25 Teams in 25 Days: Bay High Tigers

The Bay High Tigers are embracing a fresh start this fall. after finishing last season without a win, the focus throughout offseason workouts has been simple turn the page and build a new foundation.

From weight room sessions to summer practices, the Tigers say they’ve developed better chemistry and accountability. Coach French believes the team’s work ethic has taken a step forward, with players buying into the goal of competing for four quarters every Friday night.

“Basically we hit the grown running in the beginning because I knew we had a potential but we had a long way to go. I wanted to see exactly how far I could push them. We been in the weight room every single day, we don’t come out of there that’s where we start everyday. So, we set that in stone right there and so our kids expect it and now they enjoy it because they see the gains it brings to them and how it makes them better. I think we really came up out of the ashes with all of that and it’s been a fun group to coach this year and so i really think that they should be reaping what they sow eventually. We had 6 seniors graduate last year… this year we’ll have about 15 seniors, at that point we’ll have 7-8 starters on each side of the ball. With that being said, really excited about the experience we’re going to have coming back next year and in my experience that usually makes a difference the more experience you have so really excited about it. I think one of our biggest strengths is probably our offensive line, i think that’s a bay high tradition to be honest with you. We have a bunch of linemen that come from here that are at the next level at some point… so I think naturally we’re just big and strong there and this year more experience so, offensive line wise is probably a really big strength for us,” Head Coach Katlan French said.

Bay High is counting on its returning leaders to set the tone both on and off the field. The Tigers hope that leadership translates into more confidence when the lights come on this season.

“Definitely one of the goals is get more wins in the football season but I’m definitely excited about our o-line their the same o-line from last year very experienced and we also have a couple of transfers for our offense so we got more targets on our receiving core. I definitely want to be able to run the ball more because I couldn’t run the ball last year, I broke my foot. the biggest lesson I learned from last year was just keep fighting, even if your down keep pushing. i just think you should put your trust in god, put all your faith in god and he’ll lead you in the right way,” Cameron Garcia said.

“Last season I don’t think we had a very good mindset coming in, like one game we would have a bad game and then completely lose it. I think this year it’s going to be a lot better, I expect us to win a lot more games this year. Definitely would like to improve me and my quarterback’s chemistry, last year I broke my collar bone in week 4 and he hurt his foot in week 1 so, I’m definitely looking forward to that. Last year we didn’t have a lot of skill players, this year we definitely do, definitely looking forward to seeing our running backs Javien Thompson, que victor, Kilanta Burt, then we got a lot of hard hitters on defense like Caden Moore, Klayton carver, and Jayson Golding,” Jackson Callaway said.

With a new season comes new opportunities, and the Tigers know every game is a chance to rewrite the story. If the offseason is any indication, Bay High believes brighter days are ahead.

“You know the goals are obviously we gotta get that monkey off our back and get a win first that’s the biggest thing and we got a group that wants to have swag, that wants to have fun and that kind of starts with winning. Think once we get that off our backs I think it could take off from there. We got a great community that sticks beside us no matter what and so we’re excited about that and i just know we’re going to be a team people can be proud of. The goal is to win a game that’s the goal. If you wanna know what the main goal is? It’s to win the game you are about to play. So, whatever game we’re about to play we’re going out there to win the game and that’s the goals,” French said.

“I definitely do think they should come and support us this year so, definitely think we’ll change things around,” Garcia said.

“Very much looking forward to seeing them coming out to watch us, I think we’re going to be a lot better than last year and we’re definitely going to have a way better mindset than last year,” Callaway said.

The Tigers will begin their season on August 28th when they host Faith Academy to open the 2026 season.