Katy holds on for win over Summer Creek in Regional Final

By Tyler Tyre, Sports Editor
Posted 12/4/21

“We knew we were going to get their best game,” said senior defensive end Malik Sylla. “We took a punch in the mouth and had to fight adversity but we got the win. We have to go back to practice and get to work though. What we did today, it was a good win, but we have some stuff to make up.”

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Katy holds on for win over Summer Creek in Regional Final

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It had been months since Katy was truly tested.

The Tigers had gone through district and the playoffs without playing a game that ended closely, as their closest game was a 41-24 playoff win over C.E. King.

But the Tigers knew that they would face one of their toughest tests against Summer Creek in the Class 6A-Division II Region III Final.

“We knew we were going to get their best game,” said senior defensive end Malik Sylla. “We took a punch in the mouth and had to fight adversity but we got the win. We have to go back to practice and get to work though. What we did today, it was a good win, but we have some stuff to make up.”

Katy took an early lead and dominated the first half before Summer Creek made a late charge at a comeback, but the Tigers narrowly escaped with a 34-31 victory.

The win was Katy’s closest game of the season and a game fitting of a regional final.

“They handled the adversity well, they knew that it wasn’t their best game but it was good enough to get to the semifinals,” said Katy head coach Gary Joseph. “I told them that we’ll worry about correcting some things later on, right now, we need to enjoy the win. When you get to the point where you don’t enjoy the win and don’t enjoy winning, then what are you playing for?”

It took a last second sack for Katy to come away with the victory.

Down three, Summer Creek got the ball and drove to near Katy territory with just over a minute remaining. But Katy stopped the Bulldogs on three straight plays, setting up a fourth and 15 that would decide the game.

Jahrik Jones scrambled on the fourth down and tried to make a play, but the pocket collapsed and Brockerick Johnson and Sylla took Jones down to seal the Katy victory.

“I knew the game was on the line and that we had to make a play,” Sylla said. “I just put my everything into that play and I just knew I had to make the sack. I just went in there knowing I would do it.”

Katy (14-0) took a 27-7 lead going into halftime, but all of the momentum shifted in the second half. Summer Creek (10-4) scored on its opening possession of the half on a 19-yard run from Torrie Curry and on Katy’s first play of the half Caleb Koger was intercepted by Darien Hargrove who returned it 1 5 yards for another touchdown.

From there, the teams had a crazy back and forth where they fumbled it on three straight plays. Neither team was able to score as they traded punts after that until Dallas Glass gave Katy much needed breathing room by running in a 51-yard score.

Seth Davis got Katy to that point in the first half, rushing for touchdown runs of 12, eight and 68 and ending the half with 218 yards, while Caleb Koger also threw an eight yard touchdown pass to Nic Anderson in the first half.

But Davis was held in check in the second half, finishing the day with 234 yards rushing while the Tigers only mustered 103 yards of offense in the second half.

“They got a little momentum and got a big run and that got us on our heels,” Joseph said. “We can’t turn the ball over and can’t give them good field position like we did. That’s the thing we got away from. You can’t beat yourself. But I’m proud of the kids for hanging in there. We had to fight and scratch and that’s what sometimes you have to do.”

Summer Creek trimmed the Katy lead to six with seconds remaining in the third quarter on a 6-yard run from Cory Nichols, then made it a three point game with six minutes remaining in the fourth.

Katy’s offense continued to be stymied, leading to the last minute Summer Creek drive that the Tigers stopped.

Katy’s defense spent lots of time on the field in the second half and got worn down, but Sylla and the rest of the defense were ready for the challenge.

“It’s engraved in us,” Sylla said. “Katy football is about finding that second gear, playing tough and finding a way to win. That’s what we had to do today to come out with the win.”

Katy advances to play Austin Westlake (14-0). The Chaparrals come off a 70-7 win over Vandergrift in its regional final.

The two will meet 2 p.m. Saturday at McLane Stadium in Waco.

“We’re going to enjoy this and then we are going to go and get it corrected next week in practice,” Joseph said. “We’re going to have to, we’re playing the No. 2 team in the nation. It’s going to be good, we’re going to go out and compete.”

Katy 34, Summer Creek 31

Summer Creek

7

0

21

3  

 --

 31

Katy

13

14

0

 --

 34 

First quarter

Katy: Seth Davis 12 run (Axel Robertson kick) 9:20

Katy: Davis 8 run, 3:47

Summer Creek: Jahrik Jones 10 pass to Cory Nichols (Alfonso Gonzalez kick) 0:22

Second quarter

Katy: Caleb Koger 8 pass to Nic Anderson (Robertson kick) 11:40

Katy: Davis 68 run (Robertson kick) 4:41

Third quarter

Summer Creek: Torrie Curry 19 run (Gonzalez kick) 7:47

Summer Creek: Darien Hargrove 15 interception return (Gonzalez kick) 7:35

Katy: Dallas Glass 51 run (Robertson kick kick)

Summer Creek: Cory Nichols 6 run (Gonzalez kick) 0:07

Fourth quarter

Summer Creek: Gonzalez 36 field goal, 6:08

Team stats

Summer Creek

 Katy

  First downs

 16

 13

  Yards rushing

 46-227

 29-371

  Yards passing

 146

 90

  Passes

 12-20-1-0

 5-11-1-1

  Punts

  4-33

 5-40

  Fumbles-lost

  2-1

 2-2

  Penalty-yards

  2-10

 6-53

Individual Statistics

Rushing – Katy: Seth Davis, 15-234-1; Dallas Glass, 8-82-1; Isaiah Smith, 5-61; Summer: Lloyd Avant, 20-141; Torrie Curry, 13-59-1; Cory Nichols, 7-30-1; Jahrik Jones, 6-(-3)

Passing – Katy: Caleb Koger, 5-11-90-1-1; Summer: Jahrik Jones, 12-19-146-1-0; Cory Nichols, 0-1-0-0-0

Receiving – Katy: Michael Dante, 1-54; Nic Anderson, 3-27; JR Ceyanes, 1-9; Summer: Andrew Alexander, 3-65; Cory Nichols, 5-48-1; roiyon Richardson, 4-33

Katy, Katy ISD, Summer Creek, Malik Sylla, football, high school, sports