By Nolan Ruth
X – @RealNolanRuth
That time of year is upon us yet again; it is time for football. With a new season comes new excitement and new predictions from the media. Like last year, we are starting the season with a series of previews focusing on the football teams in Parker County.
As usual, the first preview focuses on the largest school in the county with head coach Aubrey Sims and the Weatherford Kangaroos. Weatherford missed out on the playoffs for the third straight year in 2024 after winning only two games. It took until week nine of the season against Mansfield Lake Ridge before the Kangaroos finally found themselves in the win column. It may not take as long this time around to find that first win. Weatherford is going to look much different in 2025 after losing 30 lettermen.
The strength of the Roos will be in its defense this year. Despite only five returning starters, the strength of that defense is back. Recent Houston commit Liam Riley returns at linebacker for his senior season after leading the team with 60 tackles a year ago. He is joined up front by junior Quinton Martinez at tackle and senior Kade Burlison at defensive end. The experience of those three defensive leaders will be an important piece to the success of the Kangaroos this season. Senior Stetson Wells also returns on the defensive line with Kaddilac Galindo returning as linebacker. Back in the secondary, expect Moises Barco to keep things locked down to defend the pass.
Offensively, the front five is going to be a force to be reckoned with. Senior tackle Rhett Gray stands at a whopping 6-foot-8, 290 pounds and has recently committed to Houston. He is a very big presence up front and will be joined by Jaden Rucker and Chayson Moon to lead a very large offensive line. The play of the line will be important for Weatherford as the Kangaroo backfield is almost completely brand new. Brennan Boehl is expected to be the number one running back after getting some solid reps as a junior, and Brooks Kerbow will be taking snaps from under center after starting three games in 2024, throwing for 795 yards and 4 touchdowns. On the outside, junior receiver Rule Doss is expected to burst onto the scene as the top target alongside junior tight end Harrison McMillan who also could make a big splash.
All in all, Weatherford is going to be led by some experienced faces on both sides and it will be up to the new faces to complete the puzzle. The experience up front is key, but the question lies in the skill positions.
Schedule & Analysis:
at LD Bell
vs Azle
at Arlington
vs Royse City
at Crowley
vs Mansfield Legacy
vs North Crowley
at Mansfield Lake Ridge
at Boswell
vs Mansfield
Floor: 0-10
In 2024, L.D. Bell and Royse City were two non-district losses that could have gone the other way. Both were very even with the Roos on paper, and they both returned several key pieces. Arlington is a playoff team bringing a lot back, and Azle is a playoff team in one of the toughest districts in class 5A. It is very possible that Weatherford can go winless in non-district. In district, the fate of the season likely comes down to the matchups against Lake Ridge and Boswell once again. However, Boswell looks much better on paper coming into 2025 than it did a year ago, and Lake Ridge proved to be a toss up game last year with both being just as even on paper this year. It is not unthinkable for the Kangaroos to go winless in 2025, but of course that is the worst case scenario.
Ceiling: 6-4, 4-seed
Despite having to go on the road to face Arlington, the Colts are very vulnerable going into 2025 and a good start could get the Kangaroos through non-district with a 3-1 record. The one game in non-district I cannot convince myself of is in week two against Azle, who will have high expectations this season. As far as district play goes, it could only take one more win. Last year they lost handily to Mansfield Legacy but still had a chance at the end of the season against Mansfield High to make the playoffs. Assuming they beat both Boswell and Lake Ridge, Aubrey Sims and the Weatherford Kangaroos could find themselves back in November football if they can beat either Mansfield or Legacy. In my opinion, it will come down to the final week against Mansfield.
Nolan’s Prediction: 4-6
Azle and Arlington are two early season games that will be tough to win, but wins against L.D. Bell and Royse City are not out of the question. Then the tough district gauntlet begins with losses to Crowley, Mansfield Legacy and North Crowley. Then once again the back-to-back with Lake Ridge and Boswell puts the Roos back in good standing with it all coming down to the Mansfield game where unfortunately Weatherford falls short of the playoffs yet again.
One Response
Well done, Nolan!