What is the best football tradition school in Texas

[WOS92]

if you are going strictly by "tradition" and not most titles or anything else of that sort it would definately have to be PN-G...you tell me one other team in the state that remotely compares to PN-G and i would gladly go shake their hand...and then scalp em'

Odessa Permian, without question. PN-G has a great "tradition." The best in the area without a doubt. But there is no comparison in Texas to Permian. Books, several movies (Friday Night Lights, Varsity Blues), and a TV series have been based on the program. Just say "MOJO" and people know what you're talking about - some even rip you off

[besbolbenbedygud]

Now this is just my opinion, yet I'm sure it will be taken as stepping on toes....sorry in advance......It is my understanding that best tradition would have to be something set at an early part of a teams existence and is somewhat still alive today...........I think it has taken place at places like Permian and PN-G.....

to start....Since '89 I think Art Briles is probably the savior of Stephenville football.  Not many opponents have done to well since his arrival followed up by Copeland and Morris......In the last 17 years Stephenville has been to the playoffs 16 times  going to the finals in 6 and winning its four titles in those 17 years.  Not mentioning three 16-0 seasons and one at 15-1..........................but

before '89 as far as playoffs go....Stephenville was pretty much non existent.  From 1953-1988 (35 years) Stephenville did not qualify for the playoffs.  From the start, 1920, to 1988 Stephenville was only a playoff team 7 times. In those 60 years Stephenville has 36 sub .500 seasons........and went 309-283-25..........Now with that being said........

I don't see anything, except maybe school spirit, that could effect any one's thinking about Stephenville having a top 'traditional' football program from start to today.........I would definitely agree that one has 'newly' been established, since '89, (no doubt) but as far as longevity............IMO.....no

[WOS92]

But if we're looking at it from a winning point of view, PN-G has only won 62 percent of its games over the last 75 years or so. I think PN-G has earned the "traditional program" designation based on school spirit and such more than on actual football dominance. If we were basing this argument on that, neither Stephenville nor PN-G would be in the top 50 teams based on consistent winning percentage (http://www.setxsports.com/forum/index.php?topic=3367.0). I don't think strictly winning was what this thread was originally about.

[jmspears3]

Now this is just my opinion, yet I'm sure it will be taken as stepping on toes....sorry in advance......It is my understanding that best tradition would have to be something set at an early part of a teams existence and is somewhat still alive today...........I think it has taken place at places like Permian and PN-G.....

to start....Since '89 I think Art Briles is probably the savior of Stephenville football.  Not many opponents have done to well since his arrival followed up by Copeland and Morris......In the last 17 years Stephenville has been to the playoffs 16 times  going to the finals in 6 and winning its four titles in those 17 years.  Not mentioning three 16-0 seasons and one at 15-1..........................but

before '89 as far as playoffs go....Stephenville was pretty much non existent.  From 1953-1988 (35 years) Stephenville did not qualify for the playoffs.  From the start, 1920, to 1988 Stephenville was only a playoff team 7 times. In those 60 years Stephenville has 36 sub .500 seasons........and went 309-283-25..........Now with that being said........

I don't see anything, except maybe school spirit, that could effect any one's thinking about Stephenville having a top 'traditional' football program from start to today.........I would definitely agree that one has 'newly' been established, since '89, (no doubt) but as far as longevity............IMO.....no

This is about school traditions not state titles

and SVille has been to the finals 4 times winning all 4

[besbolbenbedygud]

I don't know many great 'football traditions' where you can leave "a winning point of view" out.....They had to be somewhat successful early on.......or what's the point

If you don't get out of your area......early in existence......who's going to know you except the 10 or less teams you face each year.....  I mentioned in 60 years Stephenville has had 36 seasons with a less than .500 record.....('20 to '88) should be 68 years :correcting my math:  PN-G started in '25 and only had 18 losing seasons, in the same time span to '93

Port Neches, for a few moments in time, was dominant on the football field (early 50's and 70's)...The success on the filed bleed over to school spirit..........CHEROKEE was not played at PNG until the late '40's and the fight song was not written until '60......Tradition to me is a combination of many things............ winning has to be one of them, or again....what's the point?? ....I see I missed-read the 4 trips and 4 titles...my bad.....what i didn't miss was......Stephenville had one trip to the post season in 47 years.........'41 to '88........since '89  that's a brand new chapter.........congrat's on the "recent success" we could use some in Southeast Texas.........

What attributes, besides just saying you have a top tradition in Texas, does Stephenville have then???

WO-S= win's.........there is no argument in that......who would dare try............

[besbolbenbedygud]

This is about school traditions not state titles

and SVille has been to the finals 4 times winning all 4

I don't think I mentioned anyone but y'all winning state titles....and I did it in a positive way.....so I wasn't trying to make it about state titles......

[jmspears3]

I don't think I mentioned anyone but y'all winning state titles....and I did it in a positive way.....so I wasn't trying to make it about state titles......

I am not saying that Sville has the most tradition, but in my short time here, The traditions include The CanFans, Voted Loudest fans in Tx, Blue & Yellow Day every Friday during football season, Coffee with the Coaches, there is more.

I am not disagreeing with you on their recent success, but Traditions have to get started somewhere whether it 1989 or 1959.

PNG has fallen on some hard times as of late...does that make them have less tradition, I think not.

[PNGspirit07]

agreed...one reason is because we have fans not cans...

[lsu_fan_07]

dont forget about them newton eagles...they are a super team with a lot of speed!!! better watch your back

[hj1]

Permian and Stephenville

[WOS92]

agreed...one reason is because we have fans not cans...

OMG... You didn't just throw that out there, did you? I feel a little sick...  :-\

[stevieray]

just imagine how much louder it would be if y'all had cans....And I can promise you that if the state game would have been played closer to home (texas stadium), we would have brought at least 20,000 people....PNG has great fans that are loud, there is no doubt about that.  The can fans are a great tradition in Stephenville. 

[AggiesAreWe]

In all honesty, this thread should have been stopped when the school Odessa Permian was mentioned. If this thread is about THE BEST and not the top 5 or top 10 tradition schools, then it's Permian, hands down.

[CATMAN]

SEALY TIGERS-------what a record------what a football town

[stevieray]

SEALY TIGERS-------what a record------what a football town

I agree

[TradinUp BH]

Katy Tigers have to be mentioned somewhere in there. And they pack the stands as much as anybody.

KATY TIGERS FOOTBALL

A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE

STATE CHAMPIONS

1959, 1997, 2000, 2003

State Finalists

1959, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005

State Semi-Finalists

1959, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005

State Quarter-Finalists

1959, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

Regional Semi-Finalists

1992, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

      Nick Georgandis- Katy Times Photo

Area Finalists

1959, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

Bi-District Finalists

1959, 1963, 1964, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

Region Champions

1959, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005

District Champions

1948, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1986, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

Ten or More Win Seasons

1959, 1963, 1964, 1986, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

Undefeated District Record

1959, 1986, 1989, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006

Undefeated Seasons

1959 (15-0), 1998 (15-0), 2000 (16-0)

Undefeated Regular Seasons

1959, 1986, 1989, 1998, 2000, 2005, 2006

Longest Overall Winning Streak

1997-1999:  33

1958-1960:  27

2003-2004:  23

                                                      Reyna Photography

Longest District Winning Streak

1996-2001: 34

5A State Playoff Record (since 1980)

54-15

All-Time Best 5A State Playoff Records

1. Converse Judson (77-16, 83%)

2. Katy (54-15, 79%)

3. Odessa Permian (52-11-5, 77%)

4. Midland Lee (45-16, 75%)

5. Plano (44-15, 76%)

                                                      Katy Times Photo

Longest Playoff Winning Streak

1997-1999: 15

2003-2004:  9

First Varsity Season

1939

Overall Program Record (1939-current)

412-259-18...through Cy Falls, 2006

Team Records (Since 1990)

1990 (5-5), 1991 (8-4), 1992 (11-3), 1993 (8-3), 1994 (13-2), 1995 (9-3), 1996 (10-2), 1997 (14-1), 1998 (15-0), 1999 (14-2), 2000 (16-0), 2001 (8-4), 2002 (11-4), 2003 (15-1), 2004 (12-2), 2005 (14-1), 2006 (13-1)

Texas Players of the Year

Bill Jatzlau, RB, 1994 (Houston Chronicle)

Rusty Bucy, LB, 1997 (Texas Sportswriters)

James Aston, RB, 2004 (Touchdown Club)

All-American Players

Carlos Rocha, OL, 1994

Eric Heitmann, OL, 1997

59 Champs- From 1960 Tiger Echo

All-State Players

J.J. Adams, P, 1989

Daniel Wittman, DB, 1992

Joey Broussard, RB, 1992

Steve De La Torre, OL, 1993

Ryan Nugent, K, 1996-1997

Eric Heitmann, OL, 1997

Rusty Bucy, LB, 1997

Lance Redmon, DL, 1998

Trey Landers, OL, 1998

Bronston Carroll, RB, 1998

Robby McDaniel, DB, 1998-1999

Adrian Guerra, DL, 1999

John Lawrence, DB, 2000

Keith Mouton, WR, 2000

Matt Nesbitt, LB, 2000

Chris Sciba, OL, 2000

Jamel Branch, RB, 2000

Jacob Jones, C, 2000

Jeff Joseph, DB, 2000

Dennis Phillips, OL, 2000

Joel Moore, DL, 2000

Travis McPherson, OL, 2002

Joseph Longacre, OL, 2003

Ryan Mouton, DB, 2003

Brandon Szymczyk, P-K, 2003

James Aston, RB, 2003-2004

Eman Naghavi, OL, 2004

Paul Thornton, LB, 2004

Will Thompson, DB, 2004-2005

Andy Dalton, QB, 2005

Michael Fuda, WR, 2005

                              Nick Georgandis- Katy Times Photo

                                      San Antonio Express-News

NFL Tigers

Jorge Diaz, OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (KHS football 1991)

Eric Heitmann, OL, San Francisco 49ers (KHS football 1997)

State Records Set

James Aston, RB, 2003- Individual Rushing Carries in a Championship Game (34)

Jamel Branch, RB, 1999- Individual Rushing Yards in a Championship Game (249)

* Branch's mark was topped by Cedric Benson (Midland Lee, 2000) the next season, and was previously held by Jerrod Douglas (Converse Judson, 1993).

Additional Program Achievements

Houston Chronicle 5A Team of the 90's- Total Record (107-25)

Coach Mike Johnston inducted into THSCA Hall of Fame (August 2007)

Eight Consecutive Pre-Season Top 10 Rankings by Dave Campbell's Texas Football Magazine (1998-present)

Team of the Year- 5A Texas Football.com, 2000

#1 AP Final State Ranking, 2000

#1 AP Final Regular Season State Ranking, 1998

8 District Championships in a Row: 1994-2001

#6 National Ranking by USA Today 2000 Final Poll

#7 National Ranking by USA Today 1997 Final Poll

#13 National Ranking by PrepNation 2003 Pre-Season Poll

First Annual HEB Texas Football Classic Participant 1999, Won 21-7 over Converse Judson

Tiger Quotes

"In this day and time, it is easy to look out for No. 1, but if you do that, then only you and maybe your immediate family are happy for you.  Sports is more than just winning. Sure, you want to win, but this is a tool to teach young men how to become leaders -- good husbands and good fathers. If you're going to be a good husband and father, then you have to learn how to put somebody before you. That's what we teach. When we're all working towards the same goal, then the individual success will take care of itself. That's why we play so many kids. They're all important to us." - Mike Johnston

"For me and my kids, Katy football is defined as being unselfish. One of the reasons our defense is so successful is that we have a good offense.  All the coaches work well together."- Gary Joseph during 2002 playoffs

"Excellence is perfection.  We try to make sure that our kids are as well-coached as they need to be. They have to understand what we are doing to understand what we want.  They need to understand not what they're doing just at their positions, but at all positions. That is striving for perfection, but that is also being excellent."- Gary Joseph

"We always want the best for them (players), but true leadership comes from within.  I think the captains have as much to say as the coaches. And they are excellent leaders. Their peers know them well, and they pick great captains. It's not the Mike Johnston program or the Gary Joseph program. It's the Katy Tigers football program."- Mike Johnston

"Never, never, never, never give up."- Jason Debusk

"People look at the bracket and they see teams like Odessa Permian, Plano and Converse Judson.  And then they see Katy .  'Where the heck is Katy ?'  That's what they all want to ask.  But we're not surprised to be here.  Maybe it's good that nobody knows about us.  Maybe they'll overlook us and we'll surprise some people."- Tiger RB Bill Jatzlau in 1994 prior to the Tigers' semi-final game against two-time defending champ Converse Judson.  Katy beat Judson 42-19 that weekend.

"We didn't win because of talent.  We won it with heart.  These guys are the greatest guys in the world.  These coaches are the greatest coaches in the world.  The 1997 Katy Tigers dared to dream, and we lived that dream because God blessed us."- Tiger LB Rusty Bucy after 1997 state championship win over Longview

"We pound on people.  We pound on people because we're bigger and stronger.  We pound people and beat them down.  We pound them.  Pound, pound, pound." - Tiger OL Walter Wigfall after 1997 state championship win

"When Drew went down, I begged the coaches to let me go in at receiver.  I was tired at the end, but I was playing with the heart that the Katy Tigers show every day."- Tiger DB/WR Ryan Mouton following state title win against Southlake Carroll

“We never stopped believing, no matter what the scoreboard said.  We play all out for four quarters with the eye of the Tiger.â€- Tiger WR Bobby Harris in 2005 after state quarterfinal win over Cy Falls.  The Tigers scored 15 points in the final 89 seconds to win the game.

"When excellence becomes tradition, greatness has no limits."

[Dragon]

Did some research.  Looks like Dallas Highland Park

3 state titles    2 runner up    3 rd most victories all time 

Also looks like most playoff victories and district titles

Only school to win 60% of games per decade, 8 decades in a row.

[WOS92]

Compared to HP, WO-S has two state titles, two runners up, BEST winning percentage all time - almost 80 percent per decade. We have only been around for three decades. When I think of the schools that define TX HS football, HP is not one of them. No offense, just an observation.

[lamarex]

Gosh, I would have suspected that LaMarque had about the best name recognition of any team around. Especially for a school with between 900 and 1000 enrollment. Thanks for the enlightment. (sp)?

[WOS92]

Really, when it comes to "name recognition," it begins and ends with Odessa Permian. Period.

[Ned11str8]

Nederland

[WOS92]

Ned has a really good program going right now, but if there is a team in that district that qualifies as "best tradition school," I would say PN-G.

[1971Coogs]

Nine  time  State  Finalist  -  Five  Time  State  Champion

  More victories than any team in Texas during the '90's

[BMTSoulja1]

: : :...They have my respect though.  ;)

[1971Coogs]

: : :...They have my respect though.  ;)

As well as your program there in Beaumont. 

I take great pride in providing as much coverage as possible for our program. There are so many athletes out there today that do not have the means or support to advance to college.  I try my best to give La Marque athletes a tool to show others what they have done on the field with my videos and highlights. If I can help one student obtain a scholarship with my efforts,  they will not be in vain.