What makes Texas high school football unlike anything else in the country? In this episode of Your Dark Companion, Mike Rhyner sits down with Greg Tepper, Editor-in-Chief of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football—the man at the center of the sport’s most beloved publication.
From covering more than 1,500 high school teams across the state to chronicling the stories that fuel Friday night lights, Tepper opens the playbook on what it takes to keep this legendary magazine alive. He shares how he went from a young journalist to becoming the voice of Texas football, balancing the tradition of Dave Campbell’s with the modern realities of recruiting, transfers, and the ever-changing college football landscape.
Along the way, you’ll hear about the rise of powerhouse programs, the challenges facing high school coaches, and even the possibility of a 7A division. Tepper also breaks down the quirks that make Texas football culture truly one-of-a-kind—from six-man ball to the intensity of rivalries that can divide entire towns.
If you’ve ever wondered why football in Texas feels bigger, louder, and more personal, this conversation explains it all.
⏱️ Chapters
0:00 – Football Season Excitement and Craft Beer Discussions
3:41 – The Legacy and Passion of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football
9:24 – Why Texas High School Football is Truly Different
13:39 – From Journalism Graduate to TV Host for Friday Nights
15:09 – The Massive Undertaking of Creating the Annual Magazine
23:21 – Transfers, Recruiting, and UIL Rules Shaping the Game
26:01 – How High School Coaching in Texas Has Evolved
32:07 – Mid-Show Reads and Sponsor Breaks
33:45 – Finding Natural Relief Through CBD at a Women-Owned Boutique
36:06 – Fantasy Football Draft Night at the Sunset Lounge
36:13 – The Electric Impact of Mike Rhyner’s Live Reads
37:53 – Powerhouse Programs and Rising Texas Stars to Watch
42:01 – Six-Man Football and New Wearable Tech Rules
45:28 – UIL Realignment: Challenges and Controversy
47:12 – The Passion and Culture Driving Texas High School Football
52:55 – Championship Trends Across Texas Metro Areas
53:55 – Greg Tepper Teases Upcoming High School Football Broadcast News
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