High School Football
2 Tim. 4:2 says, “Preach the Word. Be prepared in Season and out of season. Correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.” We host a Mom’s Clinic each year to teach a little football and cap it off with our Mom’s praying in every part of our stadium for everyone associated with a Friday night game as well as for our opponents. We host a Father/Son Kickoff Luncheon to start the season and Breakfast to close out the year. In the past, our team has taken part in many other community service projects. Our team is involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Heart of a Champion Bowl each June. We have a team devotion before every game and the Cougar football team has been in the playoffs 11 out of the past 12 years, winning one district title, 3 Bi-District titles and a Regional championship.
CALENDAR
No events found.
Tim Russell
Head Football & Track and Field Coach
Tim Russell
Head Football & Track and Field Coach
B.A., University of Houston
Coach Russell has coached football for 30 years. He lives by the words in II Timothy 4:2 which states “There is no offseason!” He is married to the former Jana Crosby and the two graduated from the University of Houston in 1991. Tim and Jana have two daughters: Bailee and Macey. Macey attends Harding University, and Bailee was killed by a drunk driver in 2016. Coach Russell enjoys the team atmosphere that each great football team possesses.
Phil Castles
Football/Defensive Coordinator
Phil Castles
Football/Defensive Coordinator
M.S. Kinesiology, Midwestern State University
Phil Castles joined Grace Community School in 2025 as the defensive coordinator for the football team. A native of Tyler, he has worked in several East Texas school districts. He has served as the athletic director and head coach at Henderson, Corsicana, Chapel Hill, and Elysian Fields. He has also held the position of defensive coordinator at Texas High, Sulphur Springs, Winnsboro, Gladewater, and Beckville. Phil is married to Suzanne Castles, and they have three children: Cameron, MicahAnne, and Calan. The Castles have been members of First Baptist Church of Henderson, Texas, for over a decade.
Tyler Fleet
PHYSICAL EDUCATION, FOOTBALL & TRACK AND FIELD COACH
Tyler Fleet
PHYSICAL EDUCATION, FOOTBALL & TRACK AND FIELD COACH
B.A. Youth & Family Ministry, Abilene Christian University
Tyler joined Grace Community School in 2024 after serving in various teaching and coaching roles over the past eleven years at Midland Christian School and Lubbock Christian School. Those roles include teaching 4-6th grade PE and 8th grade science and being the Head Track & Field Coach, Offensive Coordinator, and Offensive Line Coach. Tyler earned his bachelor’s degree in Youth & Family Ministry from Abilene Christian University while participating in football and track & field for the Wildcats. A Tyler, Texas native, he graduated from Legacy High School (formerly Robert E. Lee), where he was part of the state championship football team in 2004 and won a state championship in track and field in 2007. Tyler has been married to his wife, Erin, for three years. They have a daughter, Everly, and a high-energy Yellow Lab, Luka. The Fleets enjoy family walks, working out, playing golf, and watching or playing just about any sport.
Kendall Fox
Assistant Principal 5th & 6th and Grace University
Kendall Fox
Assistant Principal 5th & 6th and Grace University
B.S., University of Texas, Tyler
Kendall has worked in the middle school since 2010 at Grace Community School and serves as the Assistant Principal 5th & 6th Grade and Grace University. He has taught sixth-grade P.E. and coached high school baseball and football during his time at the school. Kendall has received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Tyler. He is happily married to Emily Fox and they both work with the student ministry at Grace Community Church.
David Garza
Football & Basketball Coach
David Garza
Football & Basketball Coach
Born and raised in San Antonio, TX Coach Garza moved to Tyler in 2011. He played football at TJC and Texas College and is in his 6th year of coaching. In his first year with Grace, he’ll be coaching varsity/middle school football, middle school basketball, and middle school golf. Coach Garza has been married to his wife Shelby for three years and has two daughters Charlotte Grace and Ellie Kye.
Chris Hemphill
Bible, Head Soccer, Football Coach, & Equity and Inclusion Coordinator
Chris Hemphill
Bible, Head Soccer, Football Coach, & Equity and Inclusion Coordinator
B.A., University of Georgia
Coach Hemphill has played soccer for twenty years, both at the high school and college level. He set the Georgia 5A state record for career goals with 115, was a First Team All-District, and District MVP selection. He played football for The University of Georgia for one year, and was a two-year starter for the Darton College Cavaliers soccer team in Albany, Georgia, earning All-Conference honors. He earned a trial for a professional team in England before retiring to pursue ministry. Coach Hemphill has coached soccer off and on for ten years. He served as an assistant coach at Lee County High School and Deerfield-Windsor School (Georgia). He currently coaches the middle school soccer teams for Grace and is an assistant coach for the boys and girls varsity teams. He also coaches a girls club team for FC Dallas in Tyler. In addition to soccer, Coach Hemphill has coached middle school and high school football at Grace Community School since 2010. He is also an online seminary student pursuing a master’s degree in Christian Apologetics.
Wesley Johnston
Mathematics, Football & Varsity Baseball Coach
Wesley Johnston
Mathematics, Football & Varsity Baseball Coach
M.Ed., Lamar University
Wes joined Grace Community School in 2021. He received his bachelor’s degree in secondary education math and a minor in religion from East Texas Baptist University. He later attended Lamar University, receiving a master’s degree in educational administration. Wes has eight years of experience, having served in many roles, including administration, teacher, and coach at both Gladewater High School and Brownsboro High School. Coach Johnston and his wife, Miranda, have two sons, Hudson and Knox, and a dog, Dixie. He loves to hang out with his family, coach, and ride his motorcycle.
Ric Radcliffe
History, Football & Track and Field Coach
Ric Radcliffe
History, Football & Track and Field Coach
B.A., Wheaton College
Ric has been teaching history at the high school level since 2012, and has been with Grace Community School since 2015. He received his bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and History/Social Sciences with an endorsement in Math from Wheaton College, where he also had the privilege to play college football. He has been married to Mrs. Radcliffe since the summer of 2013. She, too, is currently working at Grace Community School in the middle school as the eighth grade math teacher. Ric also serves as a football coach on both the varsity and junior varsity levels, as well as one of the high school track and field coaches.
Eddie Starkes
Football Coach
Eddie Starkes
Football Coach
My name is Eddie Starkes, I coach offensive line from the junior high through high school. This will be my 2nd season at Grace and I also graduated from Grace 2009.
Tobias Washington
Football Coach
Tobias Washington
Football Coach
Born and raised from Henderson, TX, I pursued my love for football at Baylor and Mary Hardin-Baylor University. Passionate about coaching football and track, I thrive on building impactful relationships with students, fostering growth both athletically and personally with mentorship and teamwork.
Mark Wells
Football Coach
Mark Wells
Football Coach
B.S., University of North Texas
Coach Wells grew up in Tyler playing football, baseball, basketball, and track. He graduated from the University of North Texas with a B.S. in Criminal Justice. After working as a U.S. Border Patrol Agent and later a U.S. Federal Air Marshal, Coach Wells returned to Tyler and married his high school sweetheart. They have three children, Hadlee (Grace ‘15), Dylan (Grace ‘17), and Brayden (Grace ‘26). Coach Wells and his wife, Andy, also volunteer with GSM at the Grace OJ campus. Coach Wells began coaching middle school track in 2020 and transitioned to middle school football that same Spring. Coach Wells is the offensive and defensive line coach for the middle school and serves as support for JV and Varsity football.
Junior Varsity Football
2 Tim. 4:2 says, “Preach the Word. Be prepared in Season and out of season. Correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.” We host a Mom’s Clinic each year to teach a little football and cap it off with our Mom’s praying in every part of our stadium for everyone associated with a Friday night game as well as for our opponents. We host a Father/Son Kickoff Luncheon to start the season and Breakfast to close out the year. Our team hosts the Azleway Boys Ranch for an annual practice, 7 on 7 game and devotions with a meal each season during our bye week. In the past, our team has taken part in many other community service projects, such as washing cars for our teachers and support staff as a way to show our appreciation and welcome them back to school, baking cookies for our local law enforcement, working with the Salvation Army to assemble bikes, and collecting bug spray and suntan lotion for the homeless. Our team is involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Heart of a Champion Bowl each June. We have a team devotion before every game and the Cougar football team has been in the playoffs 11 out of the past 12 years, winning one district title, 3 Bi-District titles and a Regional championship.
NEWS
CALENDAR
No events found.
Tim Russell
Head Football & Track and Field Coach
Tim Russell
Head Football & Track and Field Coach
B.A., University of Houston
Coach Russell has coached football for 30 years. He lives by the words in II Timothy 4:2 which states “There is no offseason!” He is married to the former Jana Crosby and the two graduated from the University of Houston in 1991. Tim and Jana have two daughters: Bailee and Macey. Macey attends Harding University, and Bailee was killed by a drunk driver in 2016. Coach Russell enjoys the team atmosphere that each great football team possesses.
Phil Castles
Football/Defensive Coordinator
Phil Castles
Football/Defensive Coordinator
M.S. Kinesiology, Midwestern State University
Phil Castles joined Grace Community School in 2025 as the defensive coordinator for the football team. A native of Tyler, he has worked in several East Texas school districts. He has served as the athletic director and head coach at Henderson, Corsicana, Chapel Hill, and Elysian Fields. He has also held the position of defensive coordinator at Texas High, Sulphur Springs, Winnsboro, Gladewater, and Beckville. Phil is married to Suzanne Castles, and they have three children: Cameron, MicahAnne, and Calan. The Castles have been members of First Baptist Church of Henderson, Texas, for over a decade.
Tyler Fleet
PHYSICAL EDUCATION, FOOTBALL & TRACK AND FIELD COACH
Tyler Fleet
PHYSICAL EDUCATION, FOOTBALL & TRACK AND FIELD COACH
B.A. Youth & Family Ministry, Abilene Christian University
Tyler joined Grace Community School in 2024 after serving in various teaching and coaching roles over the past eleven years at Midland Christian School and Lubbock Christian School. Those roles include teaching 4-6th grade PE and 8th grade science and being the Head Track & Field Coach, Offensive Coordinator, and Offensive Line Coach. Tyler earned his bachelor’s degree in Youth & Family Ministry from Abilene Christian University while participating in football and track & field for the Wildcats. A Tyler, Texas native, he graduated from Legacy High School (formerly Robert E. Lee), where he was part of the state championship football team in 2004 and won a state championship in track and field in 2007. Tyler has been married to his wife, Erin, for three years. They have a daughter, Everly, and a high-energy Yellow Lab, Luka. The Fleets enjoy family walks, working out, playing golf, and watching or playing just about any sport.
Kendall Fox
Assistant Principal 5th & 6th and Grace University
Kendall Fox
Assistant Principal 5th & 6th and Grace University
B.S., University of Texas, Tyler
Kendall has worked in the middle school since 2010 at Grace Community School and serves as the Assistant Principal 5th & 6th Grade and Grace University. He has taught sixth-grade P.E. and coached high school baseball and football during his time at the school. Kendall has received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Tyler. He is happily married to Emily Fox and they both work with the student ministry at Grace Community Church.
David Garza
Football & Basketball Coach
David Garza
Football & Basketball Coach
Born and raised in San Antonio, TX Coach Garza moved to Tyler in 2011. He played football at TJC and Texas College and is in his 6th year of coaching. In his first year with Grace, he’ll be coaching varsity/middle school football, middle school basketball, and middle school golf. Coach Garza has been married to his wife Shelby for three years and has two daughters Charlotte Grace and Ellie Kye.
Chris Hemphill
Bible, Head Soccer, Football Coach, & Equity and Inclusion Coordinator
Chris Hemphill
Bible, Head Soccer, Football Coach, & Equity and Inclusion Coordinator
B.A., University of Georgia
Coach Hemphill has played soccer for twenty years, both at the high school and college level. He set the Georgia 5A state record for career goals with 115, was a First Team All-District, and District MVP selection. He played football for The University of Georgia for one year, and was a two-year starter for the Darton College Cavaliers soccer team in Albany, Georgia, earning All-Conference honors. He earned a trial for a professional team in England before retiring to pursue ministry. Coach Hemphill has coached soccer off and on for ten years. He served as an assistant coach at Lee County High School and Deerfield-Windsor School (Georgia). He currently coaches the middle school soccer teams for Grace and is an assistant coach for the boys and girls varsity teams. He also coaches a girls club team for FC Dallas in Tyler. In addition to soccer, Coach Hemphill has coached middle school and high school football at Grace Community School since 2010. He is also an online seminary student pursuing a master’s degree in Christian Apologetics.
Wesley Johnston
Mathematics, Football & Varsity Baseball Coach
Wesley Johnston
Mathematics, Football & Varsity Baseball Coach
M.Ed., Lamar University
Wes joined Grace Community School in 2021. He received his bachelor’s degree in secondary education math and a minor in religion from East Texas Baptist University. He later attended Lamar University, receiving a master’s degree in educational administration. Wes has eight years of experience, having served in many roles, including administration, teacher, and coach at both Gladewater High School and Brownsboro High School. Coach Johnston and his wife, Miranda, have two sons, Hudson and Knox, and a dog, Dixie. He loves to hang out with his family, coach, and ride his motorcycle.
Ric Radcliffe
History, Football & Track and Field Coach
Ric Radcliffe
History, Football & Track and Field Coach
B.A., Wheaton College
Ric has been teaching history at the high school level since 2012, and has been with Grace Community School since 2015. He received his bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and History/Social Sciences with an endorsement in Math from Wheaton College, where he also had the privilege to play college football. He has been married to Mrs. Radcliffe since the summer of 2013. She, too, is currently working at Grace Community School in the middle school as the eighth grade math teacher. Ric also serves as a football coach on both the varsity and junior varsity levels, as well as one of the high school track and field coaches.
Eddie Starkes
Football Coach
Eddie Starkes
Football Coach
My name is Eddie Starkes, I coach offensive line from the junior high through high school. This will be my 2nd season at Grace and I also graduated from Grace 2009.
Tobias Washington
Football Coach
Tobias Washington
Football Coach
Born and raised from Henderson, TX, I pursued my love for football at Baylor and Mary Hardin-Baylor University. Passionate about coaching football and track, I thrive on building impactful relationships with students, fostering growth both athletically and personally with mentorship and teamwork.
Mark Wells
Football Coach
Mark Wells
Football Coach
B.S., University of North Texas
Coach Wells grew up in Tyler playing football, baseball, basketball, and track. He graduated from the University of North Texas with a B.S. in Criminal Justice. After working as a U.S. Border Patrol Agent and later a U.S. Federal Air Marshal, Coach Wells returned to Tyler and married his high school sweetheart. They have three children, Hadlee (Grace ‘15), Dylan (Grace ‘17), and Brayden (Grace ‘26). Coach Wells and his wife, Andy, also volunteer with GSM at the Grace OJ campus. Coach Wells began coaching middle school track in 2020 and transitioned to middle school football that same Spring. Coach Wells is the offensive and defensive line coach for the middle school and serves as support for JV and Varsity football.
Middle School Football
2 Tim. 4:2 says, “Preach the Word. Be prepared in Season and out of season. Correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.” We host a Mom’s Clinic each year to teach a little football and cap it off with our Mom’s praying in every part of our stadium for everyone associated with a Friday night game as well as for our opponents. We host a Father/Son Kickoff Luncheon to start the season and Breakfast to close out the year. Our team hosts the Azleway Boys Ranch for an annual practice, 7 on 7 game and devotions with a meal each season during our bye week. In the past, our team has taken part in many other community service projects, such as washing cars for our teachers and support staff as a way to show our appreciation and welcome them back to school, baking cookies for our local law enforcement, working with the Salvation Army to assemble bikes, and collecting bug spray and suntan lotion for the homeless. Our team is involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Heart of a Champion Bowl each June. We have a team devotion before every game and the Cougar football team has been in the playoffs 11 out of the past 12 years, winning one district title, 3 Bi-District titles and a Regional championship.
NEWS
CALENDAR
No events found.
Wesley Johnston
Mathematics, Football & Varsity Baseball Coach
Wesley Johnston
Mathematics, Football & Varsity Baseball Coach
M.Ed., Lamar University
Wes joined Grace Community School in 2021. He received his bachelor’s degree in secondary education math and a minor in religion from East Texas Baptist University. He later attended Lamar University, receiving a master’s degree in educational administration. Wes has eight years of experience, having served in many roles, including administration, teacher, and coach at both Gladewater High School and Brownsboro High School. Coach Johnston and his wife, Miranda, have two sons, Hudson and Knox, and a dog, Dixie. He loves to hang out with his family, coach, and ride his motorcycle.
Tyler Fleet
PHYSICAL EDUCATION, FOOTBALL & TRACK AND FIELD COACH
Tyler Fleet
PHYSICAL EDUCATION, FOOTBALL & TRACK AND FIELD COACH
B.A. Youth & Family Ministry, Abilene Christian University
Tyler joined Grace Community School in 2024 after serving in various teaching and coaching roles over the past eleven years at Midland Christian School and Lubbock Christian School. Those roles include teaching 4-6th grade PE and 8th grade science and being the Head Track & Field Coach, Offensive Coordinator, and Offensive Line Coach. Tyler earned his bachelor’s degree in Youth & Family Ministry from Abilene Christian University while participating in football and track & field for the Wildcats. A Tyler, Texas native, he graduated from Legacy High School (formerly Robert E. Lee), where he was part of the state championship football team in 2004 and won a state championship in track and field in 2007. Tyler has been married to his wife, Erin, for three years. They have a daughter, Everly, and a high-energy Yellow Lab, Luka. The Fleets enjoy family walks, working out, playing golf, and watching or playing just about any sport.
David Garza
Football & Basketball Coach
David Garza
Football & Basketball Coach
Born and raised in San Antonio, TX Coach Garza moved to Tyler in 2011. He played football at TJC and Texas College and is in his 6th year of coaching. In his first year with Grace, he’ll be coaching varsity/middle school football, middle school basketball, and middle school golf. Coach Garza has been married to his wife Shelby for three years and has two daughters Charlotte Grace and Ellie Kye.
Chris Hemphill
Bible, Head Soccer, Football Coach, & Equity and Inclusion Coordinator
Chris Hemphill
Bible, Head Soccer, Football Coach, & Equity and Inclusion Coordinator
B.A., University of Georgia
Coach Hemphill has played soccer for twenty years, both at the high school and college level. He set the Georgia 5A state record for career goals with 115, was a First Team All-District, and District MVP selection. He played football for The University of Georgia for one year, and was a two-year starter for the Darton College Cavaliers soccer team in Albany, Georgia, earning All-Conference honors. He earned a trial for a professional team in England before retiring to pursue ministry. Coach Hemphill has coached soccer off and on for ten years. He served as an assistant coach at Lee County High School and Deerfield-Windsor School (Georgia). He currently coaches the middle school soccer teams for Grace and is an assistant coach for the boys and girls varsity teams. He also coaches a girls club team for FC Dallas in Tyler. In addition to soccer, Coach Hemphill has coached middle school and high school football at Grace Community School since 2010. He is also an online seminary student pursuing a master’s degree in Christian Apologetics.
Eddie Starkes
Football Coach
Eddie Starkes
Football Coach
My name is Eddie Starkes, I coach offensive line from the junior high through high school. This will be my 2nd season at Grace and I also graduated from Grace 2009.
Tobias Washington
Football Coach
Tobias Washington
Football Coach
Born and raised from Henderson, TX, I pursued my love for football at Baylor and Mary Hardin-Baylor University. Passionate about coaching football and track, I thrive on building impactful relationships with students, fostering growth both athletically and personally with mentorship and teamwork.