Texas High Winning Tradition Expected to Continue

Texas High has a new Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, but one thing that is not likely to change, is the Tigers winning ways.

Gerry Stanford takes over at the helm for Barry Norton, who left after a lengthy tenure to coach across the state line at Arkansas High.

Stanford says the off season has gone well, and that the kids are adapting to some changes and doing a great job. Stanford is impressed with the amount of athletic talent in the district. The Tigers are coming off a season where they went undefeated in the regular season and boast a very senior laden led team in 2017.

Stanford says the Tigers will be running a multiple offense and pointed out some players on that side of the ball to watch for. They include Quarterback Coltin Clack, Wide Receiver Tevaialnce Hunt, Running Back Chris Sutton, and Lineman Elias Bustos.

On defense, the Tigers will run a 3-4 scheme, which means 3 down linemen, and 4 linebackers. Some of the defensive players to watch for include, Linemen Leonard Parks, Jaylin Franklin, and Devonte Harper, along with Cornerback Darrel Webster.

On special teams the Tigers will employ Logan Snell, and Riley Russell.

As for coaches, Stanford did bring some of his assistants at his previous job with him to join others who were already on the Tiger staff. These include, Offensive coaches, Clint Toon and Mike Ludlow, Defensive coach Gregg Miller and Special Teams Coordinator Al Wilson.

Coach Stanford looks for a tough district schedule this season saying, "Our district is very even and each team has a lot of returners. I think it will be highly competitive every game."

This year's cross town rivalry game will take on extra meaning this year. Texas High had dominated the series since the arrival of Barry Norton in the late 1990's. Now that Norton is running the Arkansas High program and Stanford brings new energy to Texas High, it should be very interesting and exciting. Coach Stanford says, "It will be a great atmosphere to play in."

This year's Texas High vs. Arkansas High game is slated for Friday, September 8th with an 8PM kickoff at Razorback Stadium.

Even though the coach is new for the Tigers, expectations are that the same old winning ways will continue at Texas High. The Texas High fan base is pumped and hopeful for not only at great regular season, but a long playoff run as well.