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: La Marque Cougars

The Rundown

La Marque is on the Mount Rushmore of TXHSFB Teams of the 90s, alongside Stephenville and Sealy, making six state championship appearances from 1993 to 1998. But to dub them only as a team of the 90s would disrespect their nearly three-decade legacy. The Cougars made a state championship game in 1986 and won two state championships in the 21st century (2003 and 2006).

By The Numbers 

Class – 4A DII
Enrollment – 699
Location – Galveston County, 36.5 miles southeast of Houston

Glory Days

After falling short in the state championship game in back-to-back seasons, the 1995 La Marque Cougars found out the third time was the charm when they broke through for the program’s first state championship, and cemented their status as one of DCTX’s 10 Greatest UIL Football Teams of All Time. The 31-8 triumph over Denison was the first of three consecutive state championships, beefing up La Marque’s resume as one of the best TXHSFB dynasties of the 90s. 

The GOAT

We have picked two players from the 1990s. One is the popular pick for La Marque’s GOAT. The other is the unsung hero.

If you polled the La Marque faithful, Roylin Bradley would get a majority of the votes. Bradley, a linebacker in the Class of 1997, was a two-time state champion and two-time Class 4A Defensive Player of the Year (AP in 1995, Fox in 1996). The leader of La Marque’s “Black MAAB” defense went on to a four-year career at Texas A&M and played a couple of years in the NFL. 

Greg Robinson-Randall is the under-the-radar selection. Robinson-Randall was a top 100 recruit as a senior who attended Coffeyville Junior College before transferring to Michigan State. He was on Tom Brady’s first Super Bowl team with the New England Patriots in 2002.  

The Architect

Alan Weddell inherited a 3-6-1 La Marque program when he took over in 1990. That first season, the Cougars went 9-3 in a remarkable turnaround. It turned out to be the only time La Marque won less than ten games under Weddell. The Cougars made five-straight Class 4A State Championship games from 1993-97 with Weddell at the helm.

Battle Lines

La Marque has two historic rivalries: one against a program it met in state championship games, the other against a program it faced constantly in the semifinals. 

Let’s start with a rivalry La Marque dominated. The Cougars met Corpus Christi Calallen in the state semifinals for five consecutive years in the 1990s, with La Marque prevailing in every matchup. The individual battles were not as lopsided as the entire war’s record indicates. In the first meeting in 1993, La Marque quarterback Lyle Fattig threw a game-winning touchdown to Byron Evans with three seconds left. Then, in 1996, La Marque kicker Jeff Oberholtzer made a game-winning field goal in overtime. The two teams met again in the 2010 semifinals, but Calallen did not get the cathartic experience it hoped for. La Marque pushed its all-time record in state semifinals against Calallen to 6-0 with a 42-18 bludgeoning. 

Now, at risk of reopening closed wounds, let’s talk about Stephenville. In between La Marque’s three-peat, the Yellow Jackets beat the Cougars three times in the state championship game (1993, 1994, 1998).

Home Turf

La Marque High School is currently constructing a new school building and football facility. Texas City ISD posted on Instagram in October 2025 that they planned to move in after spring break in 2026. 

The Year That Was

After five consecutive losing seasons, Coach Wade Oliphant’s ballclub broke through with a 10-3 record, the program’s first double-digit win season since 2014. Led by District 10-4A DII Offensive MVP Cory Hosea’s 2,129 all-purpose yards, the Cougars scored the most points (581) since 2011. Oliphant, who was a player on La Marque’s three-peat state championship run from 1995-1997, competed with many of the current players’ relatives. They’re working together to bring La Marque back to the pinnacle they once reached.

Looking Ahead

La Marque has a bevy of returning starters from the program’s 10-3 team last year, especially along the offensive and defensive lines. Class of 2028 offensive lineman Zaelan Munoz a headliner among that group who currently holds a Tulane offer after starting every game since his freshman year.

Xs and Os

Offense – Spread
Defense – 3-4

On The Rise

With a program on the rise like La Marque, it’s tough to narrow down just one underclassman star. Quarterback Aaron Walker earned District 10-4A DII Newcomer of the Year honors as a sophomore after throwing for nearly 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns with just two interceptions. On the defensive side, corner back Jah’Quan McAfee started all 13 games as a sophomore and earned Second Team All-District 10-4A DII.

In Their Own Words

“There’s a rich tradition of success on and off the field, starting in the late 1980s, honestly, through the 90s and all the way up to now. We’re kind of rebuilding that tradition, connecting the past to the present. There’s a lot of ‘legacies’ in the program, kids who had a dad or an uncle play during the 90s.” - Wade Oliphant