Katy got everything thrown at it on Friday.

Going up against a Mayde Creek (5-5, 3-5) squad with nothing to lose, the Tigers had to withstand a barrage of aggressive play calling, unique formations, to onside kicks, fake punts and more.

But in the end, Katy made the adjustments they needed to, the Tigers made the plays they needed to and Katy clinched its fourth straight outright district title, improving to 9-1 on the year and 8-0 in district play with a 36-15 win.

“Our goal from day one was to win a district championship and not have to share it with anyone else so it was big to get that today,” said Katy senior offensive lineman Patrick McMath. To go undefeated in district is what you work for and now it’s about taking that and getting even better for playoffs.”

Mayde Creek came out and set the tone early. The Rams recovered an onside kick to start the game and drove straight down the field before scoring on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Trey Williams to David Matthews Jr. and the Rams converted their two-point opportunity to take an eight point lead. Mayde Creek got the ball back off a muffed punt and had a chance to go up two scores, but Cooper Knott made an interception in his own endzone to get the ball back for Katy. 

The Tigers responded late in the first quarter, getting on the board when Aqualis Jordan ran in a 57 yard score and after both teams went back and forth in the second quarter, Tremayne Hill ran in a 20-yard touchdown that gave Katy its first lead of the game with just two minutes remaining in the half.

“The coaches got us ready and we made adjustments going into the second half,” said senior safety Jacob Hilton. The first half, we kind of took it for granted a little bit and we paid for that. We knew that we had to go in and step up in the second half.”

Katy never let go of the lead in the second half. The Tigers added to it early in the third quarter when Tremayne Hill scored on a 26-yard touchdown run and after Mayde Creek made it a one score game on a 4-yard pass from Trey Williams to Daylin Robinson, Katy answered back with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Gunner Nelson to Jon Stephens. Jordan capped off the night with a 10-yard touchdown run to put the game out of reach.

The Tigers forced five turnovers in the game to keep the offense in good positions even when the offense wasn’t performing at its best. Hilton had two interceptions while Isaiah McMillan picked off a pass and Connor Knott also intercepted a pass. The Tigers also forced and recovered a fumble deep in their own territory that stopped what looked to be a Mayde Creek scoring drive, all very big things for a team that has struggled to create turnovers at times this year.

“It was really important for us to start being better at getting takeaways, especially heading into playoffs,” said Katy head coach Gary Joseph. “It’s great to be consistent with getting teams off the field and forcing them to punt, but the great teams will get those turnovers and set your offense up in really good field position.”

Katy will get Alief Elsik in the first round of the playoffs, 6:30 p.m. Friday at Legacy Stadium. The Tigers know this is the time of year they need to raise their game and reach a new level and they are determined to make a run.

“Once you get to this point, it doesn’t matter, every team you face is going to be a good team and you can’t take anything for granted.” Joseph said. “We have to have a great week of practice, you have to come out with fire and play your best football. I’m proud of where our kids at right now and I think they can keep getting better.”

Katy 36, Mayde Creek 15

First quarter

MC: Trey Williams 26 pass to David Matthews Jr. (Williams run) 8:08

K: Aqualis Jordan 57 run, 0:32

Second quarter

K: Tremayne Hill 20 run (Gunner Nelson pass to Israel Olotu-Judah) 2:29

Third quarter

K: Hill 26 run (Giovanni Moreno kick) 7:14

MC: Williams 4 pass to Daylin Robinson (Michael Garcia kick) 4:02

Fourth quarter

K: Nelson 35 pass to Jon Stephens (Nelson pass to Patrick McMath) 6:36

K: Jordan 10 run (Moreno kick) 4:41

Team Statistics

Individual Statistics

Rushing – Katy: Tremayne Hill, 18-192-2; Aqualis Jordan, 5-65-2; Gunner Nelson, 1-(-3); Mayde Creek: Trey Williams, 24-23; Juice Vela, 10-35;  

Passing – Katy: Gunner Nelson, 3-11-68-1-0; Israel Olotu-Judah, 0-1-0-0-0 Mayde Creek: Trey Williams, 24-45-223-2-4;

Receiving – Katy: Jon Stephens 1-35-1; Jon Stephens, 1-35; Joshua Smith, 1-8; Mayde Creek: David Matthews Jr., 6-82-1; Daylin Robinson, 8-61-1; Christian Bradford, 5-18; Stone Bankston, 2-19; AJ Ward, 1-8;