Katy defeated Tompkins 56-21 in 2021. 

Not many teams manage to tie or lead Katy during the fourth quarter of any game.

Dickinson was the only one to accomplish the feat during the 2021 regular season, a 28-21 Katy win. Eventual champion Austin Westlake had the state semifinal put away by the fourth quarter against the Tigers.

Atascocita was tied as late as the 1:01 mark Sept. 2 at Legacy Stadium. The Tigers prevailed 35-28, trading one challenge for another.

Katy returns to Legacy Stadium at 6 p.m. Saturday for a meeting of undefeated teams in its District 19-6A opener. Tompkins topped Cypress Ranch and Bridgeland during nondistrict play.

"They're coming in 2-0 too," Katy coach Gary Joseph said. "We can't sit there and rest on our laurels. It's about district now. Like I told the kids, we'll enjoy it during video (Saturday), then we're going to turn around and focus our attention on Tompkins."

The Falcons are the closest thing to a rival for Katy, edging the Tigers 24-19 in 2020 to hand the Tigers their first district loss since 2008. Katy avenged 56-21 last year.

Seeking their fifth consecutive 10-win season, the Falcons are off to a strong start including a 38-14 victory against Bridgeland last week.

Tompkins broke open a 3-0 game with four unanswered touchdowns in the third quarter, taking advantage of two turnovers.

A 59-yard quarterback keeper by Chris Gilbert, an interception by Jhase McMillan and a 48-yard touchdown by Caleb Komolafe quickly gave Tompkins a 17-0 lead.

Gilbert scrambled for another touchdown, while Komolafe followed an Eduwa Okundaye fumble recovery with his second touchdown of the quarter.

The Falcons have three 100-yard rushers, including Caleb Blocker, who is fourth in the district with 180 yards and two touchdowns. Wyatt Young is tied for 10th in 19-6A with five catches for 98 yards and a score, while Gilbert has passed for 250 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Tompkins ranks fourth in the district with 729 yards and eighth with 666 yards allowed, but is tied for first with a plus-four turnover ratio.

Griffin Simonton (12 tackles, one interception), Josh Davis (12 tackles, three tackles for loss) and Komolafe (11 tackles, two TFL) are among the defensive leaders, while Erben Birkhoff has a district-best 57.8-yard average on kickoffs and ranks second in punting at 44.6.

Katy boasts the top offense (944 yards) and defense (268 yards) in 19-6A, as well as its leading rusher. Seth Davis has 463 yards, averaging 9.5 per carry, and five touchdowns including the go-ahead 57-yarder against Atascocita.

Down 14-7 before a late touchdown in the first half, Katy found greater consistency running behind the guards after halftime.

A line that included Nick Cravaritis, Lance Lee, Jacob Egg, Jacob Valdez and Coen Echols, fullback Chase Johnsey and tight ends Luke Carter and Colton Sanders helped Davis to 193 yards and two scores on 28 carries.

"Just pound it down their throat, going straight to them," Davis said. "Not going to the outside as much. Just going straight to them. We knew they were going to play a good game too, so we just had to fight and never give up."

The Tigers received two touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown from Koger, who ranks fifth in 19-6A with 265 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

"If I'm not scoring, he's scoring," Davis said. "It's great to have that and he's a great player too."

J.R. Ceyanes (6-108-1) leads Katy receivers despite leaving the Atascocita game early due to an injury. Adam Jackson and Micah Koenig both hauled in touchdowns, while Oliver Ginn added a key 62-yard catch.

The Tigers came up with just enough stops defensively to win and bring several productive players into league play. Johnathan Hall is tied for seventh in 19-6A with 17 tackles, with Blake Geiman's 16 ranking ninth.

Team leaders include Connor Johnsey (13 tackles, two TFL), Damian Neveaux (12 tackles, three TFL) and Micah Sweats (11 tackles, two interceptions). Adam Carter is near the top in 19-6A on kickoffs (53.0) and punts (42.5).

Katy passed its first true test last week. Tompkins could be its most capable district foe.

"It prepares us for district and especially the playoffs," Davis said. "Even if we're down we're going to keep on fighting."

Jack Marrion is a newspaper veteran who has covered sports at all levels since graduating from the University of Missouri in 2000. He worked at the Hobbs (N.M.) News-Sun and Midland Reporter-Telegram before relocating in 2008 to Houston, where he has covered high school sports in several parts of the area.