Like most other high school football teams in Texas, most of Weatherford High School’s Kangaroos have bleached and cut and dyed their hair to welcome the challenge of playoffs.
“About 85% of us did it so the others believe it’s bad luck before the first round, like me, so I’ll probably bleach my hair after the first round,” tight end, Hayden Hansen (22) said.
Four years ago the Roos made their way to playoffs for the first time in over ten years, a huge feat for the team. Unfortunately, the glory did not last long as the first playoff game that year, 2018, would turn out to be the Roos’ only one of the season. The same tragedy occurred in 2019 and 2020. Although the team was growing better each year, perfecting plays and technique, they were losing valuable players who would continue their football careers in college such as Ken Seals. However, the newest group of boys for the 2021 Weatherford football team were faced with a new challenge this year: a brand new coach. Despite having a more-than-exceptional football coaching record at Iowa Park High School, Sims left Iowa Park and accepted the head football coaching position for Weatherford in the summer of 2021. He has shown his faith in his boys and his passion for football by leading them to the first of what the community of Weatherford hopes to be many playoff games this season.
“The main difference between this year’s team and last year’s team would be the work ethic… personally I believe Coach Sims has a lot to do with those differences,” said Jacob Wallace (22).
“I feel like he really made us come together a lot more and we trust each other more,” Hansen said.
Not only have the Kangaroos made it to the playoffs with Sims by their side, but they did so in style, making every game just as interesting and cheer-worthy as the last. The Roos’ game against the North Crowley Panthers was no exception, ending in a 40-yard touchdown pass caught by Isaiah King (23) and the winning field goal kicked by Sam Hunt (23).
“I was really nervous, I definitely went and threw up after I did it,” said Same Hunt.
“The whole team was going crazy. I felt good, the energy was fun and that was probably the best game we’ve ever had,” King said.
Weatherford High School students and the Weatherford community hope to witness more jaw dropping performances from these athletes as the playoffs commence.