Fighting 'underdogs' have one day left

AUSTIN (KXAN) - There is only one day left to vote for an Austin high school football team that has taken its fight for its school pride in an "underdog" battle on the national stage.

Your vote can help get the Reagan High School Raiders to that $25,000 grant from "Sports Illustrated" as part of its "Underdogs" series, which highlights inspiring stories of high school football teams across the country.

Reagan High School is featured in that special series that walks anyone watching the documentary through the emotional story and resilient spirit of the athletes who take the field under the Friday night lights.

The series profiles athletic programs overcoming enormous hardships, and the show chronicled the Regan Raiders' effort to rebuild their football program after a string of unsuccessful seasons.

Reagan High School's new head football coach and athletic director, Keith Carey, is hoping to turn the program around in his inaugural year in the position. And so far, it's looking good.

Carey's inspiring change and promising to rewrite their own story at Reagan "so people can see the truth about who you are" -- and not "lies" spurred from the slump of seasons the team had seen.

It's a promise he's kept, as players say they are learning more about football and life -- and some about "how to be a man."

Last year the Raiders went 0-10. So far this year, the team has seen its share of welcome wins.

The only school selected in Texas, Reagan High School stands at third place in the battle to win among 10 teams in the nation. Snagging the top spot means the school gets a $25,000 grant -- welcome assistance in a district that has seen its fair share of financial struggles.

"Receiving this grant would add a boost to our program because we could purchase equipment and make some facilities improvements," said Carey. “Most of all, I’m so proud of the dedication and hard work demonstrated by this team. To have the community rally behind them during this competition just shows to the team that they have full support."

Students and staff members at the school are using social media and text messages to promote the contest to the public.

More about the Raiders' story

"Sports Illustrated did a magnificent job capturing the story of a team that, despite all odds, has committed to rebuilding a once powerful program," said Reagan High School Principal Anabel Garza. "We want our athletes not only to excel athletically but to use their talents to excel in the classroom and in the community. We want scholar athletes that will be real-world models and future leaders. I feel honored to know that our community, alumni and supporters all over the country are rallying to support our Raiders."

The Reagan Raiders were a football powerhouse in the 1960s and 70s -- winning near-consecutive state championships in 1967, 1968 and 1970. But the school’s football program has suffered in recent decades.

Throughout the past eight seasons, the team went 9-70. In 2011, they went 0-10.

This year, however, under the direction of Carey, the school is mounting a comeback to restore the program, and players are learning to develop character on and off the football field.  

"It’s not even about the football team. It’s about changing you as a person," said senior wide receiver William Covington. "This year, we just flipped the script and changed our whole image. If the football team is doing good, then the whole atmosphere at school is different. Everyone wants us to do good and expects us to do good now."

Each team featured in the "Underdogs" series was selected for having overcome obstacles that included dilapidated facilities, crime-ridden communities, severe funding deficits and disasters, both personal and natural. The series was part of one of the largest high school football editorial initiatives in the magazine’s history.