There’s a reason why midway through the 2020 season the entire state collectively shrieked at the possibility of Katy dropping down to 6A DII.

The powerhouse Tigers (15-1) steamrolled their way to their ninth state title with a 51-14 win over Cedar Hill (12-3) Saturday inside AT&T Stadium in the 6A DII state championship. Katy joins Aledo and Richland Springs as the only UIL programs with at least nine titles.

The game plan was complete, dominant, methodical and 100 percent Katy. And the Tigers wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Katy’s first touchdown came off a vintage play-action rollout pass from sophomore Caleb Koger to a wide-open Taylor Saulsberry. The play was set up by five consecutive running plays that primed the Cedar Hill defense for the read.

After forcing Longhorn quarterback Kaidon Salter into an interception, Katy running back Jalen Davis punched it in from three yards out. And just before halftime, Isaiah Smith burst through the Cedar Hill defense on a wrap-around draw for 55 yards.

“It’s one of those years that you’ll always remember because of just what we went through to get to this point,” Katy head coach Gary Joseph said. “I’m extremely proud for the kids and of the kids and it’s a very special time.

“Ain’t nothing easy about this. It’s a process and things aren’t cheap and they’re tough to do. It’s why I admire these coaches so much in the end.”

The Tigers ran it nearly 50 times, mostly under center in traditional pro formations, something Cedar Hill admitted to never having to game plan for prior to the game. The Tigers ran for nearly 300 yards behind the Davis brothers, Jalen and Seth. Seth, the younger brother was named the game’s MVP with 123 yards and a touchdown on the ground averaging nearly nine yards per carry.

“I think I learned a lot from him, and he learned a lot from me,” Jalen Davis said. “I love him more than anything and I’m blessed to share the backfield with him for this team.”

The Longhorns were shut out in the first half and scored both of their touchdowns late in the third quarter on the back of the future Tennessee Volunteer, Salter. Defensively, Katy forced the Longhorns into two first-half interceptions and two fumbles, recovering one. Salter finished with 112 yards passing and 46 yards on the ground.

“I thought we were as prepared as we could be, and our team just didn’t execute well today,” Cedar Hill head coach Carlos Lynn said. “We had some things that we couldn’t do and in a game of this magnitude, those are the things that will get you beat ultimately.”

The methodical Katy offense controlled the clock and held possession for nearly 30 minutes compared to just 19 for Cedar Hill.

“The big part of our team is kids that are unselfish,” Joseph said. “They’re willing to give up tackles and things for the betterment of the team and I think they were very unselfish today.”