Harker Heights football head coach Mark Humble said it best: “I believe everyone is ready for some Texas high school football under the bright Friday night lights.”
Indeed, the wait is over. The 2025 season is here and Killeen ISD’s student-athletes are primed to produce some memorable moments over the next four months. They are so ready, in fact, it’ll be Shoemaker kicking off the KISD home slate under the Thursday night lights when the Grey Wolves host Round Rock at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Joseph L. Searles Stadium.
The Killeen High Roos also will be on the field at 7 p.m. Thursday when they travel to face Cedar Park Vista Ridge at Gupton Stadium.
The action hits full-throttle Friday with two games in Killeen and one road tilt.
At 7:30 p.m. inside Leo Buckley Stadium, Ellison hosts Copperas Cove on homecoming, while Chaparral welcomes Kyle Lehman into Searles Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. start.
Meanwhile, Harker Heights travels to challenge Cedar Park at 7 p.m. in Gupton Stadium.
If the anticipation hasn’t quite hit, check in with each head coach and get hyped up for Week 1 before their teams take the field and dazzle the fans.
Killeen
On a steamy morning last Thursday, the Roos popped pads against defending the Class 6A Division II state champion Leander Vandegrift Vipers –– a tune-up test in the truest form.
Head coach Josh Sadler, now in Year 4, viewed the rumble as the perfect way to address any lingering concerns and also bask in the improvements made.
“The scrimmage was good for us to see both offensively and defensively where we lack,” Sadler said. “Playing an opponent such as Vandegrift will expose any weaknesses you may have. They did and we now can work to fix our problems as we head into Week 1.”
The Roos got off to a fast start against Vista Ridge at Leo Buckley Stadium a year ago but didn’t keep their feet on the gas in the second half. A second chance at victory awaits Thursday.
“2025 brings a new team and a new attitude,” Sadler said. “This group of young men is ready for the challenge of getting the Killeen Kangaroos back to their storied winning ways.
“It’s time to get back to work.”
Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/2s4hhmrm
Shoemaker
This season’s first home game for a KISD school belongs to the Grey Wolves, who last week scrimmaged Belton and turned in a solid showing, head coach Toby Foreman said.
“We were able to evaluate several athletes in our scrimmage, and we are very pleased with where we are at this time of the preseason,” said Foreman, whose team went 6-5 last season to qualify for the playoffs for the third straight year.
The Grey Wolves’ opener is the first of three consecutive home games to begin the season, and they won’t travel farther than Waco for any contest. That’s a welcome relief for a team that will play 10 games in a row before its idle date in Week 11.
“After a very long and tough offseason, spring, and summer, I believe this group of young men are as prepared and are as team-oriented as any group I’ve had in a long time. This is a good mixture of young and old, and they love each other,” Foreman said. “It’s always a special time of the year at the beginning, because everything is new and everyone has the same record. Both the players and myself are eager to take the field for the first regular season game of 2025.”
Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/5n8cj4at
Ellison
The Eagles, who snapped a seven-year playoff drought last season, have just three true home games in 2025. So, Friday’s contest comes with some added pizazz in the form of homecoming.
“The 2025 team is a work in progress. We lost quite a few key players from last year’s playoff team but we’re excited about the kids we have returning and the talent of our youth,” said Ellison head coach Danny Servance, who it at the doorstep of his fifth season in charge of the Eagles. “I am excited to see this group of young men take the field season. They have worked extremely hard in the offseason and it is time to see that work payoff.”
After Week 1, the Eagles are the “visiting” team against Killeen in Week 2 and against Shoemaker in Week 3. They don’t return to Killeen until Oct. 17 against Waco then host Waco University on Nov. 7.
Ellison and Copperas Cove combined for 83 points during last season’s opener won by the Bulldawgs. How many points will be tallied Friday? Be there to find out.
“We are extremely excited to kick off the season,” Servance added. “It’s been a long time coming and now we will continue to work hard and see what happens.”
Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/yckax4ny
Chaparral
Head coach Tyrell McCrea heads into Year 2 at the helm and believes the Bobcats have the ingredients to propel the fourth-year program to the next level.
Chaparral’s first test against Lehman comes a year after the Bobcats topped the Lobos,12-6, to give McCrea his first victory as head coach.
“I feel this 2025 team has the blueprint to turn this program around. After a successful offseason, we feel we have the mindset to do big things this year both in the classroom and on the field,” McCrea said. “We are proud of the growth but know there's always room for more. I can't wait to see the product we put on the field this season.”
The Bobcats tuned up for their opener with scrimmages in consecutive weeks against Austin Anderson and Manor, and McCrea said he saw improvement from scrimmage one to scrimmage two, checking off a goal he had for his squad.
“The mental mistakes decreased, the effort was high, and we matched their level of intensity each week,” he said. “As a coach, we strive for perfection, so we have things to work on. But it was great to see how we continue to improve from week to week.”
Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/hwuz8n8n
Harker Heights
The Knights looked sharp in their lone scrimmage last Thursday against Round Rock, and Humble appreciated his team’s relentless effort and was especially pleased that everyone exited the fray healthy.
“It was an outstanding scrimmage for all our teams,” Humble said. “There is no better preparation than being able to play against a quality football program to prepare you for Game 1.”
And speaking of Game 1, awaiting Harker Heights is Cedar Park, which is coming off a 6-5 record a year ago that included a 45-43 loss in five overtimes to the Knights at Searles Stadium.
Friday’s road game is the first of three straight away contests for Heights to open the season.
“Our kids, coaches and teams have been working extremely hard since last December to prepare for the 2025 season. We are excited to kick off the season and represent Harker Heights High School,” said Humble, whose team won a third straight district title in 2024.
“We look to continue to build on the success of our prior seasons. Every year brings unique challenges and opportunities, and we are honored to be able compete in this great game. We look forward to another year of ‘Repping the Shield’ and ‘Honoring Heights.’”
Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/2s3j4tb7
Reminders
Visit www.killeenisd.org/tickets all season to purchase tickets and be sure to download the HomeTown Ticketing app –– HomeTown Fan –– for easy access to your tickets this season.
Killeen ISD’s clear bag policy (https://www.killeenisd.org/page/event-clear-bag-procedure) will be in place. No outside food or drinks will be allowed.
For a complete varsity football schedule click here. All sports schedules are here.
Homecoming Games & Dances
Celebrate tradition and school spirit at your high school’s Homecoming Football Game! Join us for a night of pride, community, and alumni celebrations.
Games
Aug 29: Ellison HS at Buckley Stadium
Sept 12: Shoemaker HS at Buckley Stadium
Sept 26: Killeen HS at Buckley Stadium
Oct 3: Harker Heights HS at Buckley Stadium
Oct 24: Chaparral HS at Searles Stadium
For tickets to the game, visit: www.killeenisd.org/tickets
Dances
(Details about location, tickets and participation will be shared in each school’s newsletter and announcements.)
Ellison HS – August 30
Shoemaker HS – September 13
Killeen HS – September 27
Harker Heights HS – October 4
Chaparral HS – October 25
Military Appreciation Nights
KISD Athletics is proud to honor our military community with FREE general admission at the gate for:
Active Duty
Retired Military Service Members
VA Disabled Veteran Service Members
Simply present your current Military ID, Retiree ID, or VA Disabled Veteran ID.
Oct 2 – 7:00 p.m.: Chaparral vs. Georgetown (Searles Stadium)
Oct 10 – 7:00 p.m.: Killeen vs. Shoemaker (Buckley Stadium)
Oct 17 – 7:00 p.m.: Ellison vs. Waco (Searles Stadium)
Oct 31 – 7:00 p.m.: Shoemaker vs. Harker Heights (Buckley Stadium)
Nov 6 – 7:00 p.m.: Harker Heights vs. Temple (Buckley Stadium)
Join us as we celebrate and thank our military heroes this season!
Questions? Call KISD Athletics at 254-336-2672.