From March to the end of November, the Texas High Tigers toiled for their chance to play for the UIL 5A Division II State Championship. However, on November 29, the Texas Tigers’ 2024 football season ended when Port Neches-Groves defeated the Tigers in their third round of playoffs. Although the Tigers played hard, they ultimately lost 28-31.

The Tigers’ overall record of 12-1 impressed fans and college coaches. Together, the Tigers used grit, courage, and patience to produce an outstanding season. 

“I think that the most impressive part was… when we were playing as a team,” Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Gerry Stanford said. “When we truly had all cylinders, when we were playing together as a team, practicing together as a team, focused as a team.”

Although the game was essentially about size and strategy, Texas High’s cohesiveness set them apart from the crowd.

“I think the Texas Tigers, Texas High, in particular, their locker room is a real-life form,” Booster Club President Billy Lavender said. “You know, social economic, to the color of your skin, to the way people treat each other, it’s a representation of America, and that not only sets these guys up for success in football,…but they teach them how to be better Americans.”

Like many seniors, Frank Delk was emotional when ending the game and has reflected on their season. From there, they can move forward with college and life.

“This year I feel like my biggest accomplishment was kicking the school record field goal,” Delk said. “I feel like the entire team had a great accomplishment finishing the regular season 10-0… This will give me confidence going into college because of the trust my coaches had in me and because of how I played.”

While the players themselves have this year to look back on, the coaches use their years of experience together to further Texas High’s Football program. Their friendships and trust create a backbone for the football team. 

“The coaches, most all of us, we’ve been doing this for a long time,” Stanford said. “It’s my 26th year coaching and . . . the majority of our staff has been here for eight seasons now, . . . so theirs a true continuity within our staff that we trust each other,.. and when you have that continuity, you can do a lot of special things.”

This year’s Texas High Tigers Football has shown promise and honorable traits both on and off the field, transitioning them into their next stage of life.

“In this case, I think we had a team here who really trusted each other and liked each other on and off the field,” Stanford said. “And for the most part, we’re committed to being the best that they can be in all phases, and I think that showed on the field on Friday nights.”