Madison and Milby met Saturday, September 19th, at Butler Stadium for the first Ray Seals Classic, but the afternoon was about far more than another game on the Houston ISD football schedule.
The matchup honored Seals, a legendary Houston Independent School District (HISD) coach whose career included stints at both schools before he spent more than two decades building Madison into one of the district’s most respected football programs.
“The Ray Seals Classic was created to honor his legacy in coaching,” said HISD athletic director Andre Walker. “I felt it was important not only for the student-athletes and the communities of the two participating schools to understand his impact, but also for the entire city to be reminded of his greatness as a coach and a person. His influence shaped generations, and his commitment to young people extended far beyond the football field.”
The decision to honor Seals with a football game held particular significance because Madison and Milby were both key stops in his long coaching career.
Seals dedicated 46 years to Houston ISD, coaching at Attucks, Woodson, Sterling, Milby, Houston High, and M.C. Williams before finding his home at Madison High School. Over 23 seasons as Madison’s head coach, he built one of HISD’s most respected football programs.
Seals finished his career with 212 victories, 21 playoff appearances, and 10 HISD Coach of the Year awards. In 2008, he became the inaugural Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year. University of Texas legend Vince Young, among his most notable players, starred under Seals at Madison in the early 2000s.
“Ray Seals’ legacy at Madison football is more than wins,” said Madison head football coach James Soria. “It’s about building a culture of discipline, character, accountability, and family. He taught players to become better people and better athletes. Today’s players should understand his legacy because they carry on the traditions and expectations he helped establish.”
Seals’ influence, however, extended beyond Madison, leaving a lasting impression on coaches, players, and programs throughout HISD.
“Coach Seals’ legacy speaks for itself and is a great example of longevity, mentorship, and success within our district,” said Milby head football coach Matthew Puente. “He is a coach whom others have tried to emulate and model a program after. Our district has a very wide and rich history, and it is important to showcase some of the significant stories such as Coach Seals.”
Saturday’s matchup allowed both programs to honor their shared connection to Seals while writing a new chapter on the football field.
The game was back and forth as both teams moved the ball well. In the second half, Madison pulled away and didn’t look back, defeating Milby 42-13.
Madison senior running back Kenyan Navarre earned Offensive Player of the Game honors; Milby sophomore middle linebacker Andre Lance earned Defensive Player of the Game honors; and Soria earned Coach of the Game honors.
However, the inaugural Classic was ultimately intended to celebrate Seals’ lasting influence and to begin a tradition that would carry his name into future generations of Houston football.
“Playing in the first Ray Seals Classic and being named Offensive Player of the Game as a Madison player means a lot, especially knowing that Coach Seals was a Madison coaching legend,” said Navarre, who rushed for two touchdowns and nearly 100 yards. “When this season is over, I want to be mentioned alongside the new-era Madison legends who came before me, including Dontreal Fisher, Marcus Estes, and Anthonie Thomas.”
While Navarre saw the Classic as an opportunity to add his name to Madison’s football legacy, Lance approached the game with the same determination on the opposing side of the ball.
“Coach Seals’ legacy speaks for itself and is a great example of longevity, mentorship, and success within our district,” said Milby head football coach Matthew Puente.
“Receiving Defensive Player of the Game honors at an event celebrating Coach Seals’ legacy meant the world to me, knowing I worked day and night to get 1% better at the sport I love and prayed to God to push me beyond my limits so I could play my best,” said Lance, who recorded 6 solo tackles and assisted on three others.
The recognition, Lance said, reflected the preparation and effort he put into every defensive snap throughout the game.
“I think the voting committee saw the effort I put out on the field, going 100% every play to get past blockers and to the man with the ball, reading the run game and covering the field,” said Lance.
While Navarre and Lance were recognized for their performances, the first Classic was ultimately about something bigger than individual honors or the final score.
“I hope our players take away from Coach Seals the importance of character, discipline, hard work, and caring for others,” said Soria. “Football is only a small part of their lives, so I want them to apply those lessons to become responsible, successful men who make a positive impact on their families, careers, and communities.”
Those lessons extended beyond the players Seals coached at Madison, contributing to the broader impact he had throughout Houston and beyond.
“I want future generations of Houston football players to understand that Coach Seals’ goal was always bigger than the game itself,” said Walker. “He used football as a vehicle to teach life lessons that helped young men grow into responsible, disciplined, and confident men. It is also important for them to know that Coach Seals’ influence extended far beyond the players he coached. His impact flowed through the communities he served, across the state, and even at the national level. He was just that good as an educator, gifted, intentional, and committed to shaping lives.”
Madison will have the 42-13 victory as the result of the first Ray Seals Classic. But the lasting measure of the event may be whether future generations of Houston football players continue to learn about Seals and the values he taught through football.
