Preparing for Victory

Tiger football embraces change for a stronger team

Story by Palin Nichols, Sports Editor

August 21, 2025

Senior Peyton Walker tackles a player on the opposing team during the Orange vs White Watermelon Supper scrimmage. Under the new leadership of senior quarterback Kameron Wrightner, the team works to build chemistry and adapt to his style of play, which challenges defenses and demands a versatile approach.

Story by Grant Spicher and Rece Beaird

With the upcoming football season on the horizon, the Texas High Tigers emphasize ongoing growth through intensive practice, strength development and careful planning. Drawing motivation from last year’s success and aiming to go beyond past accomplishments, they adopt a focused, day-by-day approach to training. Backed by a strong community and teamwork, Tiger football plans to achieve a victorious season and leave a lasting impact on the field.

Under the new leadership of senior quarterback Kameron Wrightner, the team works to build chemistry and adapt to his style of play, which challenges defenses and demands a versatile approach. Strengthening the offensive and defensive lines, along with developing the physical and mental resilience of players lays a strong foundation for success.

“I think the biggest thing [is] just getting in shape, getting acclimated to the heat and just the overall strength and conditioning [for] what we’re trying to produce,” Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Gerry Stanford said. “So mentally and physically getting them acclimated to the speed and intensity of a game is the biggest challenge.”

Practice and workouts are vital for improvement. Increasing size, speed, strength and mental resilience contributes to more wins. Also, the increase in the amount of underclassmen benefits the team and will play a tremendous part in attaining victory through the upcoming season.

“We start with spring ball, and that’s a chance for us to get a look at a lot of our younger kids,” Stanford said. “Then [we] move into summer, and they get a chance to get in shape and get stronger.”

Throughout summer, seven-on-seven games against nearby teams help athletes build connections, especially with a new quarterback leading the team. Wrightner steps in, bringing a fresh style of play to the field.

“I don’t think people understand the amount of pressure that goes into being a quarterback,” Stanford said. “[Everything he] has to go through and [prepare for] takes place within a week.”

With the unwavering support and encouragement from his teammates and coaches, Wrightner possesses the confidence and determination to achieve anything he dedicates himself to.

“I think the biggest adjustment is going to be for the defensive side of the ball,” Stanford said. “[Kameron] forces defenses to have to plan for all 11 [players] instead of just 10. With his ability to be explosive in the run game, it forces defenses to be a little more sound, making sure they can contain him and what he can do with his feet.”

While major changes don’t serve as the main focus, small adjustments hold a significant role. To build mass, weight and size, the amount of weight lifted on the bar becomes crucial.

About the Contributors

Palin Nichols, Sports Editor

Junior, Palin Nichols, a second-year member of publications and now Sports Editor, wants to go on to college to get a four-year degree and go to law school. Besides playing softball, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing with her English Bulldog and binge-watching Netflix shows. With two years left at Texas High, she plans to make the most of her time and get an Associate’s Degree by the time she graduates.

Grant Spicher, Photographer, Videographer

Grant Spicher is a third-year photographer and videographer for Tiger Times Online and THS Publications/Student Media. He hasn’t told anyone this, but whenever he is not at school, he is protecting the city from danger and crime. He is Spider-Man. Although his heroism is limited, he plans to focus on his career by attending Texas A&M University to study creative media and continue his journey in sports media.

Rece Beaird, Podcast Manager, Photographer

Rece Beaird is a junior at Texas High School. Beaird has been involved in publications for three years as a photographer and podcast manager. Beaird participates in Quill and Scroll, Rosebuds, Key Club, and the Lady Tigers Soccer team. She plans to attend UT Arlington, majoring in pre-law and minoring in broadcasting. While Beaird isn’t at school, she is saving the night with her partner in crime, Leighton Kelems. Beaird is already counting down the days until she graduates, just over 600 days to go.

Fernando Olalde, visual journalist

Fernando Olalde is a first-year media staff photographer. Olalde enjoys swimming and is part of the Texas High Swim Team. He enjoys learning new facts about random subjects just in case he may need it for a conversation starter that will most likely give him an interesting reaction. Olalde also enjoys binge watching random shows while eating chips.

Leah Crow, Photographer

Leah Crow is a junior at Texas High School and returning for her second year on the publications staff as a visual journalist and also a first year staff member of Yearbook. She has a strong passion for storytelling through photography and has received recognition at both the state and national levels for her work. Leah is also a proud member of the Texas Imagemaker Team, which honors the top student photographers in Texas. Outside of publications, she enjoys spending time with friends, playing softball, listening to music, and learning new things. Leah is excited to continue growing as a photojournalist and capturing the moments that make this year special.

Zoey Mcintosh, visual journalist

Zoey McIntosh is a second year staff photographer for Tiger Times. She focuses most of her time running for cross country. Despite how dreadful it may sound, she actually really loves it, so much so that she runs themed 5ks or half marathons outside of practice. While running sounds like McIntosh’s only hobby, it actually isn’t, she also enjoys reading any time she possibly can. She is involved in science club (mostly for the doughnuts). McIntosh is so excited for this year in publications.

Yaneira Mendoza, Photo Editor, Photographer

Yaneira Mendoza is a Senior and a third-year returning staff photographer for THS Publications. Yaneira is involved in Rosebuds Junior Garden Club, National Honor Society, Quill & Scroll and Key Club. Her favorite TV show is “Bob’s Burgers” and her all-time favorite movie is “Everything Everywhere All at Once”. She loves to build LEGO and spend time with her family. For this year, she hopes to get into a college and graduate from high school.

Annie Smith, Social Media Editor, Photographer