CITY OF CHAMPIONS
FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONS
St. Paul High School INTERVIEW WITH COACH JAKE WACHSMUTH REVEALS VALUES AND TRADITIONS INTEGRAL TO THE PROGRAM by Michelle Banse Stokes, photos by Emily Henderson
St. Paul High School’s football program has garnered quite a reputation in Texas. Talented and determined, the team’s performance on the field has earned them the title of State Champion for four straight years. It’s an impressive position to be in. At the helm is Coach Jake Wachsmuth, a man who wears many hats. Not only is he the athletic director, he’s also the head coach for football, girls basketball, boys and girls track and, if that wasn’t enough to keep him busy, he’s also a teacher. Coach Wachsmuth isn’t one to take the credit for the team’s success, but the numbers speak for themselves. He arrived in 2008 and the football team has brought home the state title eight times during his tenure. But Coach Wachsmuth is doing far more for the kids than producing a consistently winning team. He’s shaping legends on and off the field. “We have good kids here,” said Wachsmuth. “You can only do so much as a coach. Everyone has to decide if they want to put in the effort. It takes a lot of work and time to be successful. Our kids are motivated across the board and they have the work ethic it takes.” According to Wachsmuth, that motivation starts at home. Shiner is a very close-knit community with small town values and traditional morals. It shows in every aspect of what they accomplish.
SHINER, TEXAS |
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Top photo of the 2021 Cardinals captured by Halle Pilat, yearbook staff at St. Paul High School.
