Katy’s backfield has found its rhythm lately.

The Tigers have had to shuffle things in the backfield this year as they dealt with injuries but as the season has gone along the position has become more and more solidified.

The constant was always Chase Johnsey. A three year letterman, the fullback has taken it on himself to help lead the group that has had new players step up into the running back role. Johnsey leads by example as well, selflessly blocking and opening up space for the back behind him.

Behind him, it’s been Tremayne Hill who has stepped to the forefront and showed his worth since injuries hit the position. It took time but the sophomore has completely settled in and grown as district has gone along.

That growth and the strength of the backfield was on full display on Thursday, with the duo of Hill and Johnsey combining for four touchdowns and over 200 yards rushing, leading the Tigers to a 42-13 win over Cinco Ranch (5-4, 4-3) with Katy improving to 7-1 and 6-0 in District 19-6A play on the year.

“It’s a whole team effort,” Hill said. “The guys up front gave us some big holes tonight and then Chase always leads me right into the hole and gives me great blocks. I just have gotten more comfortable and better about hitting the hole and trying to get as many yards as I can. It’s been so fun learning with these guys.”

Hill would finish the game with 170 yards rushing while Johnsey came away with 54, but it was Cinco that jumped ahead early. The Cougars stopped Katy on its opening drive and then Superior Hill made a huge play, blocking a field goal attempt before grabbing the loose ball and returning it 75 yards for a touchdown to put Cinco ahead.

After the slow start, Katy bounced back in the second quarter. The Tigers took their first lead of the game early in the quarter on a Johnsey 38-yard run before doubling their lead on the teams next drive with Hill running in an 11-yard touchdown. Katy got the ball back late in the half and put a stamp on the lead by getting another touchdown on a 19-yard pass from Nelson to Israel Olotu-Judah, as Katy led 21-6 going into the half.

“Chase is such a big part in what we do on offense and what’s special about him is how unselfish he is,” said Katy head coach Gary Joseph. “Both he and his brother are good high school football players and I’m thankful they’re on our side because you don’t have to convince them to work hard. That’s part of their DNA and it’s neat to have twin brothers that both embody that.”

Katy came out and kept doing the same thing in the second half. The Tigers drove down the field on the opening drive of the half and got into the endzone on a 38-yard pass from Nelson to Olotu-Judah and added to it at the end of the quarter when Johnsey scored on a run from 2-yards out.

Cinco got its first offensive score in the fourth quarter, when Davis Roup threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Gavin Beavers, but Katy came right back with the answer, scoring just a minute later on a Hill 4-yard run, and the Tigers held the lead the rest of the way to increase the team’s district win streak to 23 games.

“The whole reason for our growth as an offense is because of practice,” Johnsey said. “That’s what it comes down to and we’ve worked hard every day to get here. We came together as a team and had a goal to get better week by week. I’m glad it’s paying off.”

The Katy defense was a huge part of the win as well and held Cinco to under 200 yards of total offense. Katy will play Seven Lakes next before closing out the year against Taylor.

“We knew that we had to start reestablishing ourselves up front on defense and the guys did that well today,” Joseph said. “We’re finally getting back healthy there and that’s helped us immensely. Our linebackers at the beginning of the year were trying so hard to do everything and now they’re settling in and doing their jobs. We did a better job of tackling tonight and overall it was a really good performance by those guys up front.”

Katy 42, Cinco Ranch 13

First quarter

CR: Superior Hill 75 field goal block return, 1:52

Second quarter

K: Chase Johnsey 38 (Hunter Ondrush kick) 11:16

K: Tremayne Hill 11 run (Ondrush kick) 6:21

K: Gunner Nelson 19 pass to Israel Olotu-Judah (Ondrush kick) 0:23

Third quarter

K: Nelson 38 pass to Israel Olotu0Judah (Ondrush kick) 8:42

K: Johnsey 2 run (Ondrush kick) 0:47

Fourth quarter

CR: Davis Roup 4 pass to Gavin Beavers (Noah Machart kick) 9:06

K: Hill 4 run (Ondrush kick) 7:45

Team stats

Individual Statistics

Rushing – Katy: Tremayne Hill, 28-170-2; Chase Johnsey, 4-54-2; Gunner Nelson, 1-9; Cinco Ranch: Marcus Gadlin, 4-44; Tessiah Young, 8-15; Taytum Johnson, 1-1; Davis Roup, 5-(-48);

Passing – Katy: Gunner Nelson, 10-14-145-2-0; Cinco Ranch: Davis Roup, 17-23-171-1-0;

Receiving – Katy: Israel Olotu-Judah, 2-57-2; Cade McCall, 4-44; Colton Sanders, 1-29; Jon Stephens, 1-9; Luke Carter, 1-8; Tremayne Hill, 1-(-2); Cinco Ranch: Gavin Beavers, 7-65-1; Drew Tureau, 2-50; Taytum Johnson, 4-28; Matthew Courtios, 2-27; Tessiah Young, 3-1;