Katy grooming next wave of stars

Coming off a Texas Class 5A championship, the Katy Tigers are looking to reload for 2008.

It will be tough to replace the likes of running back Aundre Dean (UCLA), quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell (SMU), Ryan Doerr (South Carolina) and defensive standout Trent Hunter (Texas A&M), but Tiger coach Gary Joseph and his staff are used to high expectations and retooling their highly-successful program.

Slotted in at running back in 2008 is Michael Webber, who sat out 2007 with a knee injury. The 5-foot-6, 185-pounder is a banger between the tackles, but has enough speed to get on the outside. He will be running behind fullback Chris Roberson (6-1, 210-pounds) and linemen Cameron Travis (6-3, 250-pounds) and Austin Sumrall (6-6, 275-pounds).

Roberson is also being recruited as a deep-snapper by several Big 12 schools.

At quarterback will be either senior Parker Ray, whose brother played for the 2003 Katy Tigers, or 6-foot-2 junior Michael Stojkovic.

Defensively, junior Sam Hall and Micah Marks will be leading the Tigers' stingy unit. Hall started several games as a sophomore and can cover some ground at outside linebacker. Marks, who is also an ultimate fighter, is a versatile defender with a tremendous motor. A future Division I prospect in Katy's program is Caleb Gary, the son of former NFL player Cleveland Gary. He will be working his way up the ranks his sophomore season as a 6-foot-3, 200-pound defensive end.

One thing working against Katy this season is a tough non-district schedule. The Tigers open up with Galena Park North Shore, before games with The Woodlands, Flower Mound Marcus, Beaumont Westbrook and Cy-Bay of Florida.

It's tough being the champs.