With the football season right around the corner, Killeen ISD coaches put their pep-talk voices to use Wednesday and pumped up a room full of community members.
As guests of honor during the Rotary Club of Killeen’s monthly meeting at the Killeen Arts and Activities Center, the coaches reflected on the year that was and revved the engine for what’s to come on their campuses in 2026-2027 while giving members a quick rundown of all the success happening every day in KISD athletics.
“We just want to thank these coaches for coming out today as they do each year, giving us insight on what’s going on in the district and how we can be involved in it,” Rotary Club of Killeen president Warren “Tex” Wilson Sr. said. “This helps our community by further emphasizing that we are all in this together and we can do better together.”
For Ellison football head coach Danny Servance, Harker Heights assistant football coach and head baseball coach Randy Culp, and Chaparral football head coach Tyrell McCrea, Wednesday’s gathering was more like a Rotarian reunion.
However, for Killeen High football head coach Roderick Sneed and Shoemaker football head coach Roy Locks, who are heading into their first seasons in charge, Wednesday had the look of a light-hearted introductory news conference. Sneed drew the honor of taking the podium first, much to the delight of his peers, who chuckled as he made his way front and center.
“I am very excited about our program in its entirety,” Sneed said. “We have some great excitement in our building.”
More photos: www.killeenisd.org/photos
Each coach took time to brag on the accomplishments of not only their football team but every team in their school's athletic program while also speaking on the importance of leading with purpose, reaching for high standards, having program pride and being good examples in competition and the class room.
Locks said that the district’s community engagement remains an important part in high school athletics.
“The Rotary does a lot for our community, so to be able to be here and be a part of it was pretty cool,” Locks said. “Having the chance to promote our kids in front of community members is huge.”
KISD Executive Director for Athletics Latisha Williams thanked the Rotary Club for their continued support and lauded the coaches in attendance for their commitment to leading KISD’s student-athletes.
“We hope to see you on Thursday nights, Friday nights, Monday nights, all the nights because we have a lot of things going on,” Williams said. “To be able to work with these gentlemen day in and day out, I am blessed. There are no people who work harder than them.”
Killeen and Chaparral opened fall camp Monday, Aug. 3, since those programs did not participate in spring practice. Harker Heights, Ellison and Shoemaker report for Day 1 on Monday, Aug. 10.
The Roos kick off the regular season in KISD on Thursday, Aug. 27 on the road against Liberty Hill.
The rest of the bunch gets underway Friday, Aug. 28 when Ellison is at Copperas Cove, Harker Heights is at Hutto, Shoemaker hosts Nuevo Leon at Leo Buckley Stadium and Chaparral welcomes Waco University to Joseph L. Searles III Stadium.
The full KISD varsity football schedule can be found here.
Season tickets are currently available through HomeTown Ticketing
· Chaparral: https://tinyurl.com/26ea4299
· Ellison: https://tinyurl.com/4ww9rdmj
· Harker Heights: https://tinyurl.com/yu5d82hc
· Killeen High: https://tinyurl.com/3kb9kek3
· Shoemaker: https://tinyurl.com/mssby29m
Fans over the age of 55 are eligible for the Golden Age Card, which can be picked up inside the KISD Administration Building (200 N. WS Young Dr. Killeen, TX 76543). More info can be viewed here.