Adam Carter and Katy have extra fuel heading into this season.

The players still remember how it felt last year after they lost to Cy-Fair, the feelings in the locker room, the feeling of a season cut short. 

That has motivated them all through spring ball and summer and had the Tigers fired up when they hit the field for their first fall practice of the season on Monday. Katy took the field and flew around from drill to drill, coaches and players leading and setting the example as they taught the younger players what is expected every day.

“That’s what today was about,” said senior defensive lineman Adam Carter. “We as seniors and as the first string have to set that example and that was the goal. If you are first string then every single play is full speed, that forces that same level out of everyone else because they can’t sit there and allow less of themselves. We have to set that standard and make sure everyone follows it.”

Katy brings a young team into the year this season and a senior class that is the smallest the program has had in 25 years. But the leadership that the team needed has come from all over. They used the spring to find those leaders and they have found their footing and are setting the tone early. 

“I don’t think there was a more important thing for us this spring,” said Katy head coach Gary Joseph. “Really all spring and summer it gave us a chance to sit down with those kids who were elected captains and explain what leadership is about. Part of it is leading by example and another is holding people accountable. It’s about getting everyone else to buy in, follow that example and be leaders as well. That’s the most important thing for us right now is continuing to develop that leadership.”

The Tigers put work in all summer to get ready for this moment and it has continued into the fall. The goal is to keep improving, give everything and find the consistency they will need if they want to reach their goals in district and beyond. It will take some time, but Joseph and the entire group is confident they can reach it. 

“The key for us all year is the to have that mentality and mindset that we are going to punch someone in the mouth on every play and even every snap in practice,” said senior quarterback Gunner Nelson. “If you come out here not ready it’s going to be a learning lesson really quick, so we just have to ben ready to work, ready to compete and stack those days one by one.”

The team has some special pieces on offense and defense and competition is all over the place as players vye for starting spots. The Tigers will also put themselves through a very hard non-district schedule to make sure they are ready for the season and the group is excited about what they could grow into.

“We can be one of the best defenses and the best teams in the whole state,” Carter said. “It’s just about making things click and getting guys in the right position. We want to show everyone what this team is about this year. This isn’t the same group or the same team as before, we want to be better.”