Freeman High School is playing varsity football for the first time, headlining a fall 2026 season in which all nine Katy ISD campuses are competing across football, volleyball, cross country and team tennis.
"It's our first varsity season, and we are fired up to have something to play for," Golden Eagles head coach Eric Robinson told The Katy News in a Sept. 9 preview.
Freeman's growth stretches beyond the gridiron. Volleyball head coach Katherine Parker said her program now has seniors who were there from the start. Cross country head coach Juan Jordan said the team enters a new district and division with its strongest roster yet.
At Katy High School, the standard is a state title. Head football coach Gary Joseph has led the Tigers since 2004, guiding five of the program's nine state championships. Katy went 10-3 with an 8-0 district record in 2025, according to Dave Campbell's Texas Football. The defense returns seven starters this fall, headlined by junior defensive back David Olutu-Judah, who recorded seven interceptions last season. Senior offensive lineman Isaac Coughran, a four-year letterman, anchors the line.
Katy's girls cross country program is chasing a title of its own. The squad finished third at the 2025 UIL state meet at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock with 90 points, behind champion Bridgeland and runner-up Lewisville Flower Mound, according to Covering Katy. Six Katy ISD teams qualified for the Class 6A state meet that year, tying a district record. The head coach told The Katy News the team returns a hungry core of experienced runners who know what it takes to compete for a championship.
Mayde Creek head football coach Mike Arogbonlo said this fall marks the first time since his arrival that the Rams completed a full offseason of preparation. Seven Lakes volleyball head coach Amy Cataline returns eight seniors.
All nine schools play in District 22-6A, an all-Katy ISD alignment that includes Cinco Ranch, Jordan, Morton Ranch, Paetow, Taylor and Tompkins.
Tompkins volleyball head coach Allison Merrell has a three-word motto for her squad: "Nobody Plays Harder."
