Starting with Thursday’s game against Tompkins at Legacy Stadium, Katy High’s football players will have the option of using a unique safety shield on their helmets.

The shield, created by Third Coast Shields, is attached to the facemask and designed to reduce the spread of airborne droplets, adding additional barriers for player protection in midst of a global pandemic to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

It will be the debut of Third Coast Shields’ patent-pending safety shield design. Use by the players is not mandatory, Katy ISD athletics director Debbie Decker said.

“I really respect and commend coach Gary Joseph for putting his players’ safety first,” said Dan Matsumura, founder of Third Coast Shields. “It speaks very highly of his character and of his football program over at Katy High School. And as a parent, I would hope that every other coach would follow his lead.”

The game kicks off at 6 p.m. The Tigers are ranked No. 3 in the state. The Falcons are ranked No. 14. Tickets are sold out.

The game can be watched for free through ABC13’s streaming app for live game coverage.