Strake Jesuit vs. Katy Taylor

[htownfootball]

Strake Jesuit takes on the Katy Taylor Mustangs this Friday at Rhodes Stadium in Katy, Texas where the Crusaders were 0-2 last season and 0-0 so far this season.
Strake Jesuit is coming off a 48-19 win over Mayde Creek on homecoming night with a passing defense that held the Rams to 4-12 and 25 yards in the air. Jesuit is 6-0 and 3-0 in 19-5A for the year.
Katy Taylor is coming off a 37-3 loss at Rhodes to their rival across Interstate 10, the Katy Tigers. During that game, the Mustangs held Katy to a 6-3 Tiger lead going into halftime. Jesuit beat winless Baytown Lee in their home opener. After losing Iowa recruit Grant Jefferson in that opener, as well as running back John Stell and a heart attack to head coach Ron Counter, Jesuit regrouped with a 5-0 record with wins over TAPPS defending state appearance St. Pius X, St. Thomas at Rice Stadium and Aleif Taylor and Hastings at Crump Stadium In Alief.
Taylor is 3-3 and 1-2 in 19-5A. After losing their opener to Langham Creek, they upset defending region III champion Clear Lake and had a meager 6-0 win over struggling Cinco Ranch and lost to depleated Elsik.
I predict that Strake beats Katy Taylor on a tour de force in the Crusaders' payback season at Rhodes Stadium. They go 7-0 and 4-0 in 19-5A to play Elsik at Crusader Stadium in Houston in the home closer then the final district game of the season at Rhodes Stadium, where the Crusader's long journey in the UIL 5A Texas football world began versus the defending class 5A state champs, the Katy Tigers on their homecoming night. That night ended with a loss and a win on that night versus the Cinco Ranch Cougars would show the progress Jesuit has gone through since the Katy opener.


Please only reply if it has something to do with the game Saturday at Rhodes Stadium in Katy, Texas at 2:00 PM.

[Fleeman93]

So is the game Friday night or Saturday at 2:00PM (I know the answer)? :)

[nate]

I hope Taylor wins.

[KT2000]

I expect a low scoring, defensive game. This should be a good game. Taylor's secondary is good enough to limit Jesuit's lobs downfield. Jesuit will need a better game from their running backs to win. Both teams can play well on special teams. I think these two teams are pretty evenly matched.

[Tut]

A schedule quirk has Strake playing each team (except the opener) a week after Katy has played them. (just an observation) I think Taylor is the best district team that Katy has played so far. Agree with KT2000 on a low scoring game. Should be agood one.

[Mini-Me]

The 4 UIL schools beaten by Strake thus far have combined for a total of 5 wins over the entire season. Taylor has played better competition, including Katy and will not be intimidated by Strake's gaudy record. In fact, I look for Taylor to be highly motivated by Strake's undefeated season.

If Taylor wins this game (and I think they will), Strake will have to face an Elsik team that will be fighting for its playoff life. Elsik has the athletes to beat Strake, so that game could also be a loss for the Crusaders. Then they will end the season at Rhodes against a Cinco team that showed signs of offensive life last week.

It's certainly not out of the realm of possibilities that Strake will not even make the playoffs this year....even though they don't have to take the "L" by playing Katy. Wouldn't that be nice?

[hornfan713]

that's giving a lot of credit to a lot of weak programs. i think strake makes the playoffs this year, and is out (if they're lucky to get that far), by the second round.

in regards to the taylor game, i give it to strake in a close one, but then again, in front of a very hostile audience at rhodes, that could very well change. it will be a close game regardless.

[TigerV1]

This game will be huge in shaping the playoff picture for the district. I am eager to see how the Strake offense performs against the Mustang defense. Should be interesting. I agree with KT on it being a low(er than normal for Strake) scoring game.

[TigerV1]

It's certainly not out of the realm of possibilities that Strake will not even make the playoffs this year....even though they don't have to take the "L" by playing Katy. Wouldn't that be nice?

I just don't see Strake missing the playoffs. With a win they clinch (someone check me if I am wrong) a playoff birth.

[hornfan713]

I think that is correct. They clinch with a win here or at home against elsik, im not sure which.

[Fleeman93]

I have no doubt that they will not win out. I also don't see why they couldn't lose the next three.

[hornfan713]

They may be facing a stingy KT defense (allowing 248.2 yards/ 15 pts / game), but they are also facing a falling elsik and cinco. although parity is always a factor, I don't realistically think that Jesuit will lose out.

[Fleeman93]

Elsik is falling off, but they have athletes and you just never know. Cinco is oviously hit or miss when it comes to this season. Impressive that they put 35 up on Elsik. I just don't see the jesuit's favorite play, the lob, working against a good defense.

[dada]

Elsik is falling off, but they have athletes and you just never know. Cinco is oviously hit or miss when it comes to this season. Impressive that they put 35 up on Elsik. I just don't see the jesuit's favorite play, the lob, working against a good defense.
What happened to Elsik this past week. Did Caveness play? Where they missing players? I looked at the stats and boxscores and saw some unfamiliar names. Did grades hit them? I was expecting them to beat Katy Taylor.

[hornfan713]

It works a lot better on this forum when posters back up claims. Ill take fleeman on his. A good defense could shut down jesuit's passing game. we'll see how the games pan out. thanks for clarifying.

[Fleeman93]

I'll give all of you pickem' guys a little freebie here. Now I am not going to tell you who will win, but game time for this game will play a major role in the outcome.

[Mini-Me]

I'll give all of you pickem' guys a little freebie here. Now I am not going to tell you who will win, but game time for this game will play a major role in the outcome.

Fleeman is the man. This will be Strake's first afternoon game and Taylor's third of the season.

[Redneckn]

Strake will win it. will be close though.

[Fleeman93]

I just don't see the jesuits' 39 man roster (I counted at their last game) holding up in the heat for 4 quarters against a real defense. Most of the jesuits' skill players go both ways and in my opinion that will hurt them. I see Taylor pulling away big late in the 3rd.

[TheOnceandFutureKnight]

Taylorhad a meager 6-0 win over struggling Cinco Ranch.

A win on that night versus the Cinco Ranch Cougars would show the progress Jesuit has gone through since the Katy opener.


Please only reply if it has something to do with the game Saturday at Rhodes Stadium in Katy, Texas at 2:00 PM.

I'm confused. Taylor's 6-0 win was meager against Cinco Ranch but a win by Strake over Cinco 3 weeks from now would show the progress they've made since losing to Katy more than a year ago? How do you figure that? The only thing Cinco Ranch's program has in common with Katy's right now is that they both use footballs and wear uniforms.

I would like to close this post by saying that I hope the day is sunny and everyone has a good time on Saturday at Rhodes Stadium in Katy, Texas at 2:00 p.m. to comply with the mandate assigned at the beginning of this thread that only replies that have something to do with the game Saturday at Rhodes Stadium in Katy, Texas at 2:00 p.m. are to be allowed.

[htownfootball]

the progress i was talking about was how last year strake wasn't predicted to win ANY 19-5A games and this year they are 3-0 and last year won 2 in all, 1 of them being over heavily favored cinco ranch with their duel threat offense with baylor's quito teasly and QB austin morgan's lethal spread offense that had only lost 1 game to katy in the most anticipated 19-5A game i've ever seen.
the fact that strake has beaten any 5A schools should shut down every critic from last year's anti-jesuit bandwagon saying that the difference between private and public ball was just too big for strake jesuit to overcome and even compete. boy, could they have been more wrong. dallas jesuit shared a district championship last year and strake is on it's way to do the same.

[Fleeman93]

I think last year was just a new guys on the block mentality. The jesuits certainly did better than I expected or wanted. This year 19-5A is just not very good. If the jesuits can pull off a win Saturday against K Taylor then I will be forced to change my opinion of them.

[SmilinTiger]

the progress i was talking about was how last year strake wasn't predicted to win ANY 19-5A games and this year they are 3-0 and last year won 2 in all, 1 of them being over heavily favored cinco ranch with their duel threat offense with baylor's quito teasly and QB austin morgan's lethal spread offense that had only lost 1 game to katy in the most anticipated 19-5A game i've ever seen.
the fact that strake has beaten any 5A schools should shut down every critic from last year's anti-jesuit bandwagon saying that the difference between private and public ball was just too big for strake jesuit to overcome and even compete. boy, could they have been more wrong. dallas jesuit shared a district championship last year and strake is on it's way to do the same.

I don't think the level of critism was leveled at the playing ability of Strake or any other private school. The criticism was about fairness, because public schools, 19-5A or any other are tied to an attendance zone. A quality player from any school attendance zone in the area, Katy, Westfield, North Shore or elsewhere can choose to attend a private school such as Strake. Or can be recruited. All private schools such as Strake offer financial assistance. It's done all over the country.
Public schools have no such flexibility. And it's hurting a lot of public school programs in low income areas.
This is an issue that needs to addressed by the UIL in Texas before it gets out of hand.

[htownfootball]

when oak hill academy in virgina was being watched closely for recruiting, nobody found anything. nothing. they were number 1 in the nation for basketball and have been on and off in the USA Today Prep poll top 25 for the last 10 years. the coach said on sports center that great players and good athletes transfer as seniors all the time to his schools then on to top 5 d1 programs or jump to the NBA because of the word of mouth and reputation of the school.
before strake jesuit was in the UIL they were independent and before that a TCIL power. word of mouth and reputation about strake jesuit winning 70 games in the past decade in football spread and thus the athletes keep on rollin. and a lot get turned away. in basketball for example, a former jesuit star's little brother could not get in so he went to an even bigger power down the road (ill give you a hint as to where-ndudi ebi). current arizona star and ex-milby player that lead the team to a national ranking and a 5A state championship jawaan mcclellan was turned away as well as ex alief taylor star fendi onobum who is also at arizona now.
the point is that strake attracts athletes and does not recruit them. the reputation, swagger, etc is what gets them and some stay, some go but whatever it is they can compete as records have shown.

[Fleeman93]

I don't think you would have had a problem until the jesuits were given the biggest stage in the country to play HS football. Only time will tell. I just don't want to see the UIL and TX high school football go downhill.

[SmilinTiger]

when oak hill academy in virgina was being watched closely for recruiting, nobody found anything. nothing. they were number 1 in the nation for basketball and have been on and off in the USA Today Prep poll top 25 for the last 10 years. the coach said on sports center that great players and good athletes transfer as seniors all the time to his schools then on to top 5 d1 programs or jump to the NBA because of the word of mouth and reputation of the school.
before strake jesuit was in the UIL they were independent and before that a TCIL power. word of mouth and reputation about strake jesuit winning 70 games in the past decade in football spread and thus the athletes keep on rollin. and a lot get turned away. in basketball for example, a former jesuit star's little brother could not get in so he went to an even bigger power down the road (ill give you a hint as to where-ndudi ebi). current arizona star and ex-milby player that lead the team to a national ranking and a 5A state championship jawaan mcclellan was turned away as well as ex alief taylor star fendi onobum who is also at arizona now.
the point is that strake attracts athletes and does not recruit them. the reputation, swagger, etc is what gets them and some stay, some go but whatever it is they can compete as records have shown.

However, as you state, they have a choice. Other kids (most) living in a particular area with their parents are tied to their attendance zone and compete with athletes with similar competitive skills. Your paragraph highlights star athletes that are shopping themselves around to schools that will gain them exposure to top collegiate and pro teams.
AND, as previously mentioned, if a Strake or other school wants you in their program, they will offer financial assistance to allow that athlete ( student) to attend that school. That financial assistance (scholarship) is not available in public schools.
I believe your allegiance to Strake ( which is admirable ) is clouding your ability to understand the fairness of the situation.

LeBron James is a perfect example. Do you think a highly recruited basketball/football player from a public school could show up at school with an $80,000 HumVee and not suffer the consequences.

Let's keep the Nike's, Reeboks, and $$$$$$$$$$ out of high school football.

The purity of the intensity and the love of these young athletes for the opportunity to perform and compete at this level with little or no reward other than the the sound of their friends and family in the stands and the high fives of their fellow team-mates should not be diminished by those seeking higher glory through more privileged situations.

Good luck to Strake Jesuit and the Crusaders in your future endeavers. Fairness and truth have a way of rising to the top of most situations.

[hornfan713]

See, the thing is, is that Jesuit DOESNT offer athletes scholorships. Any athletes that come will only qualify for a scholorship if their income level allows it, just like any other Strake student. Hell, I was on scholorship at Strake because I couldnt afford it, and we still had to put down a decent amount of money to go there.

I don't agree that just by being co-champion of 19-5A this year that anyone should change their opinion of us, or that they will. We still have a great deal to prove, just like any other upstart program that moves up a classification. It will take a few years before Strake will prove themselves, if in fact they do.

Believe me, I love my alma mater. Anytime we make the playoffs in football and basketball and I'm driving down from Austin to be there. But I think joining the UIL did a deal of detriment to the school. And while I love being able to compete at a higher level, I wonder what the cost to the school will be in the future.

[Mini-Me]

I don't agree that just by being co-champion of 19-5A this year that anyone should change their opinion of us, or that they will.

First, you have to be a co-champion.

Strake wants respect, but obviously, the Strake fans have a more difficlut time showing the same respect for their 19-5A brethren. I would point out that Katy Taylor, Cinco Ranch and Elsik are still on Strake's schedule. Taylor and Cinco both have good defensive clubs and Elsik certainly has the athletes to compete with Strake. It's a bit premature to be declaring a co-championship for your beloved Crusaders.

[Fleeman93]

If I do change my opinion of the jesuits it will be my opinion of this team and not the program as a whole. Right now I think this jesuit team is average at best and have only played below average teams. I don't know that K Taylor, Elsik or Cinco can beat the jesuits, but they will be the toughest competition to this point. I will admit that I am less than pleased with the fact that one of the best teams in the state may have to share a district title with a team that I have no doubt they could beat by 60 points. Furthermore, it is my understanding that the reason the Alief schools and the jesuits voted against making up the games is because their feelings were hurt that the KISD schools did not include them in the process that was used to come up with the plan to make up the missed games.

[Drake]

Always misguided, misinformed Katy Tiger fans dissing the Crusaders...

Why so much animosity? Why do Katy fans attend Crusader games to vivaciously root against them? Why do they criticize Strake’s brand new stadium and great surface? Many of you attended our Homecoming against Mayde Creek to cheer against us, yet you still refer to them as “Maid” Creek when they’re not playing us. Do you have contempt for everyone that doesn’t run their football program has you would? Those of you that attended know we have good students and fine traditions. If it bothers you that our coach gets on the field 5 yards and yours only gets on it 3, then your life is way too uneventful. No one here believes we can play with Katy on the field, at least not consistently, but so what? No matter how the season plays out our team deserves respect, and if you’re intellectually honest, you know I’m right...

Strake is 6-0. Now considering that the school has 850 boys (which make us basically a 4-A school) and less than 40 on its varsity, that should be enough. But add to that that we lost our all-district RB and his back-up for the season on opening night, and we lost our coach to a heart attack for several games, should show we have a team to admire.

We don’t have anyone playing that hasn’t been here since they were a freshman and while gifted STUDENTS do receive financial help, I’m not aware of anyone receiving such for their athletic “gifts”. The recruiting BS is just that, a bunch of BS. I would bet that the Katy Tigers have far more kids that have moved into its boundaries for football purposes and some that still truly reside outside the boundaries than anyone in the area, much less a school that cost $10,000/year to attend.

Strake petitioned for UIL, not 19-5A. We’re not particularly happy about being with you either, especially considering your lack of sportsmanship and constant criticism of our school facilities. Katy can use tax-payer money and build schools that look like the Pentagon or stadiums that can contain the bitter Red Sea. We’re limited by our resources and priorities. Besides, Katy is an awful commute for our teams and our fans too. Regardless, we’re making the best of it without much complaint.

Maybe we will miss the playoffs like so many hope we do. Regardless, our kids have played hard, already beaten some pretty good odds, and deserve kudos for what they’ve accomplished to date. What ever happens, life will go on… After all, these are just high school kids with futures that are much more important than high school football… At least that’s what we’re teaching them at Strake…

[TigerV1]

Always misguided, misinformed Katy Tiger fans dissing the Crusaders...

Why so much animosity? Why do Katy fans attend Crusader games to vivaciously root against them? Why do they criticize Strake’s brand new stadium and great surface? Many of you attended our Homecoming against Mayde Creek to cheer against us, yet you still refer to them as “Maid” Creek when they’re not playing us. Do you have contempt for everyone that doesn’t run their football program has you would? Those of you that attended know we have good students and fine traditions. If it bothers you that our coach gets on the field 5 yards and yours only gets on it 3, then your life is way too uneventful. No one here believes we can play with Katy on the field, at least not consistently, but so what? No matter how the season plays out our team deserves respect, and if you’re intellectually honest, you know I’m right...

Strake is 6-0. Now considering that the school has 850 boys (which make us basically a 4-A school) and less than 40 on its varsity, that should be enough. But add to that that we lost our all-district RB and his back-up for the season on opening night, and we lost our coach to a heart attack for several games, should show we have a team to admire.

We don’t have anyone playing that hasn’t been here since they were a freshman and while gifted STUDENTS do receive financial help, I’m not aware of anyone receiving such for their athletic “gifts”. The recruiting BS is just that, a bunch of BS. I would bet that the Katy Tigers have far more kids that have moved into its boundaries for football purposes and some that still truly reside outside the boundaries than anyone in the area, much less a school that cost $10,000/year to attend.

Strake petitioned for UIL, not 19-5A. We’re not particularly happy about being with you either, especially considering your lack of sportsmanship and constant criticism of our school facilities. Katy can use tax-payer money and build schools that look like the Pentagon or stadiums that can contain the bitter Red Sea. We’re limited by our resources and priorities. Besides, Katy is an awful commute for our teams and our fans too. Regardless, we’re making the best of it without much complaint.

Maybe we will miss the playoffs like so many hope we do. Regardless, our kids have played hard, already beaten some pretty good odds, and deserve kudos for what they’ve accomplished to date. What ever happens, life will go on… After all, these are just high school kids with futures that are much more important than high school football… At least that’s what we’re teaching them at Strake…


Wow.....and you call us bitter. Let's analyze this......

1) The private schools forced their agenda on the UIL and public schools....

2) No other team seems to think that Katy has a "lack of sportsmanship".....

3) Rather than being satisfied with just playing football, you all decided that it wasn't enough and that you wanted to play in the UIL. So clearly this statement is not true "Regardless, we’re making the best of it without much complaint." If it were true then you would have accepted that you couldn't get in the UIL and moved on....

4) Rather than play the games, rather than play the full schedule, Strake decided to turn tail and run. Maybe it wasn't the players choice, maybe not even the coaches, but the leadership in that school saw an opportunity and took it. Seems to me that the "lack of sportsmanship" is actually a problem with the Strake leadership....

5) I for one, and I know I am not the only one, have never wanted for a second to take away anything from the boys. Both Katy and Strake have a good group of kids. That's not even an issue. You're right, they do deserve kudos. The issue has been with the administrations decisions. Since you want to say this "After all, these are just high school kids with futures that are much more important than high school football… At least that’s what we’re teaching them at Strake" then tell me, what life lesson are you teaching the Strake players by weaseling out of a game, probably the most important district game for either team?

I think the next time you want to try to get your point across....try a little less venom in your message because we are not "Always misguided, misinformed Katy Tiger fans."

[Drake]

Why did the Jesuit schools want in the UIL? Not to dominate the sports, but because education is their business, and UIL inclusion enhances their product. What’s wrong with that?

First, the smaller private/parochial schools decided to form a different league and exclude the larger Jesuit schools. That left both Jesuit schools without a conference to play in and/or titles to play for. While I maintain that Strake Jesuit emphasizes academics before athletics, certainly it detracts (at least for student-athletes) from the appeal of any school if its sports teams play but aren’t competing for anything such as district titles, playoff spots, individual honors such as all-district recognition, etc. My son plays sports at Strake with aspirations to play in college. While we felt Strake was a great choice for our child and probably would have enrolled anyway, it would have been a much harder decision if Strake had not been in UIL or competing at some decent level. So being in UIL is important to Strake, just like a good library, good teachers, and every other consideration that potential students and parents might weigh when deciding if they should enroll there. No one is trying to hide the reasons Strake petitioned the UIL, it was in the best interests of the school and its students.

The reason push came to shove is because Strake’s petition was being stonewalled unfairly (assuming unfairly since UIL backed down) by people that felt, and judging by some of these posts, still feel that Strake has some great plan to recruit all the best players and dominate football in Texas. Those that believe such “conspiracies”, without ANY evidence to the fact, can only be labeled as paranoid, delusional, or misinformed at best.

[hornfan713]

It's a bit premature to be declaring a co-championship for your beloved Crusaders.


I wasn't declaring anything. That's the prediction. It could very well not happen if we lose to KT and then lose out the season. Anything is possible. My point was about the respect we could garner or not from that co-title. Anybody who wants to respect us more, great. But I for one still think that if we're to be taken seriously in the UIL, we need a repeat of this season when there is more than one above average team in the district (more like last season).

Say what you will about Strake backing out of the Katy game. No Alief teams voted to make them up either. So regardless of what anyone may say, the blame is equal between Strake and Alief.

I agree that recruiting is a legitimate concern. In sports associations with less scrupulous governing bodies it might be a reality. But the UIL has a tight leash on things like that. Anyone coming to Strake from outside eiither the Elsik / Hastings attendance zone or the Sharpstown attendance zone are ineligible for a calender year from their transfer. Strake also gives money based on need, not talent, intellectual or athletic.

[Fleeman93]

Always misguided, misinformed Katy Tiger fans dissing the Crusaders...

Why so much animosity (Not speaking for anyone else, but rules were changed to allow a private school into UIL football and the means that were taken for this to happen were questionable and I don't like it)? Why do Katy fans attend Crusader games to vivaciously root against them (The jesuits took the coward way out by not playing Katy and for that we have to hope you lose so that we don't have to share something with the jesuits that they truely don't deserve. Some of these teams don't know what it means to support their team so some Katy fans choose to support their team for them. I am one of those Katy fans that sat on the jesuits side of the field during your homecoming game and I will be there Saturday on the jesuits side of the field cheering for K Taylor to beat you.)? Why do they criticize Strake’s brand new stadium and great surface (I agree 100% that the surface is great, but the stadium seating is inadequate when compared to any other 5A stadiums. The problem needs to be addressed if the jesuits remain in 5A.)? Many of you attended our Homecoming against Mayde Creek to cheer against us, yet you still refer to them as “Maid” Creek when they’re not playing us. Do you have contempt for everyone that doesn’t run their football program has you would (That is just a competition thing. At any high school football game you will see signs and what not poking fun of the opposing team)? Those of you that attended know we have good students and fine traditions (I know nothing about your students or traditions, but I would guess that both are top notch). If it bothers you that our coach gets on the field 5 yards and yours only gets on it 3, then your life is way too uneventful (I could care less where your coach stands during a game. I could care less if he gets our there and plays. All coaches do it to some extent and unless the refs have a problem with it then there isn't really a problem. Safety is the main thing with coaches being on the field since the refs are often following the play and not watching where they are running). No one here believes we can play with Katy on the field, at least not consistently, but so what (The whole reason the jesuits worked the system to get into UIL was to compete with the big schools. The so what of it is that if you wanted to play then play. Don't vote to not play a game that you knew you couldn't win then stand back and say that it doesn't matter)? No matter how the season plays out our team deserves respect, and if you’re intellectually honest, you know I’m right... (You are 100% correct that your team deserves respect. I will give your team the same respect that I give every other high school football team that competes at this level in the state of Texas)

Strake is 6-0 (4-0 if you take away the wins from the private schools that 90% of 5A teams could beat). Now considering that the school has 850 boys (which make us basically a 4-A school) and less than 40 on its varsity, that should be enough (Enough for what? Enough for people to feel sorry for your lawyers for trying to get you into UIL football in the first place?). But add to that that we lost our all-district RB and his back-up for the season on opening night, and we lost our coach to a heart attack for several games, should show we have a team to admire (5A football is a tough road to hoe. Injuries do happen. I am very sorry about your coach. I hope he is ok. I don't have to admire you because of problems that you have faced. I only have to reconize that you are a problem.).

We don’t have anyone playing that hasn’t been here since they were a freshman and while gifted STUDENTS do receive financial help, I’m not aware of anyone receiving such for their athletic “gifts” (I don't see this being a problem after two years. Only time will tell if UIL made a mistake by allowing a school into UIL that has the CAPABILITY to recruit. I don't doubt for a second that the jesuits have not recruited to this point, but since the CAPABILITY is there then there is a chance down the road). The recruiting BS is just that, a bunch of BS. I would bet that the Katy Tigers have far more kids that have moved into its boundaries for football purposes and some that still truly reside outside the boundaries than anyone in the area, much less a school that cost $10,000/year to attend (I would guess that if a player's family has the means and desire to move into a zone that would allow them to play for a particular football team, then they have that right. If the Katy program has ever at any time gone out and asked people to move into said zone then they are wrong and UIL should look into it. If you have any proof at all about a player that is playing for Katy and is living outside of Katy's zone then I would bring it up to the jesuit administration and allow them to turn it over to the UIL).

Strake petitioned for UIL, not 19-5A. We’re not particularly happy about being with you either, especially considering your lack of sportsmanship and constant criticism of our school facilities (Katy fans are very passionate about their football program. I am very sorry that sometimes we come across as unsportsmanlike. I'm sure it happens with the majority of football programs at times.) Katy can use tax-payer money and build schools that look like the Pentagon or stadiums that can contain the bitter Red Sea. We’re limited by our resources and priorities (Actually, Katy Independent School District makes the decisions on where district money is appropriated). Besides, Katy is an awful commute for our teams and our fans too (Not to say that it has never happened, but I have never heard of a Katy fan complaining about travel to the jesuit facilities. Be glad you aren't in South or West TX where you might have to travel a couple of hours for games). Regardless, we’re making the best of it without much complaint (Fair enough).

Maybe we will miss the playoffs like so many hope we do ( I really don't know if the jesuits will or will not make the playoffs. To this point they have played what I feel are the the three bottom teams in the district with three of the better teams to go. I really have no opinion about the jesuits making the the playoffs, but I'm sure they won't last very long if they do). Regardless, our kids have played hard, already beaten some pretty good odds, and deserve kudos for what they’ve accomplished to date. What ever happens, life will go on… After all, these are just high school kids with futures that are much more important than high school football… At least that’s what we’re teaching them at Strake…

Sorry for the long post.

[TigerV1]

the blame is equal between Strake and Alief.


No one here has said anything on the contrary. At least we get a chance to take out our frustration on the Alief teams.

[ktCarl]

This is actually the game of the week for 19-5A. The best matchup so far. The game could go either way although I think Taylor's defense is the stiffest Strake will face this season. I'll take Taylor because of their defense. The only advantage I'll give Strake is the fact Taylor lost to Katy the week before and maybe a bit down. We'll see how the coaches and players respond.

[Fleeman93]

The only advantage I'll give Strake is the fact Taylor lost to Katy the week before and maybe a bit down.

....or a bit pissed off!

[TigerV1]

Why did the Jesuit schools want in the UIL? Not to dominate the sports, but because education is their business, and UIL inclusion enhances their product. What’s wrong with that?

First, the smaller private/parochial schools decided to form a different league and exclude the larger Jesuit schools. That left both Jesuit schools without a conference to play in and/or titles to play for. While I maintain that Strake Jesuit emphasizes academics before athletics, certainly it detracts (at least for student-athletes) from the appeal of any school if its sports teams play but aren’t competing for anything such as district titles, playoff spots, individual honors such as all-district recognition, etc. My son plays sports at Strake with aspirations to play in college. While we felt Strake was a great choice for our child and probably would have enrolled anyway, it would have been a much harder decision if Strake had not been in UIL or competing at some decent level. So being in UIL is important to Strake, just like a good library, good teachers, and every other consideration that potential students and parents might weigh when deciding if they should enroll there. No one is trying to hide the reasons Strake petitioned the UIL, it was in the best interests of the school and its students.

The reason push came to shove is because Strake’s petition was being stonewalled unfairly (assuming unfairly since UIL backed down) by people that felt, and judging by some of these posts, still feel that Strake has some great plan to recruit all the best players and dominate football in Texas. Those that believe such “conspiracies”, without ANY evidence to the fact, can only be labeled as paranoid, delusional, or misinformed at best.

That last statement is good to hear. Now we know that Katy fans are not "paranoid, delusional, or misinformed at best". You want examples of how private schools have put a stranglehold on public schools, look at California. Some of these school have built mini-dynasties. We aren't suggesting that its some sort of conspiracy, one can just look at what has happened. I am sure that the private schools did not intend on what has happened, but that's the way it shaped up.

[TheOnceandFutureKnight]

There are 2 things that make the average fan hold strake in low opinion.

1) When the initial UIL petitions were turned down, Sen. Nixon introduced a bill disbanding the UIL altogether and threatened a lawsuit if the 2 Jesuits were not allowed to participate. Even if he is just one man, he speaks in a very loud voice that is remembered far longer because of the way he said it. The UIL charter, which had existed since 1915, clearly stated that the league was created for the interaction of public schools. People fear the unknown and including a private school in the mix makes them question everything.

2) Given the chance to do the right thing in a situation, the head of SJA voted against making up a football game that Strake would more than likely lose. Had he voted in favor of it, the votes of the Alief schools would not have mattered, a 5-3 majority would have passed the make-up schedule. As that George guy wrote in the katy paper, every team wants to test itself against the best, this has nothign to do with strake's coaches or players, it is the head of the academy that voted no, thereby setting an example to the kids there that if you can weasel your way out of something, by all means do so. Strake Jesuit has the same type of kids as any KISD school, some are your average teenager, get in troulbe once in a while, stay out of it most of the time, some are troublemakers, some have higher-than-thou attitudes based on their pedigree or their wealth and some are hard-working, god-fearing kids who love playing sports for all the right reasons. The point is, at that age, the men they will become is shaped largely by their role models in these crucial years, and to have the man who is the pinnacle of their educational world vote like a coward makes a big impact in how the school as a whole as viewed.

For a school like Cinco Ranch or Taylor, which might win out but finish a game behind Strake in the district because it had to play Katy and Strake did not, it will be a particularly bitter pill to swallow and will make those kids question why they had to play the best of 19-5A and the school that finished ahead of them did not. Strake's head man had a chance to play fair and do the right thing, the Christian thing to do, and he opted to take the easy way out.

[TigerV1]

For a school like Cinco Ranch or Taylor, which might win out but finish a game behind Strake in the district because it had to play Katy and Strake did not, it will be a particularly bitter pill to swallow and will make those kids question why they had to play the best of 19-5A and the school that finished ahead of them did not. Strake's head man had a chance to play fair and do the right thing, the Christian thing to do, and he opted to take the easy way out.

This sums up the way we feel. Given a chance to do the right thing, the administration at Strake did not. Lets say, for poops and grins, that Strake ends up dropping the next three games and that they end up going to the playoffs on the third seed tied with other schools because the other schools lost to Katy. And lets say Strake won the tie by points or some other sort of tie breaker. How do you suppose the schools who lost out on the playoffs feel? Does it matter to Strake? I mean, we want to talk about fairness, then lets be honest, is it fair that some teams in the district play Katy whereas others don't?

[htownfootball]

yeah ,whats the explenation tigerv1 for katy fans showing up to the strake games at aleif taylor, hastings and mayde creek and talking trash to the team or just sitting in the crowd rooting against jesuit? i mean ill root against katy in just about any circumstance involving major accomplishment for them such as a state, district or regional championship, but i wont actually goto their game and watch from the visitor's side or goto the seats behind the bench and yell trash at them.
just that we're the only team so far that has complained about yalls lack of sportsmanship on this issue doesnt mean its not there.

[Redneckn]

So basically, nobody likes privates playing with publics. (except privates)

If anyone is worried that privates are going to start dominating like they do in other states, one would need to look at the structure of the schools systems in Texas. Compare that to other states. Texans actually put money into their schools systems.. Other states dont. That's a major reason why privates do so well in other states. They have the money for facilities and coaches. In Texas, the publics have that.. So nobody need worry that privates are taking over.

Unless you figure in the fact that parents would rather their kids be educated in a system where saying the pledge and prayer are ok. And there arent gang shoot outs in the parking lot.

[TigerV1]

yeah ,whats the explenation tigerv1 for katy fans showing up to the strake games at aleif taylor, hastings and mayde creek and talking trash to the team or just sitting in the crowd rooting against jesuit?
just that we're the only team so far that has complained about yalls lack of sportsmanship on this issue doesnt mean its not there.

Then I guess, since you want to play that way, since we're the only fans on here that have complained about yall recruiting doesn't mean its not there. Lets be balanced here.

"whats the explenation tigerv1 for katy fans showing up to the strake games at aleif taylor, hastings and mayde creek and talking trash to the team or just sitting in the crowd rooting against jesuit?" Have you ever heard of waking up a sleeping giant. Or how about rattling an old dog's cage. Whichever cliche you choose to use, you managed to really anger Katy folks. Now I wasn't at the game so I cannot say I know what kind of "trash" was being talked about, but hey, if Katy fans want to show up at your game and root against you, they have every right, just as Strake has a right to do it to Katy. Its not unsportmanlike, its freakin called INTIMIDATION and it happens in high school, college, and the pros. Get used to it or go back to the "Kum ba-yah" private league you came from.

[htownfootball]

no, see, that is where you are wrong sir. it is intimidating but it is also unsportsmanlike and you know it. just because the great katy tigers are doing it means it can be wrong too uh huh yes it can.
so you are saying that it is only intimidation (for what reason, it's not like your playing jesuit) and that it is acceptable that katy tiger fans (older men, middle aged men) can come to a high school football game at strake and yell trash to the team and coaches. the answer is definently 'no'. that is unnacceptable and pathetic that someone would go to that length of showing dislike.

[TigerV1]

no, see, that is where you are wrong sir. it is intimidating but it is also unsportsmanlike and you know it. just because the great katy tigers are doing it means it can be wrong too uh huh yes it can.
so you are saying that it is only intimidation (for what reason, it's not like your playing jesuit) and that it is acceptable that katy tiger fans (older men, middle aged men) can come to a high school football game at strake and yell trash to the team and coaches. the answer is definently 'no'. that is unnacceptable and pathetic that someone would go to that length of showing dislike.

When trying to talk to htwonfootball, does anyone else feel like they are talking to a brick wall?

Well, since you are the great moral leader of all Texas football, please fly around to the different stadiums at all levels and ask the fans to play nice.

Again, I wasn't at the game so I don't know what was said by fans. I won't make excuses for those who said things that you consider inappropriate. I'll let those fans come on here and defend themselves since you seem to want to dishonor them.

Again I would like to take a sentence out and bold it for everyone to see. "just because the great katy tigers are doing it means it can be wrong too uh huh yes it can." This applies to Strake as well. Just because Strake is recruiting and calling it something else doesn't mean they aren't recruiting. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck....

[Fleeman93]

H Town I don't know exactly which game you are saying that Katy fans were talking trash to the jesuit coaches and bench, but I guarantee you that it wasn't the Mayde Creek game. I was the only Katy fan on that side of the stadium and the bottom row / walkway of the bleachers was packed with jesuit kids (little mums and things everywhere). Now I don't know if it happened at a different game, but you can exclude the Mayde Creek game. Besides, if there was a "problem" with fans being disruptive then you know they would have been removed. Furthermore, so you are telling me in the 5A title games that take place every year that only the teams that are playing have fans that are representing? That no other teams' fans are present and cheering for a different team? Let's say I was a fan of KISD and wanted to cheer for all of the KISD schools, is that ok?

[Mini-Me]

Please only reply if it has something to do with the game Saturday at Rhodes Stadium in Katy, Texas at 2:00 PM.

You can't even follow your own advice. Take a deep breath and relax, ace. Alleged poor sportsmanship at previous Strake games really has nothing to do with Saturday's game now does it?

[Drake]

Hogwash. The manly thing to do is take everything into consideration and do what's best for your team.

I'm assuming that one of Strake's goals is to make the playoffs. When you have less than 40 kids, injury problems, and are facing 3 games in 2 weeks, skipping an opponent that is twice as big, fast and deep as you IS whats best for YOUR team. What your opponents fan base thinks about life's lessons or the slight chance they might have to share a championship is not a priority. Why does it come down to a question of manhood, character, etc? Was brave General Custer a hero or a fool? He's not admired for sacrificing everything in the name of honor.

If you were intellectually honest with yourself, you would admit you'd expect the Katy coaches to do whats best for their program in a similar scenario. If your goal is to win a state championship, does it mean you must play North Shore, Westfield, Euless Trinity, and the Carroll in succession for it to mean anything? Of course not.

The plan to make up games came from KISD without consultation or input from the other schools in the district. Perhaps THIS is why the Alief schools voted no. Perhaps a little diplomacy would have made the difference and you would have gotten your game with Strake. Perhaps if you'd remove your blinkers and recognize people outside of Katy may have an opinion that is just as legitimate as yours, even if it not the same.

Strake's stadium is plenty adequate for 5A football. The visitors side does not suffice for a home game versus Katy, and thats it. Other than that, its a beautiful and adequate facility. It will be even more beautiful when the entire complex is completed.

The fact that you can do nothing but criticize this facility but find time to travel there and sit with parents of kids you care NOTHING about and cheer against another group of kids you don't know because their record threatens your string of district dominance is beyond comprehension to me... And its WHY I believe, on this issue, Katy fans have shown the worst sportsmanship I've EVER seen.

[Redneckn]

I seriously doubt that the Jesuits are recruiting. Or rather, recruiting in a way that is against the UIL rules.

[TigerV1]

Hogwash. The manly thing to do is take everything into consideration and do what's best for your team.

I'm assuming that one of Strake's goals is to make the playoffs. When you have less than 40 kids, injury problems, and are facing 3 games in 2 weeks, skipping an opponent that is twice as big, fast and deep as you IS whats best for YOUR team. What your opponents fan base thinks about life's lessons or the slight chance they might have to share a championship is not a priority. Why does it come down to a question of manhood, character, etc? Was brave General Custer a hero or a fool? He's not admired for sacrificing everything in the name of honor.

If you were intellectually honest with yourself, you would admit you'd expect the Katy coaches to do whats best for their program in a similar scenario. If your goal is to win a state championship, does it mean you must play North Shore, Westfield, Euless Trinity, and the Carroll in succession for it to mean anything? Of course not.

The plan to make up games came from KISD without consultation or input from the other schools in the district. Perhaps THIS is why the Alief schools voted no. Perhaps a little diplomacy would have made the difference and you would have gotten your game with Strake. Perhaps if you'd remove your blinkers and recognize people outside of Katy may have an opinion that is just as legitimate as yours, even if it not the same.

Strake's stadium is plenty adequate for 5A football. The visitors side does not suffice for a home game versus Katy, and thats it. Other than that, its a beautiful and adequate facility. It will be even more beautiful when the entire complex is completed.

The fact that you can do nothing but criticize this facility but find time to travel there and sit with parents of kids you care NOTHING about and cheer against another group of kids you don't know because their record threatens your string of district dominance is beyond comprehension to me... And its WHY I believe, on this issue, Katy fans have shown the worst sportsmanship I've EVER seen.

So basically what you are saying is that being opportunistic is manly!?! I think not. Taking your lumps is manly not weaseling your way out.

And you know what, I will be intellectually honest with myself. Katy coaches do the right thing even if it hurts. Case and point, 1998. Katy coaches could have slid the whole debacle under the rug, but instead chose to come clean. You cannot honestly tell me that was "best" for the team or the program. I saw the faces of those young men, I was at the school, they hurt....and Katy lost alot of face that day, but you know what Katy came back and fought even harder and have established themselves as a powerhouse. They didn't do it by looking for opportunities to skip games, they played each one regardless of the outcomes. Don't you dare challenge my intelligence telling me what you think the Katy coaches would do in a situation.

And please, cry me a river. Boo hoo. So what the Katy coaches came up with a plan. They wanted to get this done and over. Sorry we didn't drag our feet like the rest of you. So your administration (along with Alief)chooses to act like a bunch of children who didn't get there way. Says alot about the leadership doesn't it.

"The fact that you can do nothing but criticize this facility but find time to travel there and sit with parents of kids you care NOTHING about and cheer against another group of kids you don't know because their record threatens your string of district dominance is beyond comprehension to me... And its WHY I believe, on this issue, Katy fans have shown the worst sportsmanship I've EVER seen."
No doubt that some fans have blown this out of proportion, but every school has fans like this. If you want to judge Katy by a few people then I guess its safe for us to judge Strake by their leaderships decision making, by the folks on their message board (who were more vulgar than anyone should ever be), as well as your fans. At least at the end of the day the majority of Katy fans can hold their heads up high knowing they have sound administrators and leaders.

[Drake]

Ladies and Gentlemen, I rest my case...

[OfficerCartman]

How about we quit replying to these threads? No one wants strake to win besides strake, and everyone knows it.

[Redneckn]

I want Strake to win. The privates of Texas are crapped on too often and I think it would make for a good lesson if they won.

[Drake]

The underlying point I've tried to make in my posts here is that there is many perspectives on the Strake situation, there is a lot of misinformation, and no one is even contemplating Strake's position, much less giving them the benefit of the doubt. To question the character and motives of people (coaches and admins at Strake) you don't even know because you didn't like a vote they cast without knowing their why's and what for's, or because they didn't build a stadium that suited you, or because they didn't move a home game they were entitled to a bigger neutral site giving their opponent an advantage, is unfair.

My perspectives on this are different than many of yours. I understand where much of your angst comes from and, although I disagree, I do so respectfully. Somewhere along the line in this country, you can see it in politics, it became the norm to trash the other side when things don't go your way... I think thats what Strake is now up against, which is not only unfair, but demands reaction. My defense of Strake is legitimate, the question is, will you show enough respect to consider it, or just keep trashing away?

[TigerV1]

The underlying point I've tried to make in my posts here is that there is many perspectives on the Strake situation, there is a lot of misinformation, and no one is even contemplating Strake's position, much less giving them the benefit of the doubt. To question the character and motives of people (coaches and admins at Strake) you don't even know because you didn't like a vote they cast without knowing their why's and what for's, or because they didn't build a stadium that suited you, or because they didn't move a home game they were entitled to a bigger neutral site giving their opponent an advantage, is unfair.

My perspectives on this are different than many of yours. I understand where much of your angst comes from and, although I disagree, I do so respectfully. Somewhere along the line in this country, you can see it in politics, it became the norm to trash the other side when things don't go your way... I think thats what Strake is now up against, which is not only unfair, but demands reaction. My defense of Strake is legitimate, the question is, will you show enough respect to consider it, or just keep trashing away?

And this is why no one will respect you. Your first message in this thread was to insult Katy fans. Then you get one here and refuse to listen to anyone else's point of view. You want everyone to see yours and yet refuse to listen to anyone else. Then when the dust settles you come on here acting high and mighty. I'm sorry pal, but go back and re-read your posts and you'll see how hypocritical your post is.

I will respect your opinion and even say that if private schools want to be in the UIL then let them....but here's the catch....1) They need a defined attendance zone 2) Scholarships are not allowed for those participating in extra curiculars 3) There coaches and staff must adhere to the same and I mean the exact same rules that apply to public school coaches and staff 4) If a person transfers in from another school, they must adhere to the UIL rules and sit out the correct amount of time. You can't just go to Marvin Zindler or threaten to sue when things aren't working in your favor 5) I'm sure there are more, but right now those things above seem fine.

[rwilleby]

I thought this was about the Strake - Katy Taylor game... Sure took a turn south...

For the record: I WAS at the Hastings and Mayde Creek game, sat on their side and pulled for their team... Both Hastings and Mayde Creek fans thanked us for being there... Some even moved closer so they could participate... One Hastings mom wanted to know why their own fans just sat on their hands and did not cheer. I'm told she even addressed the topic at the booster club meeting... The Hastings players enjoyed us cheering them on. They played better, tried harder and almost beat Strake (if not for their own mistakes they would have)...

We cheered for their team just like we do for our team... NO ONE in the area I sat in said anything about Strake in the form of trash talk... And we certainly didn't say anything to a player or coach... You are so missinformed... We pulled for AH and MC just like they were our team...

Don't confuse me pulling for your opponent as hating Strakes players, coaches, students or institution... I don't hate anyone at Strake... But also don't proclaim to being "all that" when you know the true "untested" story and choose to color it through your rose colored glasses...

I'll be at the Katy Taylor game in my RED shirt, pulling for them...