This is the 28th of The Athlete's Connection's 30 football previews in 30 days leading up to the season-opening games Thursday. Today, Chad Washington visits with the defending 5A-Division II state champions and Katy head coach Gary Joseph.

It’s almost like clockwork.

After another spectacular season and a state championship, Katy has to replace almost its entire roster. But instead of struggling to win games, the Tigers picked up where they left off and have another remarkable season.

That has been the scenario that has played out for the last five seasons at Katy, which has several people and some in the media penciling in the Tigers as a contender for a second-straight state title despite losing 60 lettermen, including star players at the quarterback and running back positions. Only six starters will return to the team in 2008, but a young group of Tigers are ready to take the challenge and keep the winning tradition going.

“The biggest thing is that we’ve got to keep improving,” Katy coach Gary Joseph said. “We had a good couple weeks of work and the kids have improved. We’re not anywhere where we need to be, but at least we know where we’re at.”

The offensive attack will be the same: a strong running game and a precise passing attack. The quarterbacking duties will go to Parker Ray, who was the backup under Bo Levi Mitchell. In a scrimmage against Strake Jesuit, Ray looked sharp with his passes and fit well into the mold of a Katy quarterback.

“It’s exciting to see where (Parker) is at,” Joseph said. “This is his first time against different competition, and with him being the man, he gained some confidence, which is a good thing.”

Running back Michael Webber will try to keep the power running game going after missing all of last season with an injury, along with fullback Chris Roberson. The Tigers might have a game-changer on offense with sophomore Ryan Jones, while the offensive line should remain strong with returners Cameron Travis and Austin Sumrall.

And like always, Katy will be a tough team to run against. Defensive linemen Elvin Tapong and Matt Wiens lead the front four, with linebackers Sam Holl and Callen Roundtree in the middle. The secondary will also have experience with returning players like defensive backs Zach Griffin and Andrew Harrell, who are good defenders.

Katy’s non-district schedule is brutal, even for the defending state champs. The Tigers will travel to The Woodlands andBeaumont West Brook and see Flower Mound Marcus in Waco in non-district play. They won’t play their first home game until Oct. 4 against Cypress Bay, Fla., an ESPNU-televised game. But Joseph’s main focus is the opener Friday at North Shore in a game featuring the Houston area’s top two football programs.

“We got a big chore ahead of us (Friday) against North Shore, and they’re a very talented football team, very well-coached,” Joseph said.

District 17-5A now includes all six Katy ISD schools, which could be good news for the Tigers, since they haven’t lost to any of their sister schools since Katy Taylor beat them in 1995. However, Cinco Ranch and Mayde Creek are emerging to be the two teams that could catch Katy off-guard, especially after the tough gauntlet that is the Tigers’ non-district schedule.

“Our kids know the challenges in front of them,” Joseph said. “They understand now that if they play their best, we can play with anybody. And that’s what we have to do, play our best.”

KATY 2008 SCHEDULE
Friday: at North Shore, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5: at The Woodlands, 7:30 p.m. (at Wood Forest Stadium)
Sept. 20: vs. Lewisville Marcus, 1 p.m. (at Waco ISD Stadium)
Sept. 27: at Beaumont West Brook, 5 p.m. (at Durley Stadium)
Oct. 4: Cypress Bay, Fla., time TBA (at Rhodes Stadium ... TV: ESPNU)

+Oct. 10: Morton Ranch, 7 p.m. (at Rhodes Stadium, as home team)

*+Oct. 17: Seven Lakes, 7 p.m. (at Rhodes Stadium, as visiting team)

+Oct. 22: Katy Taylor, 7 p.m. (at Rhodes Stadium, as home team)
+Nov. 1: Mayde Creek, 5 p.m. (at Rhodes Stadium, as visiting team)
+Nov. 7: Cinco Ranch, noon (at Rhodes Stadium, as home team ... TV: Channel 13.2)

* Homecoming
+ District 17-5A game

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