Top 26 storylines for 2016: No. 10 — Katy's changing challenge

[caption id="attachment_24927" align="aligncenter" width="5000"]Katy Wide Photo by Diana Porter[/caption] Someday in the not-too-distant future, the powers-that-be will erect some sort of commemoration for the 2015 Katy Tigers. After all, that team will go down in Texas high school football lore as one of the most dominant in state history. Take any measure you want, and the numbers are silly. Here’s one: the 2015 Class 6A Division II state champions allowed 62 points all season — an average of 3.8 points per game across their 16 contests. The next-lowest total of points allowed in Class 6A: The Woodlands, who allowed 102 points…in four fewer games. In fact, only one team in the entire state allowed fewer points — 3A Post, which allowed 59 points in 12 games. That alone would’ve put Katy in rarefied air, but when you add in Class 6A’s third-highest scoring offense — 48.6 points per game — you have something truly legendary. But while Katy figures out how to best honor one of the state’s most unforgettable teams, the 2016 Tigers have their focus on something else: another state championship. Another title would bring the program’s count to 9, the most in state history. But it won’t come easy, for two very distinct reasons. 1: A Changing Roster The Tigers were a rather senior-laden squad last season, meaning that the 2016 team features a lot of new faces. Gone are star running back Kyle Porter, longtime quarterback Garrett Doiron and a whole host of dominating defenders, including Collin Wilder, Travis Whillock and Paddy Fisher. In sum, the Tigers return just eight starters from last year’s squad, though the cupboard is unsurprisingly far from bare. Defensive ends Corey Bethley and Michael Matus represent two of Houston’s best, and the offense has a new go-to guy in standout sophomore running back Deondrick Glass. Still, if continuity breeds success, coach Gary Joseph’s squad will need to succeed in spite of it. 2: The Division I Challenge At first glance, UIL realignment had little effect on the Tigers — District 19-6A in this alignment is identical to District 19-6A in the previous alignment. But look closer, and you’ll see one glaring — and potentially game-changing — difference: Katy’s enrollment has swelled to 3,297, making it the second-largest school in District 19-6A. What’s that mean? Katy is definitely going to the Division I playoff bracket — the so-called “big school” bracket. Since the largest classification split into two divisions in 1990, Katy has played in a staggering 13 state championship games, notching a 7-6 record in those contests. But only twice have the Tigers played in the Division I bracket — a 1994 loss to Plano, and a 1997 win over Longview. The other 11 title game appearances — and six of their eight championships — have come in the Division II bracket. And the Division I game has changed significantly since 1997: the rise of powerhouses like Allen, Galena Park North Shore and a bevy of San Antonio-area giants has made the DI bracket even more treacherous. The 2016 season for Katy is off to an uncharacteristically slow start, with the Tigers dropping their opener at Austin Westlake last week. History has shown that you doubt Katy at your own peril. But can one of the state’s most prolific powerhouses navigate the shifting sands in which it stands?