Jackson Daniels

Each week the All Saints Trojans gather in the football locker room to prepare for their next opponent.

“Texas Football has us as an underdog each week,” All Saints quarterback Manny Mizer said. “It’s kind of a running joke. How much of an underdog are we this week.”

But the joke is on those folks who set the point spread.

The Trojans have turned things around and the team is making some history. They have scored six victories despite being 40-point underdogs most games.

All Saints is on a “Shock the World Tour” or at least “Shock the State Tour.”

The Trojans, who won four games the past four seasons, has already won six games in 2024 and made history last week by capturing their first-ever postseason victory.

The Trojans, under first-year coach and former NFLer Kyle Freeman, are 6-5 on the season and scored a 44-35 victory over New Braunfels Christian Academy in a TAPPS Division III area playoff game on Friday in New Braunfels.

Freeman, who played for Angelo State University before becoming a Houston Oiler and Los Angeles Raider in the National Football League, said once again it was a total team effort in the win.

The Trojans totaled 475 yards (351 rushing, 124 passing).

Emerson Hadnot rushed for 138 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries. He also ran in a two-point conversion.

Mizer added 87 yards and three touchdowns on 14 attempts while hitting on 7 of 12 passing attempts for 124 yards.

“After Emerson got hurt, we put the ball in Manny’s hands and said go after it and he did,” Freeman said. “He ran more in this game than he usually does.”

Other offensive standouts included Sawyer Buske (10 carries, 62 yards, TD; 1 reception, 23 yards); Sam Walters (5 carries, 42 yards; 2 catches, 45 yards) and Tate Scully (3 carries, 22 yards; 3 catches, 61 yards).

Freeman, who moved to Tyler after 26 years of coaching in public schools so his wife Shannon could complete her degree in occupational therapy, came to All Saints two years ago as an assistant and became head coach this season.

At Angelo State, Freeman was an All-American in track and football and was the NCAA Division II National Champion in shot put twice. He was drafted in the seventh round by the Houston Oilers. He played several seasons before an injury forced him out of the game.

He said credit for the success of the team goes to the players and the parents for buying in and supporting the program.

“The kids bought into everything we were doing and what we wanted to do,” Freeman said. “They understood things were going to be different and they embraced it. They never shy away from anything we ask them to do. Our practices were much more physical than in the past. I brought a more old school brand of football to these kids. They took to it. They were very hungry for success. Another difference was that our parents were extremely supportive. … The kids just sunk their teeths into everything we are doing.”

Freeman’s influence as reasonated in the team.

“You can really tell everyone just wants it more,” said standout defensive and offensive lineman, plus linebacker, Jackson Daniels. “We just want to win. It has been a complete culture change.”

That change has resulted in upward movement.

“With all three seniors (Daniels, Payton Hernandez, Hunter Martin, another senior Calvi Courtney is out with a shoulder injury) our O-line coach (Tim) Goedeke was telling us this team and this season is our legacy,” Daniels said.

Freeman added each week there are different players who step up, whether it is a sophomore or senior.

Junior Mizer is one of those consistent players week in and week out.

“It feels great to get that first playoff win,” Mizer said. “We put in a lot of work this offseason and in this season thus far. It feels awesome to win a little bit.”

He added Freeman has brought a new culture and “From the first practice, we were just tired of losing. Everyone just worked two times, three times as hard as we did last year. It all finally fell into place.”

Now, the Trojans have their sights on continuing this record year as they meet Lubbock Christian (9-1) in a regional contest on Friday in Breckenridge. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Buckaroo Stadium.

Although there is still more achievement to this season, Mizer, a junior, wants to make a little family history next season.

“I can’t wait to play with my little brother (Clay) next season,” said Mizer whose sibling is an eighth grader. “What a great experience that would be.”

The Mizers and the Trojans are aiming for a playoff winning tradition, plus making more history.