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| KATY - The lunchtime crowd at Jill's Restaurant was talking football Wednesday. They really had no choice in the matter since Jill DesLauriers, owner of the popular Katy restaurant and the woman responsible for feeding the Katy Tigers before games this season, made it a point to pay a visit to each table.
"Going to the game?" DesLauriers asked as she delivered a large plate overflowing with french fries and chicken fried steak to a table of four. The game in question is Saturday's Class 5A, Division I Texas Bowl between the 14-0 Longview Lobos and the 13-1 Katy Tigers at Houston's Astrodome. Katy, located approximately 30 miles west of Houston, won its only football state championship in 1959. The team played for a state title and lost in 1994 - the year before DesLauriers began serving breakfast to the Katy football team and coaching staff before each away game and before each playoff game. The sign outside Jill's restaurant, located just off the Main Street that runs through eh town of 10,000 and change, reads "It Must Be Fate. We're Going To State." It could be fate, but it might also be Mrs. DesLauriers' chicken fried state. "This," DesLauriers said pointing to the plate,"is what the boys eat before every game. The chicken fried streak is what I'm known for. Those guys are big, and boy can they eat." DesLauriers moved to Katy 12 years ago, and she began serving up her locally-famous chicken fried steak dinners out of a house originally built in 1904 and recently expanded to accommodate more than 200 patrons. DesLauriers said she is a bit worried about her team's chances Saturday against No. 1-ranked Longview. The Lobos, she admitted, will pose a formidable challenge for her beloved Tigers. It's a task made all the more difficult since Katy will have its pre-game routine altered due to the scheduled noon kickoff. "With the early game, coach (Mike) Johnston doesn't want the kids eating chicken fried steak. It's too heavy a meal," she explained. "The kids aren't happy. I guess we'll have to settle for pancakes. We usually get here around 4 a.m. to fix the chicken fried steaks. Do you realize how early we are going to have to get here Saturday to fix pancakes for all of those kids? According to Cullen Dauchy, who runs the Katy Veterinary Clinic and has served as president of the school's booster club for the last three years, little has been routine in Katy this week. "As you might imagine, spirit are very high in Katy right now," said Dauchy, a 26-year resident of the town. "The Katy community is solidly behind the football team. It always has been, but this year is special." The 1994 season was also a special year for Katy, one that ended with a trip to the state finals and led to several adjustments leading up to Saturday's game. The Tigers finished 9-1 in the regular season in 1994 and then notched playoff wins over Alief Hastings (34-3), Lamar (28-10), Beaumont West Brook (31-28) and Converse Judson (42-19) to reach the state finals for just the second time in school history. According to DesLauriers, the town showed up in force the day before the state title game against perennial powerhouse Plano. The team and coaching staff rode through town on fire trucks, but low-handing trees and tall fire trucks proved to be a dangerous combination. "We aren't have a parade before the game this year. I think it's partly because coach Johnston doesn't want the players to be distracted, but also because the last time we did it we almost had several players and coaches knocked out by tree limbs," DesLauriers said with a laugh. Katy, perhaps distracted by the pre-game hype and a close call with Mother Nature, dropped a 28-7 decision to Plano the following day. Bill Moebes, a 1971 Katy graduate, isn't worried about parades and pep rallies. Moebes, who had one son - Todd - on the 1994 state finalist team and another - Trey - on this year's squad, is simply ready for some football. "I don't know if I can wait until Saturday. I'm ready to play now," said Moebes. "It should be a dogfight. I know Longview has a good team, but so do we. It's going to be a war." Moebes said having two sons play for state championships has been an unforgettable experience. "It's been great to able to watch them play at this level," Moebes said. "We were 2A - and not a very good one - when I played. I had no idea it could be like this." Tommy Dixon, a confessed non-football fan and the owner of Katy Hardware, said it has been easy to become wrapped up in the excitement that's running rampant in the town. "Football isn't my game, but I have enjoyed seeing the community become so excited about the team," Dixon said. "This town is buzzing." |