Willowbend Rogues Football Team

Founded originally at Exel Lions, a collaborative with Willowbend Residential Treatment Center in Tyler, Texas. The facility is a boy-only residential treatment center for children removed by Child Protective Services. Statutory mandate is that children in CPS care have “normalcy”, and there is nothing more normal in Texas than a high school age male, playing football. During the first two seasons of the integrated play, considerable differences in self-worth, self-regulation and discipline have been observed in the individuals that have played with Willowbend. In fact, grades for the student-athletes have shown a dramatic increase, as we apply the Don’t pass, Don’t play rule consistent with UIL schools and teams. In 2018, Exel football became Willowbend, and the mascot changed from the lions to the Rogue. Rogues is the mascot, as the players, “We are who we are” motto, that regardless of backrground or history, each of us are vital to the teams development and success. Team honors Marty Lawrence and Jean Lawrence, who passed away in a car wreck September 30, 2017. The team continues to honor their love and dedication, by wearing a memorial logo on the Rogue’s helmet.