Katy Paetow and College Station have played just 12 combined seasons of varsity football, but they will meet in the 5A Division I state title game on Friday night.
It will be Paetow’s first ever title game appearance in its fourth year of varsity football, while College Station won a state title back in 2017 when it knocked off perennial contender Aledo.
Here is what to watch for on Friday night.
Tale of the Tape
Katy Paetow Panthers
Head Coach: B.J. Gotte: 4th season (34-13 record)
Distance from AT&T Stadium: 257 miles
2021 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 54-0 vs. Galveston Ball
Area: W 58-22 vs. Manor
Regional Semifinals: W 65-14 Cedar Park
Regional Final: W 35-12 vs. Fort Bend Hightower
State Semifinals: W 73-14 vs. Flour Bluff
Key Players and Storylines:
The Panthers have flexed their offensive might during the playoffs, averaging 57 points per game.
Running backs Jacob Brown (126 carries for 1,446 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns) and Damyrion Phillips (176 carries for 1,3336 rushing yards and 21 carries) have both carried both carried the load out of the backfield for the Panthers. Both found the end zone twice last week in the blowout semifinal win over Flour Bluff.
Paetow head coach BJ Gotte said that the one-two punch of Brown and Phillips has been key to his team’s success this year.
“Jacob and Damyrion’s ability to complement each other with their running styles has been the most impressive aspect of their on the field performance,” Gotte said. “Their support for each other and their teammates are also what make them a special group.”
And when Brown went down with an injury in mid-September and missed six games, Gotte said Phillips proved he had what it took to lead the Panthers offense on the ground.
“Having both of these backs has been instrumental to our success this year, especially when Jacob was sidelined with an injury for six weeks,” Gotte said. “Damyrion stepped up and carried the load during that time and proved he has the ability to be a primary back as well.”
When the Panthers do need to go through the air, quarterback CJ Dumas (2,032 passing yards and 28 touchdowns) has turned to Kole Wilson (42 catches for 914 yards and 14 touchdowns) often this season. Wilson had a monster game against Flour Bluff with five catches for 164 yards and two scores and earned Division I offers from Norfolk State and Lamar this week.
On the other side of the football, Alex Kilgore (106 total tackles, 23 TFLs) and Daymion Sanford (83 total tackles, 25 TFLs) have terrorized opposing offenses from their linebacker positions.
Meanwhile, College Station will have to be careful against an opportunistic Paetow secondary that has 22 interceptions on the season. Division I prospect Kentrell Webb leads the way with nine interceptions from his safety position, while Air Force commits cornerbacks Michael Jordan (2 interceptions and 8 pass defenses) and K.J. Truehill (3 interceptions and 16 pass defenses) are also threats.
College Station Cougars
Head Coach: Steve Huff: 8th season (88-18 record)
Distance from AT&T Stadium: 192 miles
2021 Playoff Results:
Bi-District: W 49-10 vs. McKinney North
Area: W 55-21 vs. Frisco Lone Star
Regional Semifinals: W 45-35 vs. Frisco Wakeland
Regional Final: W 26-21 vs. Denton Ryan
State Semifinals: W 35-28 vs. Mansfield Summit
Key Players and Storylines
There may be plenty of miles on the speedometer of College Station junior running back Marquise Collins with 312 carries on the season, but he still looks as dangerous as ever. The three-star recruit has 232 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries against Mansfield Summit last week boosting his season total to 2,627 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns.
“Marquise is an unbelievably competitive person,” College Station head coach Steve Huff said. “He absolutely loves the game and works his craft with great pride. He truly wants to be good at this game and respects what it takes to get there.”
And when Collins needs a breather, Nate Palmer (896 rushing yards and nine touchdowns) has helped keep the chains moving for the Cougars. Huff believes that the talent the Cougars have on the ground opens opportunities for them in the passing game.
“We feel you have to be able to run the ball to allow yourself to pass the ball with efficiency,” Huff said. “[Collins’] rushing ability brings that balance to our offense.”
Senior quarterback Jett Huff has done a great job of taking care of the football with just four interceptions compared to 42 touchdowns on the season, something that will be crucial against a talented Paetow secondary.
When College Station has turned to its passing game, Traylen Suel (971 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns), Dalton Carnes (748 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns) and highly recruited tight end Houston Thomas (644 receiving yards and seven touchdowns) have all made an impact for the Cougars.
Connor Lingren (74 tackles and 23 TFLs) and Korbin Johnson (62 tackles and 27 TFLs) will be a threat up front to disrupt the Paetow run game, but if it gets beyond them, linebackers Jaxson Slanker (165 total tackles) and Harrison Robinson (119 total tackles) have proven to be reliable tacklers for the Cougars this season.
Final Thoughts
Get ready for the rushing attacks on Friday night as Marquise Collins takes on the two-headed monster of Jacob Brown and Damyrion Phillips out of the Paetow backfield.
College Station has proven itself on this stage before, but don’t doubt Paetow, whose explosive offense has blown away each of the teams it has faced in the playoffs so far.
Whichever team gets its run game going on Friday night will have the inside track to victory in the 5A Division I State title game.
See all Playoff Final Scores Here: live-scores-texas-high-school-football-scoreboard
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