The St. Thomas More Cougars enter the 2024 season as the two-time defending Division II State Champions, solidifying their place as one of the premier high school football teams in the state. This remarkable achievement is the result of the hard work and dedication of Coach Jim Hightower and his team over the past two years.

Coach Hightower credits the team’s ongoing success to the strong sense of ownership each class develops as they progress through the program. “We end up having great senior leadership pretty much every year,” Hightower explains. “They know how to bring those young guys along. We get some really great work done with our scout teams, so they kind of learn what they need to do, and they’re getting to watch those older guys that are proficient in what they do. When they get out there, they’ve been trained through the years to be ready.”

With 471 career wins, Hightower ranks second in Louisiana high school football history, trailing only JT Curtis. Despite his extensive career, he remains passionate and enthusiastic about the game. “I’ve been taking it one year at a time for a long time. The thing that keeps me coming back is just the excitement on that sideline on Friday night. There’s nothing like it in this world. So, as long as I’m still able and still feel that excitement, I’m ready to go.”

STM kicks off the preseason in the Kiwanis Jamboree against Southside tonight at 7:15, eager to defend their title and continue their winning tradition.