Texas high school football is more than just a game — it's a way of life. Dave Campbell's Texas Football is spotlighting a different program from across the Lone Star State, diving into their history, traditions, and legends. From powerhouse programs to hidden gems, Texas High School Football Spotlight is your deep dive into what makes each team unique. Whether it's unforgettable seasons, iconic players, or fierce rivalries, this series celebrates the schools, communities, and stories that define Texas high school football.

TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT: SEALY TIGERS

THE RUNDOWN

In the land of giants in the greater Houston area, Sealy is synonymous with mid-sized high school football excellence in southeast Texas. Arguably the Team of the ‘90s, the Tigers became the first UIL 11-man team to win four consecutive state championships in their run of dominance from 1994-97.

BY THE NUMBERS

Class — 4A Division II
Enrollment — 940
Location — Austin County, about 50 miles west of downtown Houston

TROPHY CASE

State Championships — 5 (1978, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997)
State Championships by Appearance — 6 (1978, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999)
District Championships — 23 (most recent: 2020) 
Playoff Appearances — 33 (most recent: 2024) 

GLORY DAYS

There’s no doubt about this: the 1990s, when the Tigers rang of an unprecedented four consecutive Class 3A state championships. Which team was the best of the best? Hard to say, but the 1995 team that went 16-0 and outscored opponents 678 to 100 probably gets the nod.

THE GOAT

Another no-brainer here: Eric Dickerson. Perhaps you’ve heard of him. Before he was Pro Football Hall of Famer with the Los Angeles Rams, before he was a unanimous All-American at SMU, Dickerson was a hard-charging running back for the Sealy Tigers, leading them to their first state championship in 1978. He ran for three touchdowns and caught another score in Sealy’s 42-20 romp over Wylie in the 2A state championship game.

THE ARCHITECT

T.J. Mills is widely considered one of the finest high school football coaches of the last 40 years. After three successful years at Houston Westbury, Mills took the job at Sealy in 1985 and turned them into a juggernaut during his 15 years there, including four titles and another runner-up finish. His 15-year record at Sealy was 148-27, with almost half losses coming in first three seasons and including a then state record 35-game winning He would go on to coach at Odessa Permian and La Porte before retiring in 2004. He was inducted in the THSCA Hall of Honor in 2014 and, posthumously, the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

BATTLE LINES

An old-school southeast Texas rivalry, Bellville vs. Sealy has been teed up 85 times since 1931, including 67 consecutive seasons since 1958. Bellville has the series edge, 51-34, including wins in each of the last four meetings.

HOME TURF

Since 1956, the Tigers have played at 939 Tiger Lane in Sealy. Known as Tiger Stadium up until 2015, it was then renamed T.J. Mills Stadium after their late great coach. The stadium seats 3,807 and when the Tigers are rolling, there are few better places on a Friday night.

THE YEAR THAT WAS

After a couple of relatively middling years, the Tigers roared back in 2024, running to a 10-4 record and a regional final berth in coach Clint Finley’s second season at the helm. It was their deepest playoff run since playing for the title in 1999.

LOOKING AHEAD

Sealy is back, folks. The Tigers welcome back 17 starters from last year’s breakout team, most notably quarterback Kane Killough, who accounted for 3,205 total yards and 42 touchdowns as a junior, and do-it-all athlete Javien Grant, who had nearly as many interceptions (6) as he did receiving touchdowns (9). There’s a legit state championship buzz around Austin County for the first time in a quarter-century.

X’S AND O’S

Offense — Multiple spread
Defense — Even front

ON THE RISE

Keep an eye on junior athlete Beau Finley — he played four different positions for the Tigers last year as a sophomore, and thrived at all of them, including seven passing touchdowns, three rushing scores, and some impressive receiving stats.