Greg Webb

sports@weatherforddemocrat.com

Aside from the marked improvement in the record of the Weatherford Kangaroos in their 2009 football season, the boys in the program have cleared other hurdles in their fight for respectability. Until the opening game of the season, none of the varsity players in the era of Weatherford head coach Kenny Wheaton had experienced the concept of being down in a game, then coming back against adversity to pull out a win. The WHS boys crossed the experience off their wish list, this year. In fact, they crossed it off five times, providing a wealth of entertainment, as well as a big dose of anxiety for coaches, fans and coaches.

Finishing 5-5 on the year, 3-3 in District 3-5A and a hair’s breadth from a postseason slot, the Roos eradicated a good deal of frustration from a disappointing 2008 season, and a healthy outlook for future endeavors on the gridiron. Coach Wheaton ticks off the positives of the program’s improvements like a grocery list, while still recognizing the shortcomings to be resolved..

“This year, we were a plus two on the turnover ratio,” he said. “Last year we were a minus 11.

“But as much as we have improved on offense and defense, we still have a lot of work to do on our special teams. We’ve worked really hard on the kicking and punting, but we need to get better.”

With the season behind and the equipment put away, Wheaton is about the business, among other things, of putting together a schedule of non-district for next year. He has already confirmed a renewal of the annual match with Aledo, which will enter its fifth iteration of the growing rivalry. Beyond that, some progress may be made, but some of the scheduling is relegated to a wait-and-see status, until the impending district realignments are done.

“There are all kinds of scenarios, with several schools that may come up [to Class 5A],” Wheaton said, “but you never what will happen. We may end up in the same district with someone we’ve scheduled a non-district, like a Mansfield, for instance. Then it kind of goes by the wayside.

“But I’m happy we have Aledo nailed down. It’s good to play programs of that caliber. It really lets you gauge where you are.”

Statistically, Weatherford ended up perched in the middle of the pecking order offensively and defensively in the district. As one might expect, the Roos were a solid third in rushing yardage on the year, a testament to the triple option scheme. Weatherford rushed for nearly 2,900 yards on the year. The passing will likely never be a dominant number in the WHS scheme or the district standings, but Wheaton still looks to provide a threat when the opportunity presents itself.

Defensively, the Roos made significant strides, finishing fourth among their district peers, averaging a yield of just over 300 yards per game.

Individually, senior Jaren Gentry finished fourth in rushing yardage for the district, with just under 1,000 yards on the season. Seniors Colton Kamper and Mitchael Rucker, with junior Trooper Reynolds, who figures to be the Roos signal caller next season, both showed among the top rushers, as well. Junior safety Dakota Abernathy was at the top of the list in picks, with four interceptions.

Weatherford graduates 34 from the varsity squad, losing six offensive starters and five defensive starters. Wheaton is happy with the number of players returning who were not listed starters, but who received a good deal of playing time during the season.

“We have some kids that were on the varsity, and we moved them back down, “ Wheaton said. “Our deal is that it’s not doing them any good on the bench. They can learn a lot better getting the playing time on the JV team.”

Working toward next year’s squad started the week after the final game. The coaching staff redirects efforts from game preparation to player preparation, in a hurry.

“Some people think it just slows down after the season,” Wheaton said, chuckling. “It probably just picks up a lot more.

“It takes us the whole week just to get the stats gathered on where our boys are on the weight program, timing forties and those types of things. We do measurements kind of like an NFL combine, testing quickness, agility and lateral movement. Kid’s exit interviews, coaches evaluations … it just never slows down.”

The benchmarks are an important part of gauging strengths and weakness, as well as progress made on an individual basis during the offseason.

“It’s a good motivation for the kids to try to improve,” he said. “If you have a real strong kid who can’t run and jump and move, it doesn’t do much good, just like if you have another one that can move but isn’t strong. It helps them improve and see where they need to be.”

Reflecting on the season just finished, Wheaton acknowledges goals attained and improvement in the record, and perception, of Weatherford football, but the disappointment as well, for having to put equipment away prematurely.

“We try to think about the positive things we do,” he said. “We attained lots of our goals, but making the playoffs wasn’t one of them, and that just rips the hearts out of our kids and our coaches after working so hard.

"But that’s the only negative really. We played poorly in some games, but we also made some good strides.”

One piece of the puzzle Wheaton thinks he has found is the amount of confidence traveling through the players he coached for the last time and those who will be back to carry the torch for improving the Roos’ program, yet more. And he provides a good example of the positive attitudes persisting among the group.

“When we had the all-district meeting, [Abilene head coach] Steve Warren told me he felt like we were the second-best team in the district,” said Wheaton, “and said this in front of the other coaches at the meeting.

“And when I told our kids about it the next week, do you know what they said? They told me ‘No, coach. We were the best team. We should have beaten those guys.’

“I love that, and they really feel that way.”