by John Ames (Posted on Dec. 12, 2025 8:30 a.m.)

The Alamo Heights Junior School Mules capped off a triumphant season by winning the district title for 7th-grade football. All three teams were dominant on the field, winning almost every game, and the blue team didn’t lose a single one. Reflecting on the season, 7th-grade football player Andrew Bishop said, “There were a lot of great moments throughout the season, but our greatest highlight was when, after the first half against Ed White, we were down 8–12. Things weren’t looking good, but Travis Rogers returned the opening kick in the second half for a touchdown, which boosted our spirits, and we went on to win that game 30–20.”

While the blue team’s undefeated record stood out, the white and gold teams also had incredibly strong seasons. The white team lost only one game all year. Football player Zander Uribe stated, “It was so fun, I loved getting to play and get all of those tackles on defense.” 

Similarly, the gold team was dominant as well, dropping just one game and shutting out opponents in all their other matchups. Gold team player Charlie Baumgartner shared, “Playing on gold was so fun. The coaches helped us improve a lot throughout the season.”

The season began on a high note for all three teams as they opened with a big win against Wood Middle School. For many players, this matchup marked their first time participating in an organized tackle football game, and almost everyone came away loving the experience.

However, the season wasn’t without challenges. As the weeks went on, each team faced adversity, especially as injuries began to pile up. Near the end of the season several players were sidelined with injuries such as concussions. Mid-season, starting quarterback Hop Dorris suffered an arm injury, but Floyd Gray stepped in to command the offense. Fortunately, Hop returned later in the season and became a standout on defense. The blue team also faced a mental hurdle when they tied back-to-back games—both ending 6–6—which led to a significant drop in morale.

One of the most memorable aspects of the season was the coaching staff. No matter what position a player held, everyone spoke highly of Coach Hanna, Coach Olguin, and Coach Wilson, whose encouragement and leadership helped the teams succeed. Coach Hanna stated, “The players really improved as a whole unit, and them being dedicated was so important to that.”

After interviewing numerous players, one theme was clear: every one of them enjoyed playing football this year. They felt they improved throughout the season, and all of them expressed excitement about returning next year.