Published: September 05, 2006 07:29 pm            

Moore wants recognition for Roos defense

He’s only a junior, but Weatherford High School Kangaroos defensive end Kapron Lewis Moore is already a leader on the Roos defense.

“I’m the only one coming back from last year’s defensive ends,” Moore said. “Everyone last year was a senior, so I am kind of practicing that leadership role.

“It’s been working pretty well because I kind of have a little heads-up on them (other defensive linemen) and I try to show them and tell them what’s going on in the game. Just from experience, I can tell them what to look for on the downblock or when somebody’s pulling, I can tell them what to do. I think it’s working out pretty good.”

Moore is a 6-5, 230-pound force to be reckoned with on the Weatherford defense. In 2005, he finished with 35 tackles, including three sacks. He also tied for the team lead in fumble recoveries with three and led the defense with two touchdowns.

“Kapron has got that nose for the ball,” said WHS head coach Mike Sneed. “He always seems to be around the action where the play is, whether it’s making a tackle, hitting somebody, causing a fumble or getting a fumble, he just kind of has that knack of being a playmaker.

“If I knew how to design that, I would tell all the other guys how to do it, but you can either do it or you can’t.

“He is an excellent athlete and a really good student. He is one of the best guys on our team as far as leadership is concerned even though he is just a junior.”

Despite Moore’s numbers his sophomore season, to Sneed’s surprise, he was not named the district’s Sophomore of the Year.

“Actually, in our district, we had a lot of talent,” Moore said. “We had the running back from Mansfield, Donovan Roberts, and the wide receiver from Mansfield Summit who was pretty good, but I think I could have competed with those guys for that spot.

“I was glad I got honorable mention though, especially with the defensive ends that were seniors in the district last year that went to D-I schools. I was pretty surprised that I got thrown in there with their names.”

As good as his individual performance was as a sophomore, Moore is more concerned with bringing recognition to his whole defense rather than himself.

“It’s about the team as a whole,” Moore said. “I am focused on being the best defense in the district because we have great talent on defense all around. It does start with the defensive line, but I’m just real excited about our defense.

“For me, hopefully, I can get a couple more sacks than last year and maybe another touchdown or two.

“Basically, being the number one defense in the district is my goal.”

Moore said the way he can accomplish his goal is by working harder in all facets of the game.

“Actually, what I need to do is just work harder in the weight room and out here on the field,” Moore said. “I just have to try to get ready for the season.”

Moore said he has gained 15 to 18 pounds in the off-season to get ready for 2006. He also cut time off his 40-yard dash, dropping from 5.0 to 4.8. Along with the physical improvements, Moore also worked on his technique.

“I went to a Stanford camp out in California and they taught me a couple of pass rush moves and really just training,” Moore said.

Moore, like his teammate, running back Willie Fielder, is looking forward to Weatherford’s game at Aledo on Sept. 15, but there are some other games he is ready for as well.

“There are a couple of games I am looking forward to,” Moore said. “I have to start with Abilene Cooper because that playoff game last year really hurt me pretty bad. I am looking forward to taking that anger out on Abilene Cooper. Aledo, of course. That is going to be a big one, and probably Summit. I think we can compete with Summit this year, especially defensively. I think that is going to be a good test for us.”

Moore and his defensive line teammates have been going through some tests throughout the preseason, but those have been friendly encounters with the offensive line.

“The tug-of-war and pass rush, because we usually go against the offensive line, keeps the competition level up between each other,” Moore said. “Offense is usually talking and the defense is talking a little bit, but we like to have fun while we’re doing it.”

While Moore and the rest of the Weatherford football team has been preparing for this season since the end of 2005, he said the work pace really stepped up once the Roos put on the pads and soon they will be able to crack helmets with opposing teams rather than teammates.

        

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