Senior Tony Manuel has rushed for 1,049 yards and 14 touchdowns through the first weeks of the 2026 season, and the Katy High School Tigers are unbeaten.

Manuel and junior CJ Watts, who has added 699 yards and seven scores on the ground, have powered Katy's run game through three weeks. The Katy High Paw Print reported the rushing totals on Sept. 14. The student newspaper credited an offseason emphasis on physical running for the early production.

The Tigers opened the season with a 28-17 win over Humble Atascocita on Aug. 29 at Legacy Stadium. That result earned Katy the No. 10 spot in the Class 6A state rankings, according to NBC DFW's Week 2 poll.

Katy climbed to No. 7 in the 6A rankings after a 42-24 win over Dickinson during the Sept. 3-5 slate, according to CW39's Week 3 poll published Sept. 8. As of Sept. 17, MaxPreps ranked the Tigers No. 23 in Texas with a 3-0 overall record and a 1-0 mark in UIL Class 6A District 22.

That district is new territory. Katy competed in District 19-6A last season, finishing 10-3 overall and 8-0 in district play. The program now shares District 22 with Katy ISD rivals Jordan and Cinco Ranch, among others.

Head coach Gary Joseph, now in his 44th year at Katy High School, set the tone before the season started. "I can't wait to see how our players and coaches rise to match or exceed the reputation and traditions of Katy High School," Joseph said in the Katy ISD fall sports preview released Aug. 31. Joseph has guided the Tigers to five state championships and eight state-finals appearances.

The district schedule now tightens. The Paw Print identified upcoming games against Jordan and Cinco Ranch as the matchups that will shape Katy's path to the postseason. Exact dates for those games have not been confirmed.

Katy's Week 3 district game against Katy Taylor was scheduled for Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. The Tigers' next test in district play comes as Manuel and Watts look to keep the ground game rolling.