Katy Area High School Head Football Coach Spotlights

KATY MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2019

By Natalie Cook Clark

Football season has officially kicked off in Katy. Behind the young men in pads and helmets stand dedicated coaches who have guided them. They train, mentor and motivate these players to be leaders on and off the field. Meet the head football coaches of Katy.

Katy

Gary Joseph

Tigers

● Head Coach at Katy High School since 2004

State Championships (2007, 2008, 2012, 2015)

● 38 years at Katy High School

● 42 years coaching at Katy High School

College: Sam Houston State University (SHSU) and Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU)

Q: What did the team work on over the summer?

A: The Katy High School Tigers Football Team has been working on the fundamentals and understanding each assignment for all plays.

Q: Who will be the big playmakers this season?

A: Returning All District Quarterback - Bronson McClelland

Wide Receiver- Jordan Patrick

Returning all-district quarter back Wide Receiver - Steven Stiles

All District Tight End’s - Fernando Garza and Sam Dunn

Returning All District Defensive Back’s - Dalton Johnson and Hunter Washington

Returning All District Linebacker - Jaylen Phillips

Q: How do you motivate your players?

A: DO YOUR BEST! Have Fun!

Taylor

Chad Simmons

Mustangs

● 2 years - Head Coach at Taylor High School, 19 years in Katy ISD and 32 years coaching football overall

● 14 years - Defensive Coordinator at Cinco Ranch HS

● 4 years - Secondary coach at Cinco Ranch HS

● 11 years - Plano East

● College: Masters & Undergraduate – Lamar University

Q: What did the team work on over the summer?

A: Our staff has spent a great deal of time over the summer reviewing game video from the 2018 season. We have made minor adjustments to our scheme on defense and will spread the field more in an effort to become more explosive offensively. Our summer skills work and 7 on 7 competitions have helped our kids to continue to develop at all positions.

Q: Who will be the big playmakers this season?

A: Quarter Back - Dalton Burden

Running Back - Casey Shorter

Running Back - Marcus Grant

Wide Receiver - Griffin Dougherty

Running Back - CJ Tolbert

Defensive Back - Braden Hay

Defensive Back - Trevor Woods

Defensive Tackle - Jahmai Edwards

Defensive Ends - Mike Orecheneg

Q: How do you motivate your players?

A: The main things that we discuss with our players is work ethic, consistency and attention to detail. Our staff works to ingrain the concept that success in anything is an ongoing process, and that discipline through the process is key. Small daily improvements add up to significant gains over the course of a season and in life after football. We see football as a means to develop young men into good husbands, fathers and productive citizens.

Mayde Creek

Mike Rabe

RAMS

● 5 years at Mayde Creek High School

● 20 years coaching football

● Former head coach for Waco Connally High School, with reputation of turning programs around.

● College: Sam Houston State University

Q: What did the team work on over the summer? A: The Mayde Creek High School football team has been working on coming together as a team, being more consistent in all aspects of life, being committed to something greater than oneself, being dependable and holding others accountable.

Q: Who will be the big playmakers this season? A: Running Back #15 Julius Loughridge

Wide Receiver #2 Danny Huery

Defense End #24 Trejuan Holmes

Linebacker #9 Victor Holdman

Safety #3 Joseph Kinyock.

Q: How do you motivate your players? A: We talk to our players about effort and execution. If you can train yourself to give 100% in effort and execute your assignment (or job) in a flawless manner, there is no need for

motivation.

Cinco Ranch

Chris Dudley

Cougars

● 1st season at at Cinco Ranch High School

● 18 years in Katy ISD

● Former assistant head coach at Taylor High School

● 18 years coaching football

● College: Duquesne University

Q: What did the team work on over the summer? A: The Cinco Ranch High School football players have been working hard this summer on the fundamentals of their position and learning new schemes on both sides of football. They have bought into it and are making strides each and every day.

Q: Who will be the big playmakers this season?

A: Carson King – Cornerback - Senior Carlos Abascal-Tavera – Offensive Line - Senior Increase Oputa – Defensive End - Junior Isaiah Dycus – Defensive Tackle - Senior Ethan Onianwa – Offensive Line - Junior

Q: How do you motivate your players? A: We strive to be 1-0 at everything we do. Whether it’s in their personal life, school or athletics, be 1-0 and win at it. Focus on the day to day details and realize you can’t skip steps in the process of what you are trying to accomplish.

Morton Ranch

Ron Counter

Mavericks

● 3 years coaching at Morton Ranch High

● 32 years coaching football

● Former head coach at Stafford High School; led team to a district championship and 7 playoff games.

● College: Oklahoma University and

Sam Houston University (Masters)

Q: What did the team work on over the summer? A: This summer, the Morton Ranch High School football team has been working on their strength and conditioning for the upcoming football season.

Q: Who will be the big playmakers this season? A: Senior Defense Tackle - Brandon Brown (has 20 college/university offers, but has committed to Tulane University) Defense Backs (DBs) - Will Brown, Dorian Maynard and Dylan Ford

Wide Receiver Josh Gaton Running Back - Jaelon Moorehead

Q: How do you motivate your players? A: Every day, the Morton Ranch High School coaches are trying to help our athletes reach their full potential by encouraging them to give great effort on and off the field.

Seven Lakes

Jimmy Hamon

Spartans

● 2nd year at Seven Lakes High School and in Katy ISD

● 16 years coaching football

● Former coach from Ridge Point High School where he also coached baseball.

● College: Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi

Q: What did the team work on over the summer? A: Offensively the Seven Lakes High School football team has been working to be more versatile and to develop a downhill running game. We are looking at improving our pass protection and have our quarterbacks (QBs) understand our route concepts better. Defensively, we are looking to improve our pass coverage ability as well as find ways to defend the tight end/fullback (TE/FB) heavy offenses we play in district play.

Q: Who will be the big playmakers this season? A: Defensive Line - Jailynn Simon (Navy Commit) Jaymian Simon (Navy Commit) Tiago Sumbo (multiple D1 offers) Inside Linebacker – Nate Hawkins (multiple D1 Offers) Wide Receiver – Eric Johnson (Lehigh Commit) and Jayden Embra

Q: How do you motivate your players? A: As a coach you say so many things that you hope will motivate your team. This year we are really focusing on “details matter.” Last year was my first year at Seven Lakes High School, and we focused primarily on foundational items to begin to build the program. This year, I really want to focus on the details that will take us to the next level. This can be anything from the way we behave in the classroom and hallways, to our body language when speaking to adults and our teammates, to the schemes we employ on both sides of the ball on game nights. I feel that when we have a greater attention to detail, everything will fall into place, and we can be a championship caliber program that we are striving to be.

Tompkins

Todd McVey

Falcons

● 3rd season with Tompkins High School

● 22 years coaching football

● Former head coach at McKinney High School and Killeen Harker Heights High School

● College: Sul Ross State University

Q: What did the team work on over the summer? A: The Tompkins High School Football team and coaches have been working on the little things – self scouting ourselves.

Q: Who will be the big playmakers this season? A: Quarterback Jalen Milroe - UT Commit - District 19-6A New Comer of the Year

Defensive End Tunmise Adeleye - Max Prep All American, HM All State, 19-6A all district

All State Defensive Back - Colby Huerter

All State Running Back - RJ Smith coming off of a 2,000 yd. season

Wide Receiver - Taurean Muhammad

1st Team All District Free-Safety - Pryce Powell

Q: How do you motivate your players?

A: Our team is motivated by wanting to continue to improve individually, improve their craft, and continue to build our program to contend in 19-6A and also in the state.

Paetow

B.J. Gotte

Panthers

● 3 years at Paetow High School

● 12 years in Katy ISD

● 2009-11, 2012-16 - Katy High (Offensive Coord.)

● 2007-08 - Flower Mound Marcus High School (Offensive Coord.)

● 2006 - La Marque (Offense Coord.)

● 2004-05 - Deer Park

● 2002-03 - Katy High School

College: Texas Lutheran University

Q: What did the team work on over the summer? A: The Paetow High School football team has been working on every aspect of our program, from the development of the athlete physically, mentally and emotionally in Strength and Conditioning (S.A.C.) camp, to utilizing our skills sessions over the summer to grow our knowledge of schemes and fundamentals.

Q: Who will be the big playmakers this season? A: Wide Receiver (WR) - Johnathan Baker Wide Receiver (WR) and Linebacker (LB) - Alex Elko Linebacker (LB) - D.J. Mourning Running Back (RB) - Damon Bankston Running Back (RB) - Johnathan Jolly

Q: How do you motivate your players? A: Once your players know that you care about them beyond the sport, you can find various ways to motivate them on the field, in the classroom, and out in the community.

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