Katy ISD Bi-District Previews: Great matchups in first round of playoffs
By Tyler Tyre, Sports Editor
Posted 11/9/23
Katy ISD Bi-District Previews
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High School Football
Katy ISD Bi-District Previews: Great matchups in first round of playoffs
Dante Archie is brought down by Tompkins players during a game between Tompkins and Taylor at Legacy Stadium.
Domenic Grey | Special to the Katy Times
Posted
By Tyler Tyre, Sports Editor
Friday
Class 6A Division I
Katy (9-1) vs. Fort Bend Travis (7-3), 6:30 p.m. at Legacy Stadium
Katy comes into the playoffs hot and will try and continue that against Travis on Friday, as Katy comes into the matchup as the top seed out of Division I in District 19-6A while Travis is the bottom seed in Division I in District 20-6A. The Tigers come are riding an eight game win streak as they enter the playoffs and will try to continue what they have been doing. Katy comes off a big win over Taylor where the Tigers dominated on both sides of the ball. Katy’s run game continued to be huge in the win. Tremayne Hill had a big day, rushing for 183 yards and a score, while Romel Jordan looked as healthy as ever, rushing for 94 yards and four touchdowns. The defense was just as big, holding Taylor under 150 yards of total offense. Now Katy will have to deal with a Travis squad that has had an up and down season while making the playoffs. Travis comes into the matchup after earning a win over Bush where they had a strong day, earning a shutout in the process. Travis has averaged 25 points per game through the regular season while giving up 19 points per game. Katy’s plan will be simple, to continue to do the same things where they’ve had success and keep their winning streak going while trying to bounce back in the pass game after a couple of down weeks through the air.
Tompkins (7-3) vs. Ridge Point (8-2), 7 p.m. at Hall Stadium
Last year: Ridge Point, Tompkins 33 (OT)
Tompkins will have a rematch of their bi-district matchup last year when they play Ridge Point on Friday. Last years game was one of the best of the year in all of high school football and had both teams played exceptional football and had to go to overtime before Ridge Point won it on a failed two-point conversion attempt by Tompkins that sent Ridge Point to the area round. That game has stuck with Tompkins through the season and the players can’t wait to get back out there and have a second chance at this game. It will be a strength on strength matchup, Tompkins is led by Wyatt Young, Caleb Blocker and a strong offensive line up front, but they will go up against a Ridge Point side that has the size and athletes to be able to handle that test. Tompkins won 17-7 over Paetow last week and will look to extend what has become a six game win streak. but Ridge Point is a very strong team in its own right. The Panthers are on an eight game win streak and won the District 20-6A title while being dominant on offense and defense. Austin Carlisle has been great at quarterback for Ridge Point, throwing for 2538 yards this season with 30 touchdowns compared to just four interceptions, while adding 33 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. Westley Drummer has been the teams top rusher with 451 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Ashton Bethel-Roman and Dane Jones are a great one-two punch at receiver, with Bethel Roman having 766 yards receiving and seven touchdowns on the year while Jones has 708 yards and 12 touchdowns. Ridge Points defense has been excellent as well, and has only given up 17 points per game. It looks like it could be just as good of a matchup as it was last year with both teams looking equally strong and it is shaping up to be one of the best games of the bi-district round.
Class 6A Division II
Jordan (7-3) vs. Hightower (9-1)
Jordan will be up against Hightower in the bi-district round in the Warriors first ever playoff game in what will be a very difficult matchup but one that Warriors are embracing. Jordan comes off a last second win over Morton Ranch to clinch the playoff appearance and will be looking to continue to improve as they go against Hightower. Colin Willetts had a big game against Morton Ranch, throwing for 380 yards and five touchdowns while Andrew Marsh had eight catches for 240 yards and five touchdowns and Chad Gasper ran for 140 yards and two touchdowns. But Jordan did struggle against the Morton Ranch offense, allowing 356 yards on the ground and the Mavericks took the Warriors to the final whistle. Jordan will be looking to clean some of that up against Hightower. The Hurricanes are led by a very strong rush game to go with a good pass game. The Hightower defense has also had a great season and has only given up 14 points per game over the course of the year. Jordan is determined to make a game of it and shock some people and to do that they will have to continue to have a strong offense while the run defense will need to be improved heading into the most important game of the teams history.
Saturday
Taylor (5-5) vs. George Ranch (8-2), 2 p.m. at Mercer Stadium
Last Matchup: George Ranch 41, Taylor 15
Taylor and George Ranch will have a rematch of their game earlier this season on Saturday as the two meet in the bi-district round of the playoffs. Taylor comes off a loss to Katy and have lost two straight, but this will be a good reset week for them as they try to get back in the win column and go on a run in the playoffs. the Mustangs have weapons on the offensive side of the ball that they can use. Dante Archie and Ian Flynt have both been huge assets in the pass game while Archie is also a huge part of the run game. But the Taylor defense has been what sets them apart, as the group that includes Cyrus Reyes and Ashton Coker have limited teams all year. George Ranch ran away with it in the second half the last time these two teams have met but Taylor has grown to a much better team since that point. Deion Drinkard has been strong for George Ranch and has thrown for 1003 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 168 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. The run game is where George Ranch thrives and Jaden Shelton has had a big year, running for 1247 yards and 11 touchdowns to lead the way, while George Ranch has given up 25 points per game so far this year. Taylor will feel confident heading into the matchup and will have to pay to their strengths of running the ball and stopping the run in the game. Overall it looks like it will be a very close matchup.
Keywords
Katy ISD,
Jordan,
Katy,
Tompkins,
Taylor,
sports,
football