A New Era for Iowa Park Football
Weldon Nelms, a Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor member, has returned to the sidelines after a 27‑year hiatus to lead the Iowa Park Hawks into their inaugural Class 4A Division II season.
Assuming the dual responsibilities of head coach and interim athletic director in late June, Nelms inherited a squad of 32 players, including a dozen seniors, and immediately set about reshaping the culture around teamwork rather than individual star power.
The Hawks will navigate five nondistrict matchups before stepping into district play, beginning with a home contest against Henrietta High School on August 28. Their upcoming district slate features Mineral Wells, Burkburnett, Brock, Bridgeport and Graham, a group of opponents that promises competitive balance.
Nelms has highlighted the importance of the team’s first scrimmage against Paradise, noting that the Hawks responded well to physical challenges, displaying energy and resilience that bodes well for the younger cohort.
Quarterback duties will be shared among juniors Reed McClain and CJ McNeill, while a wave of sophomores and other underclassmen are expected to contribute significantly as the team builds chemistry and depth.
Rather than relying on a single standout, Nelms emphasizes collective effort, aiming to lay a solid foundation that can sustain growth throughout the season and into future campaigns.
With the new classification comes fresh challenges, but Nelms remains optimistic that the blend of experienced seniors and eager underclassmen will allow Iowa Park to compete strongly from the outset.