10/15/2026
The Unicorns closed out the 1980s with lots of wins under head coach Jim Streety. After a 6-4 season in '87, New Braunfels went 9-2 in 1988 and 10-1 in 1989.
The 1990s brought a new era of challenges and change for New Braunfels football. After a successful run in the 1980s, the Unicorns moved from Class 4A to Class 5A, adjusted to a more pass-heavy offense, and welcomed new leadership after Jim Streety left for Madison in 1991, passing the torch to Lew Simmonds and then Tim Kingsbury.
The early 90s brought plenty of success, including district championships, strong defensive performances, and the program's first-ever Class 5A playoff victory in 1991. In 1992, the Unicorns finished the regular season undefeated before their playoff run ended at the hands of Hays.
By 1997, New Braunfels was in the spotlight. Senior quarterback Kliff Kingsbury led the Unicorns to a remarkable 13-2 record, including six come-from-behind victories, after the team finished 4-8 the previous season. Kingsbury threw for 3,009 yards and 34 touchdowns, guiding New Braunfels to the Class 5A Division II state semifinals. His outstanding season earned him San Antonio Express-News Offensive Player of the Year honors, academic all-state recognition and a scholarship offer from Texas Tech head coach Spike D***s. Kingsbury was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 2018 and later became head coach at his alma mater, Texas Tech, and in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals. He currently serves as assistant head coach for the Los Angeles Rams.
