Katy coach's take on Plano vs. SLC game

[PawPower]

Katy coach Mike Johnston's comments from a article in today's Plano Star Courier:

"Mike Johnston is a cheerleader for the underdog and he believes in Plano.
Once it was Johnston, an established coaching staff and Katy in this position. The Wildcats (13-0) are ranked No. 5 nationally by MaxPreps.com and at 1 p.m. Saturday become an underdog to Southlake Carroll (13-0), the No. 1 team in the MaxPreps.com national poll.

Johnston believes if any team is capable of beating Carroll, Plano has as good of chance as anyone.
"The thing Plano has going for them is that tradition they have," Johnston said. "Gerald (Brence) was there in 1994 when we made our first state championship appearance against them. They wore us out and taught us how to play in a state championship. When you think of Plano, you think of state champions."
Plano has a record seven state championships and will play in its 118th playoff game. Plano holds an 83-34 all-time playoff record and has appeared in 42 postseasons. It's the kind of tradition that can help counter Carroll's recent Class 5A success.
"I think its going to be one heck of a ballgame," Johnston said. "With the run Plano has had this year, you know they have a very good football team. If they can run the football, I think Plano can give Carroll a run of it.
"Carroll is going to make some plays. You have to understand that. The thing you have to do is put each play behind you and play the next one."
The exact manner in which Johnston and Katy beat Carroll was with a two-back power offense. He got two pass completions on deep posts that hadn't produced a catch all season. The tailback toss also worked to success. Those are all things Plano should have some success with.
"Having the success Plano has over the years," Johnston said, "I'd think a team like that would have a chance to beat Carroll."
From the scheme to the methodology, Katy and Plano are almost identical models. Katy had two Division I players when it beat Carroll's stocked team with college players abounding on both sides of the football.
Plano does not have a player committed to sign with a Division I program. Carroll has a quarterback and two receivers on the Rivals.com Top 100 state recruits list.
What Plano has is tradition and a desire to prove naysayers wrong. It's called 'Plano Mystique.' The Wildcats have listened to projections of their unbeaten season coming to a halt entering the past three playoff games. Plano's still here and Saturday intends to keep the third-best start in program history going."

Nice of Plano to teach them how to play in post season. I was there for that game. Plano dominated Katy that day.

[KatyTigerDad0407]

I love coach Johnston. Still see him at the games. What I got from that article is, Coach likes the underdog role, thinks Plano has a shot, Plano was instrumental in his developement of the Katy progrm.

Good article, wish the game were tonight, I'd go see it.

[PawPower]

I love coach Johnston. Still see him at the games. What I got from that article is, Coach likes the underdog role, thinks Plano has a shot, Plano was instrumental in his developement of the Katy progrm.

Good article, wish the game were tonight, I'd go see it.

He must be a good guy. I was at the game in 1994. I thought the team and fans from Katy represented their school well.

[nate]

After seeing Plano play a few times this postseason, I will agree that they do look a lot like Katy does. However, that's not to say there aren't big differences.

First, Katy's QBs are usually not threats to run on every play. Plano's QB is a good running QB and the SLC defense will have to play containment on him every snap.

Second, Plano's QB is not as good throwing the ball as Katy has had in the past several seasons. He's a good runner (as I stated above), and he has a real good arm, but he often telegraphs his throws and throws into coverage - leading to turnovers, which must be avoided in any upset over SLC.

Third, Plano's secondary may not be good enough to run with the Dragon WRs all game. If you look back to the '03 Championship Game, Katy's secondary was as good as the Dragon receiving corps. They made big plays throughout the game to keep Daniel and Co. from finding a rhythm. Plano has not seen a great passing team in the playoffs, and haven't faced a team that throws the ball with near the same efficiency as the Dragons all season. This, in my opinion, will be where the game turns.

Plano's defensive line is good - probably good enough to shut down most Newton runs and to get decent pressure on McElroy. But if the LBs and DBs give too much cushion or let the Dragon WRs run free, it could be a long day for the Wildcats.

I'll be there, so I, for one, hope its close.

[KatyTigerDad0407]

Us cats(Plano,Lufkin,Katy) could all possibly be taking on the Dragon in that order. That would be a tremendous feat for SLC.

Last year 12-1 Katy lost to 12-1 Lake in the R3 game so I believe that R1 and R2 are still the most exciting games this weekend. I don't think that you could say that 1 team is automatically gonna win. As a fan you could, but I'm sure the coaches aren't thinking that way.

I really hope the Headlines don't read "DODGE RUNS OVER 3 CATS IN TEXAS".
More like "DRAGON GETS BIT BY CAT for 2nd TIME".

Really great weekend in Texas.

[PlanoNative]

Carroll will get their big plays - no doubt about it. Key for Plano defense is to not get discouraged. They've made big plays of their own this season. The Flower Mound schools run a less effective version of Carroll's offense so at least they've been somewhat exposed.

Better have their headgear on tight tomorrow though. Can't wait for this one!!!

[katybacker]

I will agree, the Plano game was a defining moment in Katy football.

[PawPower]

After seeing Plano play a few times this postseason, I will agree that they do look a lot like Katy does. However, that's not to say there aren't big differences.

First, Katy's QBs are usually not threats to run on every play. Plano's QB is a good running QB and the SLC defense will have to play containment on him every snap.

Second, Plano's QB is not as good throwing the ball as Katy has had in the past several seasons. He's a good runner (as I stated above), and he has a real good arm, but he often telegraphs his throws and throws into coverage - leading to turnovers, which must be avoided in any upset over SLC.

Third, Plano's secondary may not be good enough to run with the Dragon WRs all game. If you look back to the '03 Championship Game, Katy's secondary was as good as the Dragon receiving corps. They made big plays throughout the game to keep Daniel and Co. from finding a rhythm. Plano has not seen a great passing team in the playoffs, and haven't faced a team that throws the ball with near the same efficiency as the Dragons all season. This, in my opinion, will be where the game turns.

Plano's defensive line is good - probably good enough to shut down most Newton runs and to get decent pressure on McElroy. But if the LBs and DBs give too much cushion or let the Dragon WRs run free, it could be a long day for the Wildcats.

I'll be there, so I, for one, hope its close.


Don't be surprised if Plano uses number 11 to pass some. He started for the JV (undefeated with him at QB). He runs well, but can pass better than our starter. He's taller and has a stronger arm. Also, the starter has risen to the situation this season and got key passes completed when they needed it.

Also, Plano probably has the best place kicker in the playoffs. He has kicked FG's over 50 yds. last year and this year. I think his longest was 56 last year. He often send the kickoff straight through the goal posts.

[AZTiger]

He most be a good guy. I was at the game in 1994. I thought the team and fans from Katy represented their school well.

Saying Coach Johnston is a "good guy" does him a great injustice. This man is like a second father to almost two generations of Katy Tiger football players. I was very privileged to play for him and his staff.

[PawPower]

Saying Coach Johnston is a "good guy" does him a great injustice. This man is like a second father to almost two generations of Katy Tiger football players. I was very privileged to play for him and his staff.


I meant it as a compliment!

[TrojanHorse03]

Let me provide a sharp warning while Plano and Katy are they same when it comes to mental toughness, however there's a distinct difference in the Xs and Os in how they play football. Katy is a true power team, while Plano's offense as everyone is aware of favors the option. I warn you, I have studied Carroll's defense their actually very good when it comes to the aspects of assignments and pursuit. My short and sweet prognosis is run straight at them/playaction on first down, run at them no matter what on second down, and bust out the option on third down to pressure the D. In basketball terms if Mark Sfikas is Kobe Bryant Plano loses, if Sfikas is Steve Nash and sets the table for everybody else Plano winning chances increase dramatically.

[PawPower]

Let me provide a sharp warning while Plano and Katy are they same when it comes to mental toughness, however there's a distinct difference in the Xs and Os in how they play football. Katy is a true power team, while Plano's offense as everyone is aware of favors the option. I warn you, I have studied Carroll's defense their actually very good when it comes to the aspects of assignments and pursuit. My short and sweet prognosis is run straight at them/playaction on first down, run at them no matter what on second down, and bust out the option on third down to pressure the D. In basketball terms if Mark Sfikas is Kobe Bryant Plano loses, if Sfikas is Steve Nash and sets the table for everybody else Plano winning chances increase dramatically.

I like your diagnosis.

It will be interesting to see what Plano does on offense. When they played Allen, Plano ran but also used the pass a lot to spread out the defense. They completed several long passes. Against Flower Mound (another spread offense that puts up a lot of points) Plano ground it out on the ground and then threw a few late passes to win it.

Brence lives for these type of games. In the run to the 1994 state championship, he played it pretty conservative during the first few playoff games and then he really mixed things up on offense with plays we had not seen all year. I’m sure the brain trust from Plano will have a few surprises on offense.

[Sakatha]

Don't be surprised if Plano uses number 11 to pass some. He started for the JV (undefeated with him at QB). He runs well, but can pass better than our starter. He's taller and has a stronger arm. Also, the starter has risen to the situation this season and got key passes completed when they needed it.

Also, Plano probably has the best place kicker in the playoffs. He has kicked FG's over 50 yds. last year and this year. I think his longest was 56 last year. He often send the kickoff straight through the goal posts.

I would imagine the highly recruited kicker from A&M Consol would have a little somethin' to say about that statement...

~DnM

[TrojanHorse03]

I like your diagnosis.

It will be interesting to see what Plano does on offense. When they played Allen, Plano ran but also used the pass a lot to spread out the defense. They completed several long passes. Against Flower Mound (another spread offense that puts up a lot of points) Plano ground it out on the ground and then threw a few late passes to win it.

Brence lives for these type of games. In the run to the 1994 state championship, he played it pretty conservative during the first few playoff games and then he really mixed things up on offense with plays we had not seen all year. I’m sure the brain trust from Plano will have a few surprises on offense.

The biggest thing that sticks with me about Plano v. Southlake is how underrated Coach Mendoza is for Southlake. When people look at the ridiculous scores Southlake puts, the thing that the numbers don't tell them is how much points that Southlake gets from field goals and defense. My point is to keep down Southlakes points it requires execution and discipline not only by ur defense but by YOUR offense and YOUR special teams so its not so easy for their offense. Back to Coach Mendoza his defense has a unique objective that most other defenses don't have. His defense's primary goal is score or no score that the opposing offense isnt on the field for a long time, and second to pressure offenses anxious for big plays in to playing outside of their game and making turnovers. The key for Plano is no huge losses on sniffed out options or sacks on first and second down, and then put pressure on Southlake's defense with the option on third down.

[AZTiger]

I meant it as a compliment!

Oh I know! I was just saying there aren't words that can described the good in Coach J.