By the time the sun set Monday night, all five Killeen ISD football teams officially kicked off the 2025 season.
Ellison, Harker Heights, Killeen and Shoemaker settled into the swing of things Monday, holding their first practices of fall camp. Meanwhile, the Chaparral Bobcats –– fully padded and in full-contact mode –– steamrolled into their second week with the first of two scrimmages closing in Aug. 15.
(Teams that didn’t participate in spring practice in May begin fall practice one week before those who did and get two scrimmages instead of one.)
Fresh off a summer filled with voluntary strength and conditioning sessions, each team hit the ground running, harnessing the offseason’s momentum and setting the tone for what lies ahead.
Following a season in which three KISD football teams qualified for the playoffs in the same year for the first time, all five head coaches are back for 2025, ready to improve upon their teams’ 2024 output and guide their programs on the quest to raise the standard on and off the field.
“Our coaching staffs have done an outstanding job preparing our student-athletes for the season ahead. The focus and commitment shown throughout the offseason have been truly impressive, and we’re eager to see that progress reflected on the field,” Killeen ISD executive director for athletics Matt Carroll said. “It’s an exciting time for all of our programs, and we’re looking forward to a competitive and successful season.”
The Knights set a high bar by winning their third straight District 12-6A championship a year ago. Killeen High alum Mark Humble enters his third season in charge of the Knights, who kick off their season Aug. 29 at Cedar Park.
That contest is one of three straight non-district road tilts for HHHS to open the year. The Knights’ home opener is Week 4 against Midlothian on Sept. 18 inside Leo Buckley Stadium. Heights, which went 6-0 in district and 8-3 overall in 2024, is back on the road the following week to kick off their title defense against Hewitt Midway in the 12-6A opener.
KISD’s current longest-tenured football head coach Toby Forman returns for his ninth season in charge of Shoemaker, which is coming off a 6-5 season and third consecutive playoff appearance.
The Grey Wolves, who qualified for the postseason in five out of the last six seasons, face Round Rock inside Searles Stadium on Aug. 28 for a Week 1 encounter, one of three straight home games out of the gates.
Shoemaker’s district slate begins with a road test against Temple on Sept. 26.
Fourth-year Killeen High head coach Josh Sadler leads KISD’s third 12-6A representative into the new year with sights set on turnaround. The Roos will pack their bags in Week 1 for an Aug. 28 date at Cedar Park Vista Ridge.
Their 12-6A journey begins Sept. 26 at home against Copperas Cove.
The Ellison Eagles snapped a seven-year postseason drought in 2024 and aspire make another run as they dive into 2025.
Head coach Danny Servance, now in Year 5, will lead Ellison into its season opener Aug. 29 versus Copperas Cove at Leo Buckley Stadium.
The Eagles’ take flight into District 10-5A-II action starting Oct. 9 on the road against Belton.
Tyrell McCrea laid the groundwork in 2024 and has the Chaparral Bobcats primed for upgrades in Year 2 as head coach. KISD’s four-year-old school slides into the season with a home game Aug. 29 against Kyle Lehman.
The traveling ramps up over the next three weeks with away games against non-district foes Manor New Tech and Lampasas, and District 8-5A-I opponent Cedar Park.
“Our student-athletes put in the hard work to represent our schools with pride, sportsmanship and passion. Now it’s our turn to show up for them,” Killeen ISD executive director for athletics Latisha Williams said. “I encourage fans to pack the stands, wear your teams’ colors and bring the energy this season. We want to make sure they feel the support and positive encouragement they’ve earned.”
Scrimmages
Chaparral: 9 a.m. Aug. 15 vs. Austin Anderson at Searles; 7 p.m. Aug. 21 at Manor
Ellison: 7 p.m. Aug. 21 at Manor New Tech
Harker Heights: 7 p.m. Aug. 21 vs. Round Rock at Buckley
Killeen: 9 a.m. Aug. 21 vs. Leander Vandegrift at Buckley
Shoemaker: 7 p.m. Aug. 21 at Belton
Varsity composite schedule
Mobile ticketing
The easiest way to get your seat to an exciting regular-season event is to visit the KISD Athletics box office page: www.killeenisd.org/tickets. Fans also can go directly to https://events.hometownticketing.com and search for their team.
More info can be found at https://killeenisdtx.sites.thrillshare.com/article/2320485.
Clear bag policy
KISD athletic venues have a clear bag policy in place. To read more, visit: https://www.killeenisd.org/page/event-clear-bag-procedure