Roos to kick off season against Spartans

The Spartans come into this season hoping to build off their 4-7 2025 season when they did make the playoffs despite starting several sophomores. Centennial returns six starters on both sides of the ball from that team.

“They are an athletic bunch,” Coach Marshall Williams said. “They started a lot of sophomores last year, but they got better as the year went along so they are an experienced bunch. They got pretty good size and play a pretty physical game.”

With Weatherford hoping to break its playoff drought, it is a good opponent to start the season against to see if the team can measure up.

The Spartans employ an option attack when running the football, using the legs of returning quarterback Derringer Adrion as well as getting the ball into playmaker Jaxson Deaton’s hands.

This year, it looks like Centennial is not leaning so hard on those traditional option formations or just running the football as the team looks to expand throwing the football with Adrion’s experience growing.

“They are going to put more on his plate and ask him to throw the football a bit more,” Williams said. “I think their passing game is similar to what we saw against Brewer.”

Defensively, the Spartans are lining up in a 3-3 stack and in the secondary will employ three safeties, with one designated the “robber role” to try and defend any throws across the middle.

“We have to attack them running the football, both inside and on the perimeter and take what they give us outside,” Williams said.

With returning running back D.J. Quimby, Weatherford hopes it can start with him and go from there. Williams wants his team to play fast and control the pace of play if the offense can get some momentum.

Quarterback Braelyn Jones will make his first start for the Kangaroos, but wide receiver Jakob Hemphill is a great target to throw to as he has the ability to line up anywhere and take advantage of getting the ball in space wherever he can find it.

Besides the pressure of opening the season, Weatherford will also have its senior night ceremony before the game. With nearly 30 seniors on the roster, it is a big night.

“I think there is a lot to be said about kids who finish things in life,” Williams said. “It’s a good day to celebrate them. It shouldn’t go unnoticed when kids finish something. I think they should at least be told good job or be recognized by the time and effort they gave to this community.”