SAN ANTONIO -- Consistency is the key to the Karen Wagner High School football team, except when it comes to success.
- Losing record for past six seasons
- Averaging 61 points per game
- Moved from 6A to 5A
Most football programs don’t bounce back from six straight losing seasons with their school’s first district title.
“I knew it was coming, it was just patience and time,” senior safety Javon Barnes said.
In ten regular season games this year, the T-Birds shut out half of their opponents and averaged 61 points per game.
“It's amazing, I've never been to the playoffs myself so it's very different, it's just a blessing still to be practicing during Thanksgiving,” senior quarterback Tobias Weaver said.
Wagner moved down from competing at the 6A level to 5A, but the team said they’re still playing and practicing the same as every other year. That’s where the consistency comes into play for the Thunderbirds.
“They bought into the system and once they bought into the system, and they trusted the system, again it's the best of both worlds, you have great work ethic, plus a great coaching staff and everything’s just coming together,” Head Coach Charles Bruce said.
“Last year we were a young team so there was a lot of maturing to do, so during the spring, and the fall everyone just matured up, even myself,” Weaver added.
Wagner’s single loss this season may be the game that showed off their talent the most, falling to the third-ranked 6A school in the state. Wagner lost to Judson High School by just one touchdown, giving the Rockets their toughest win of the season.
“It's the same team, no matter who you put in front of us, we're going to give you hard work,” Barnes said. “Nothing has changed for us, we're still going to be Wagner, we're still going to do what we do.”
The T-birds have now racked up nine straight wins, including a week one 59-7 victory over Harlandale High School in the first week of the playoffs.
“The plan is go to state, but us winning district right now, it's awesome,” Barnes said.
It’s note quite a Cinderella story because the team has put in the work for four years, and now their dedication and motivation is finally paying off.
“We’ve been preparing for this since we were freshman,” Weaver said.
On Friday, Wagner will travel to Corpus Christi to take on the Ray Texans in the second round of the playoffs.