Katy 28, Pflugerville 7

DCTF's Travis Stewart will be blogging live from the 2007 Class 5A Division II state championship between Katy (15-0) and Pflugerville (12-3) at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Check in with Travis just before kickoff at 7 p.m. Question or comment? Send Travis an email.

Miss the 5A Div. I game? Read the recap here.Recap(9:49 p.m.)Some games are a tale of two halves - this one was a tale of about 14 seconds.Trailing 7-0 shortly before the halftime break, Katy faced a 4th-and-long from near midfield with under 20 seconds left. The Tigers had been truly dominated up to that point, and Pflugerville had just pounded Katy on both sides of the ball; to put it mildly, momentum was wearing blue and yellow.Katy opted to go for it on fourth down instead of punting - QB Bo Levi Mitchell dropped back in the pocket and chucked the ball as far downfield as he could; Pflugerville sent every man in a jersey to the ball and knocked it away ... right into the hands of Katy's Brian Rowe, who caught the easiest touchdown of his life and tied the score at 7 as the half ended.After that, it was never the same. Katy came out of the half possessed, and Aundre Dean quickly tacked on a touchdown when he blew right through the defense for a 66-yard scoring run. He had a huge whole at the line of scrimmage, but when he hit the secondary he somehow found another gear and outraced every defensive back on the field to make the score 14-7.Pflugerville quickly punted after a three-and-out, and Katy almost immediately scored again, this time on a 24-yard TD pass from Mitchell. With the score now 21-7, everyone knew the momentum was on Katy's side. The next time the Tigers got the ball back, they proved how right everyone was, as Mitchell threw his third touchdown of the game, a flawless 40-yard bomb to Terrence Avie who had little to do but run under it. The touchdown moved the score to 28-7 and effectively ended any chance of a Panther comeback. Katy controlled Pflugerville's running game through the remainder of the game before kneeling out the clock.The game was almost a perfect microcosm of the playoffs for the Tigers, who seemed to take early punches in almost every game before charging back and taking a commanding lead. RB Aundre Dean paced the squad from start to finish Saturday, gathering Offensive MVP honors and continually sending the fans into frenzies of excitement with his powerful runs and demonstrative actions.We'll never know what would've happened if that ball had not been caught for a touchdown right before the half, but it did - and now Katy, it what seemed like the span of just 14 seconds, is a state champion. Again.FINAL: Katy 28, Pflugerville 7(9:41 p.m.) Like most thought they would do all season long, the Katy Tigers have won the 5A state Div. II championship. They just dominated the second half, and I'll post a recap soon.Clock ticking away(9:34 p.m.) Plugerville just turned it over on downs after failing to convert a 4th and 5 from the 20. There's only 3:19 left on the clock and fans are already starting to head for the exits. It was a good game for the 24 minutes ... it just got away from the Panthers in the end. I'll post a recap before long.No score(9:22p.m.) Katy just missed a field goal but is still up 28-7 with just 8:47 left in the game. Pflugerville would have to pull a comeback greater than the one Madison had against Smithson Valley two weeks ago, and that was the best one I've ever seen.I don't think the Panthers have the passing attack to overcome this deficit, and even if they did, Katy's defense won't allow it.Pflugerville takes over from its own 20.Turnover(9:17 p.m.) Katy was punting after a three-and-out, but the Pflugerville returner misread the punt and had to dive to catch it - the ball squirted out, Katy jumped on it, and now the Tigers are driving from the P-Ville 22 with 10:19 left in the game.Katy tries to add onto lead(9:11 p.m.) Stopped near its own 35, Pflugerville just trotted on the punt team, and Katy starts again from its own 34. 24 seconds left in the third.28-7(9:05p.m.) Another Katy pass over the top, this time a great throw from Mitchell to WR Terrence Avie, who was in single coverage. The 40-yd bomb was perfect, and it dropped right into Avie's hands over the shoulder of the helpless defender. It's 28-7 with 3:10 left in the quarter, and the Pflugerville sideline is completely motionless. They're stunned, and I don't blame them - it seems like just a few minutes ago they were winning 7-0, with all the momentum. Funny how things change.Panther ball at its own 18, althought I'm not sure it's going to matter now.Katy with another chance(9:00 p.m.) Another big stop from Katy to force a punt, and you can feel that the air has just gone right out of Pflugerville's balloon. It's still early, but this has the feel of a storm coming. Katy has just taken over on offense from midfield with 5:10 left in the 3rd, the score still 21-7 Tigers.Katy leads 21-7(8:55 p.m.) Man, you knew it was coming. Dean started off the drive with a run that pushed the pile almost 5 yards downfield, and then Katy his a big pass right over the top for a 24-yard TD pass. Sweet playcalling, sweet execution, and a 21-7 lead. Pflugerville has to respond this time or this will get out of hand.Panthers' ball at its own 14, 6:44 left in the 3rd.Big defense(8:50 p.m.) Oh, man, did Katy ever make a stop. They smoked out three straight running plays, and they didn't just make tackles, they CRUSHED the runners. That was a huge statement.Pflugerville just punted and now the Tiger's have a chance to add to their lead; the drive starts from the Panthers' 41 yard line, 8:29 left in the 3rd, 14-7 Katy.Hereeeeeeeee's Dean(8:46 p.m.) Aundre Dean just started what might be the beginning of the now-patented Katy snowball attack, breaking off a 66-yd touchdown run just 1:36 into the second half. Dean had a huge hole to run through, but he used that incredible speed of his to out-pace the defensive backs all the way into the endzone. What a talent he is.With Katy now up 14-7, the fans are starting the KATY chant, and it's getting loud in here ... the Panthers have to respond RIGHT NOW. Pflugerville has just received the kick and will start its opening drive at its 6 yard line, 10:24 left in the quarter. I have no idea why the returner tried to return that kick ... it was almost out the back! Even the blockers were pointing for him to kneel!Second half under way(8:39 p.m.) We're at the start of the third quarter with the score tied at 7. Katy has just received the opening kick and will start its first drive of the half at its own 18. Let's see how fired up Dean and the rest of the running game is coming out of the break.Correction and halftime thoughts(8:23 p.m.) OK - just to clear things up on that last play, the intentional grounding penalty kind of threw the scoreboard operators, and they had fourth down showing when it was reallythird. The incomplete pass - the one where I referenced the safety coming over the top to force an incomplete pass - was actually an incomplete on third down, and not fourth. The resulting touchdown pass was thrown on fourth down, when I had erroneously reported it was a turnover on downs.If you're confused, trust me, so's half the press box.As for the touchdown, talk about Doug Flutie-esque - Mitchell just chucked the ball into the endzone on a fourth and long, and somehow the ball was tipped directly into a receiver's hands for a touchdown as the clock ran out. That's a huge shift in momentum for Katy, and you have to think that's going to hurt Plflugerville's psyche a bit.So with the score now tied at 7 and Katy receiving the kick to start the second half, the Panthers are in a very precarious position. If Katy comes right out and scores the ball quickly, this game could totally avalanche in the Tigers' favor and could end up being another one of those huge blowouts they've been specializing in.The Panthers' defense has been really good all game - despite the painful end to the half, they have to come out with the same intensity, or at least match Dean's so he doesn't run over them in the final 24.I'll post at the 3rd quarter kickoff.TOUCHDOWN KATY!(8:09 p.m.) The scoreboard was malfunctioning and showing 4th down when it was really third - that would explain why Katy went for it on the previous play. But since it was incomplete, THAT brought up fourth down, and now Katy went for it (for real this time) and just converted a 45 yard pass into a touchdown. The entire Pflugerville secondary converged on the ball and it was tipped right into a receiver's hands for the touchdown. Unbeleivable. That tied the score at 7, and now we're at the half. Let me get my stats together and I'll post again soon.Plugerville has one last shot(8:07 p.m.) Katy made a bad choice in my eyes and tried to convert the 4th-and-20. The safety made a great play on a long pass attempt to knock it away, and now Pflugerville gets a shot from its 45 with 8 seconds left. A silly risk to take ... I hope that doesn't come back to haunt the Tigers.Another penalty, score still 7-0 Pfl.(8:04 p.m.) Another intentional grounding brought this drive to a halt as well ... it's hard to blame Mitchell who has had a defensivelineman in his face on almost every single pass attempt. The Katy fans don't like it, but he wasn;t outside the tackles, there was no one in the area and it didn't get back to the line of scrimmage. Not much else to say.Katy now has some choices to make, as it faces a 4th and 20 from the P 45 with just 14 seconds left. Do they chuck it up and hope, or punt? Aundre Dean is furious with the coaching staff and was clearly yelling at them after the intentional grounding. Better get him calmed down in a hurry.27 seconds to score(8:02 p.m.) Katy brought the punt - the GREAT punt - back to the Pfl. 35 and will start the drive with 27 seconds left. Let's see if they can score before the half.Punt coming(8:01p.m.) Ok, Katy just forced the punt when the Tigers' linebackers converged on QB Brandon Wilson at the 1 - very close to a safety. The Panthers will be punting from their own backline ... they have to be very careful nto to cough up a safety, or worse yet, a touchdown.Katy's strategy(7:59 p.m.) 46 seconds left in the half, Pflugerville still pinned near its goalline and now facing a long 3rd down. Katy is using timeouts and clearly trying to get the ball back.Katy gets pushed back again(7:55 p.m.) Plugerville's defense is playing like its their last gameever- the linebackers suddenly heated up and have been all over Aundre Dean, and consequently Katy QB Mitchell looks too hyped up, because he's missed several wide receivers on throws that flew way too far. He needs to settle down a bit.Katy had to punt on that possession, and now Pflugerville takesover at its own 2 with 1:36 left in the half. A great punt by Katy, by the way.Panthers still ahead, 7-0, with a chance to shut out the Tigers in the first half. Wouldn't that be something!Driving(7:48 p.m.) Katy just converted a 3rd-and-3 from near midfield and is now driving into Pfl. territory with 5:35 left in the half. Panthers still lead 7-0. Dean is starting to heat up ... or Pflugerville's linebackers are getting tired.Katy starts its drive(7:39 p.m.) The Tigers have just received the kick and will start its drive from its 6 yard line - I have no idea why the returner tried to bring the ball out of the endzone, but Pflugerville was all over him in a heartbeat. The Panthers' defense is playing very well, but its about time the Tigers offense got rolling methinks.Oh my!(7:37 p.m.) We have our first score of the game, and Pflugerville now leads 7-0.RB Zaviar Gooden was on a little toss play to the outside on 3rd-and-7 when he cut it up field, broke through the defense and had the speed to beat the entire secondary into the endzone for a 50-yard touchdown run. That wasincrediblespeed.The Katy fans look a little stunned, but Katy has had to battle back in the playoffs before.Katy almost gets burned(7:33 p.m.) Katy just dodged a bullet, as QB Bo Levi Mitchell rolled out on a pass attempt to his left and was sacked from behind ... he never knew a man was there. It looked like the ball was going to pop out, but somehow the Katy QB held on to it, and the Tigers were unable to convert the resulting 3rd-and-17. Katy punted, and the Panthers start their third drive from their 46 yard line.Scorestill0-0, and we have just started the second quarter.Big defensive play(7:28 p.m.) Huge tackle for a loss by Katy - Plf. opted for a handoff-turned-toss for a sweep play, and the Tigers' linebackers devoured it on a 3rd-and-5 to force the Panthers into a punt. The punt bounced into the endzone, so it's Katy ball at its own 20. The score is still 0-0, 1:16 left in the first quarter.Dean seems to be the logical option here ... Pflugerville hasn't been able to stop him yet.Driving(7:26 p.m.) Plugerville driving from the Katy 43, 1st and 10. 3:20 in the quarter, and the Panther ground game is looking good.Pflugerville has the ball(7:21 p.m.) Katy looked really good, but then they too shot themselves in the foot with a silly intentional grounding play that effectively ended the Tigers' first drive. Pflugerville got thiiiisssss close to blocking the punt, but the Panthers will have to start their second drive from their own 19.Pflugerville looked good on offense last drive, with RB Greg Nwoko (a big boy!) doing most of the heavy lifting. The Katy linebackers looked overmatched with Nwoko's aggresive running style, but I'd bet the coaching staff will have them ready this time.Still 0-0, Pflugerville starting now from the 19. 5:58 left in the quarter.Speed(7:17 p.m.) Whoa! Katy RB Aundre Dean is faaaassstt - he just blew right through the line and all the way into Pflugervilel territory. Wow - Katy at the P 39, 7:29 in the first.Horrible turnover(7:13 p.m.) Pflugerville looked GREAT on that drive, and had a completed pass down to the goalline, but the receiver got hit as he caught it and the ball pooped out - right into Terrance Henry's hands for an interception. Pflugerville was about to go up 7-0, and now it's playing defense. Ouch.Katy ball at its own 10, 9:11 left in the quarter.First possession(7:08 p.m.) The Panthers just received and will start this game's first drive at its own 20. Let's see which of the Pflugerville RB's get the majority of the early carries.Coin flip(7:06 p.m.) Katy deferred and will be opening the game on defense. Let's do it!Teams take the field(7:02 p.m.) We've got both teams on the field, and the energy here is just incredible - This is the first game I've been here for where I can feel the band in my feet through the floor! Both teams turned out huge crowds tonight - and color-coordinated ones, too. Well done.We're going to the National Anthem now. I'll post after the captains finish the coin flip.Makeshift scoreboard(6:42 p.m.) Since we don't have the scoreboard page ready to rock yet, here's a quick update on the other games going on today:Euless Trinity 13, Converse Judson 10Lake Travis 36, Highland Park 34Canadian 40, Elysian Fields 35Munday 26, Bremond 6Pregame thoughts and observations(6:38 p.m.) The pressure's on, because I promised you something insightful last time I posted.I love Pflugerville's uniforms - the Panthers are in the all whites with dark lettering and yellow trim, and they look pretty dang sharp. Don't get me wrong, Katy's scarlet tops and white pants are pretty good, but Pflugerville is winning the Uniform Bowl.But that doesn't translate to the game much, does it? Katy has an advantage in almost every area today - the run game, led by RB Aundre Dean, is a freight train, and QB Bo Levi Mitchell is playing at a very high level in the playoffs. Defensively, the Tigers have been one of the best in 5A ... Pflugerville has an enormous task ahead of it. The Panthers have a multifaceted rushing attack, and every piece of it is going to have to be good today to score points. A lot of media outlets have already penciled Katy into the winner's spot; I'm not so sure it's that forgone of a conclusion, but I'll admit Katy is a pretty heavy favorite. Still, Pflugerville has beaten the odds since the first round of the playoffs - they've certainly got nothing to lose today.Katy had a very inspirational pre-game exercise - the whole team laid down in a giant circle as individuals stood up and talked. I'm not sure why, but for some reason it seemed appropriate, and from where I sat, the players seemed to have loved it. I've read quite a bit about Katy over the past few days, and there's no questioning the committment and intensity of this team.I'm certainly looking forward to this.90 minutes away(5:30 p.m.) Things are pretty crazy right now - I'll post something more intelligent and insightful in a few minutes. Be right back!