“Our seniors told me at halftime, we are going to get it done,” said Joseph. “And I believed them.”


Katy Leaders:
Rushing: Aundre Dean-220 yards, 1 TD
Passing: Bo Levi Mitchell-7-15, 142 yards, 3 TDs
Receiving: Terrence Avie-60 yards, 1 TD

Pflugerville Leaders:
Rushing: Zaviar Gooden-85 yards, 1 TD
Passing: Brandon Wilson-5-10, 68 yards
Receiving: Jordan Huffman-42 yards
 

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