Katy has always been led by its play up front.

The Tigers preach about offensive and defensive line play, the team’s success over the decades has often started with those players and every coach and fan knows how important the big men are to everything Katy does.

Coming into this year there were question marks on both sides of the line. The defensive line had only one returner, with two sophomore starters and would need time to grow and the offensive line needed time to gel as well as Katy’s run game wasn’t as potent as it was in years past straight out the gate of the season.

But two weeks into the District 19-6A season, those questions have started to be answered. On offense the Tigers started district with an offensive clinic against Morton Ranch, scoring 47 points and then followed it up with an even better performance as Katy had over 500 yards of offense in a 52 point performance against Cinco Ranch.

“Those guys on the offensive line have taken a step forward the past two weeks and it has a lot to do with facing two really good teams early on,” said katy head coach Gary Joseph. “We had to give them time to grow up and you can see now a month into things how they’re starting to understand it. Our line, our tight ends, they’re growing and getting better and hopefully we can continue to get better as well.”

The defensive line has taken just as many steps early in district play as well. Over two weeks in district, the Tigers have allowed just two scores, and both have come in the second half with some backups in.

“We’ve gotten better up front on defense and that’s been extremely important,” Joseph said. “Our whole front seven has gotten better and our secondary is going to continue to get better as well. But to see the young guys up front keep getting better has been great for us. We’re counting on them and the great thing is that we still have things to work on tomorrow. Everyone can get better.”

Against Cinco Ranch in particular, the Tigers lived in the Cougars backfield. Senior defensive lineman Adam Carter had multiple tackles for loss and hurried the quarterback all night, while Cinco Ranch had just 36 yards on the ground as Katy completely shut down the run game.

Carter has been the leader on a young defensive line that features two sophomores along with Carter and he has taken Isaac Cougran, Terry Brister and Liam Leonard under his wing and both have started to blossom, making plays all across the field.

“It’s different because last year I was playing with two seniors on the line and this year I’m the only one,” Carter said. “It’s good to play with someone young because they’re new to this and they push you in a different way. It’s been fun because of that. I get to teach these guys what I know, they come to me asking questions and it makes me think about the game differently. We all build together, and I think we’re just going to keep getting better.”

But while both sides have gotten better, they also know there is work to do to reach their ultimate goal. The lines still have plenty of room to grow and if Katy wants to win district and make another deep run then everyone will be counting on the big men up front to continue raising their game.

“The earmark of our team over the years has always been as the year goes on we continue to get better,” Joseph said. “I’m looking forward to continue doing that this year.”