The Tigers have a quick turnaround this week to play a Paetow Panthers team that has managed to find consistency this season on the way to a 6-1 record so far. Paetow has counted on a tough defense and an offense based around keeping things simple on the ground. That’s a familiar formula. The Panthers’ only loss so far came in a 26-14 defeat to Langham Creek in the first game of the season. Paetow has nailed down a playoff position thanks to wins over Tompkins, Cinco, Mayde Creek, Morton Ranch, and Seven Lakes. They are projecting Division 1 with Katy (Jordan and Tompkins Div 2), so this game very likely will determine playoff seeding. Given they are currently undefeated in district, this is for a district championship. Here’s what we can expect from Paetow.
How Katy got here
Against Jordan, we saw Katy struggle to put the game away after earning a 17-0 lead in the second quarter. Paetow easily has the next best defense in the district statistically and based on the eye test talent wise. I think this will be an opportunity for the Katy offense to show it can play effectively against a strong physical match-up. Against Jordan, Katy had two second half turnovers that were particularly costly in not totally settling the game sooner. Paetow has some really gifted athletes on defense who will challenge Katy’s ability to execute up front blocking wise and to separate from coverage downfield. In the Paetow games I’ve watched, #0 Mello Brooks and #9 Nick Elko impressed me especially. These guys are very comparable to Jordan defensively.
What makes the Panthers different
Paetow’s offense is centered around the running game led by #25 Terrance Johnson and #7 Curtis Zeno will rotate in as well. Zeno looks like a promising talent as a sophomore. On the perimeter, they’ve got some tall guys who are match-up problems down the field when senior QB Jackson Farrar dials them up. Senior #6 Ikenna Nwobu is one Katy will have underlined this week in preparation. Nwobu is 6’4, 215. The consistency of the running game has allowed the Panthers to take advantage of everything their defense has given them this season.
They’ve had a tough introduction to Class 6A and obviously with Coach Gotte having gone to Pearland, but coach Hicks appears to have this year’s team playing together and they’ve enjoyed the fruits of their labor on the field. I’m happy to see success in Katy ISD and competitively speaking the Tigers definitely need the iron sharpening iron given what it takes to succeed on a state level.
What to look for
Overall, I love this kind of challenge right after Jordan. These are the games that will help prepare a team for the playoffs and the physical quality we will see there. Katy might have a little different look on offense this week depending on whether Hill is able to recover in time after exiting the Jordan game in the second half. It might be the Quay Jordan and Fayo George show on the ground alongside Gunner and the passing game. Regardless, this is a chance for Katy to get back on the field and try to get some swagger back against a quality opponent. This absolutely will be a physical test across the board. Paetow has taken care of everything it needed to to secure a playoff spot already, so I expect a confident and loose team lined up opposite the Tigers this week.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a game where Katy’s under 30 points again, but I feel really good about the level we saw from the defense against Jordan and their ability to put the offense in good positions to create a winning advantage. Katy’s ability to execute under fire will be tested again, and I look forward to the response.
