Tioga High School might be located in a small town, but there’s nothing small about this program. They have enjoyed solid success for years under coach Kevin Cook, and coming off a 9-3 season, they are looking to reload and come back with another great year for the Indians. We talked to Athletic Director Dan Christman about what to expect this upcoming year for Tioga.
As the AD, Christman has a unique perspective on the growth of this school and football program. He was able to give us some of that insight, specifically on the improvement of some of the facilities the team has to work with. In recent years, their press box and field have seen massively helpful renovations, but the most exciting improvement is still on the horizon.
We’re in the process of building a 7 million dollar fieldhouse. Two story, we feel like it’s going to be one of the best in the state. We even have a place where people can watch from the fieldhouse, similar to Louisiana Tech. It’s going to be everything you could imagine – new weight room, new everything. It’s going to be phenomenal.
Tioga Athletic Director Dan Christman
On the field, the team has a lot of overturn after last year’s successful campaign. That large group of graduating seniors (including 2023 Gridiron All-American Bowl Participant Ja’Corian Norris) leads to a younger team this year, but they are still stocked with plenty of talent to compete all season.
“We lost 20-something seniors, so we’re going to be a young team. But our running back Travis Adams rushed for over 1000 yards and was all-district for us last year. He’s special, he’s getting some looks. On defense, we lost some guys to ULL, so we’ll have to replace some guys on defense.”
Tioga Athletic Director Dan Christman
The schedule looks exciting this year with a number of interesting games, including a Jena team out of district that is coming off of a dominant 2023. Their district is set to be much more open with Neville leaving, so games against district foes like Peabody (which was an OT thriller last year) and Grant figure to have even higher stakes this year than in the last couple of years. That is all without mentioning, of course, the importance of the Pineville game, which is always a big game for both teams.
“The Pineville game is close by. Year in and year out, the Pineville packs out the stands.”
Tioga Athletic Director Dan Christman
The culture around the team figures to be just as strong as ever this year. Tioga figures to be a young team that has a lot of growth to do throughout the year, but their strong season last year is looking to be built upon and improved upon for this season.
“The buy in is good. Attendance this summer has been really good. We’ve been putting some good quality work in. The strength and conditioning program has gone well. 7 on 7 has gone well. We’ve put the time in. It’s the time thing that is really important for me. It’s important that we’re about to get in that grind. I’m looking forward to it – there are going to be some bumps in the way, there always is, but all that matters is that we’re improving.
Tioga Athletic Director Dan Christman
The 2024 season for the Tioga Indians has already started with the Indians falling to Sterlington 28-13, but things have just started for Tioga this season.
“Don’t be afraid to be successful. Reach for it. Go for it.”
Tioga Athletic Director Dan Christman
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