In his first two years as Hico’s football coach, Todd Swearengin faced an uphill climb.

In 2021, he inherited the challenge of trying to install a new system and culture in a program that had won just six games combined over the previous three seasons. And last year, he had just one senior with which to tackle a tough new district schedule. 

After going 9-13 over those two campaigns and closing each in the playoffs, Swearengin will be blessed with his most talented and experienced team yet in 2023. And he’s hoping those factors — and another full year in his system — will be enough to fuel the Tigers to their first winning season since 2017.