All-Time Matchup Monday: 2015 Katy vs. 2013 Allen

KatyAllenMain3Editor’s Note: Every Monday during the offseason, we’ll bring you our new running series, All-Time Matchup Monday, where we’ll pit two of the greatest teams in Texas high school football history against each other, throw a few theories around on who might come out on top, and then we’ll ask you to settle the debate for us. You can also nominate all-time teams and games. Just tweet @dctf with the hashtag #MatchupMonday with your nominations. Week 1:2000 Midland Lee vs. 1996 Austin WestlakeFan vote results: 2000 Midland Lee Week 2:1970 Austin Reagan vs. 1973 John TylerFan vote results: 1973 John Tyler Why Katy would win Katy is arguably the state’s premier program. That is saying something in a talent- and history-rich high school football state like Texas. The Tigers claimed their eighth championship in a historic 2015 season. Head coach Gary Joseph’s program fell one game short of the crown in 2013 and 2014 – both losses to Cedar Hill. Katy finished 2015 with an exclamation point, beating Lake Travis in the Class 6A Division II State Championship Game. The 34-7 win was a perfect illustration of Katy’s dominance, at the end of what sure looked like their finest season. The Tigers’ formula is no secret. Katy plays smash-mouth football on both sides of the ball. In an era of up-tempo offenses that put up video game numbers, the Tigers are a throwback. Sure, the offense was capable of scoring due to running back Kyle Porter, who signed with Texas this spring, and quarterback Garrett Doiron, who completed over 65 percent of his passes. This team will be remembered for defensive dominance, however. Katy gave up 62 points all season. ALL SEASON. The Tigers went 16-0, allowing fewer than four points per game in Class 6A in 2016. That stat alone makes this team worthy of all-time discussion. Five senior defenders from that squad signed with FBS schools. Linebacker Paddy Fisher was the most valuable defensive player in the state and signed with Northwestern. Why Allen would win Kyler Murray was a ballet of offensive brilliance as a quarterback at Allen High School. He went undefeated as a starting quarterback, winning three-straight state championships before signing with Texas A&M. All three of those Allen teams were unbeatable in the biggest classification in Texas, but it was the 2013 team that will stand the test of time. Murray was a junior that season. His personal accomplishments and talents will forever be the main headlines from those teams, but that sells the Eagles program short. Those teams were littered with talent on both sides of the ball. The defense alone sent four seniors to FBS schools that year. Linebackers Christian Sam and Tay Evans were the best duo in the state. Defensive backs Chad Adams and Mayomi Olootu Jr. helped patrol the secondary with the help of some younger players who would blossom into major prospects in future years. Bobby Evans and Cody Wheeler anchored the offensive line as juniors and wide receiver Jalen Guyton was a perfect target for Murray. A seven-point win over DeSoto was the only game that Allen didn’t win by at least 19 points. In 2013, Allen beat Southlake Carroll and Cedar Hill in non-district games to start the season. Cedar Hill went on to beat Katy in the Division II title game later in the season. The offense never scored under 31 points in a game all season. Allen scored 314 points in six playoffs games, including 63 in the championship game against Pearland in front of the largest high school football crowd of all-time. [poll id="32"] Craven’s Pick: Katy Defense wins championships and Katy’s 2015 team posted one of the most impressive defensive seasons in Texas high school football history. It would be impressive to hold teams to fewer than four points a game in 1970 when opponents ran the veer 90 percent of the time. To limit offenses in 2016 to those kinds of numbers in Class 6A is silly. Murray would put up points, but not enough. Greg Tepper's Pick: Katy Not even Kyler Murray can break through one of the state's most legendary defenses. Max Thompson's Pick: Katy The 2015 team was hands down the best high school football team I've ever watched. The speed on defense was staggering, and it made extremely talented Manvel, Steele and Lake Travis teams look hapless. Fan vote: Will be announced next Monday.