Panthers QB has stellar outing against No. 2 Aledo

The Colleyville Heritage football team came within five points of knocking off the second-ranked 5A team in the state on Friday night, and quarterback Camden Roane certainly did his part.

The Panthers senior passed for 323 yards and four touchdowns in the season opener against Aledo, and helped Colleyville to a fourth-quarter lead.

Coach Joe Willis said that he is very pleased with how Roane handles the offense and said he is expecting a big season from him.

“Cam has worked really hard in the offseason to develop not only his physical skill set, but also to learn the game and be a student of it,” Willis said. “I have enjoyed watching him develop into a leader on this team and his teammates recently verified that by voting him for another term at captain this year.”

Roane passed for 2,300 yards and 21 touchdowns last season to lead the Panthers to a playoff berth.

The Colleyville Heritage senior said that the difference between the vibe on this year’s team and last year’s team is apparent.

“This past season could easily be described as a settling year,” Roane said. “Everybody was just now settling in and getting used to all of the new changes. Considering all of this, the team played very well. Our 2015 seniors led us and helped to mature our current group of seniors for the 2016-2017 season.”

Roane is in the Leadership Program at CHHS and said he spent the offseason trying to improve to the team unity and getting everyone on the same page.

“I’ve worked on my chemistry with my teammates throughout the summer,” Roane said. “I’ve worked on building relationships and becoming closer to my guys.”

Roane said he believes the Panthers will have a good season if they can focus on not getting ahead of themselves.

“We’ve got to take our season day by day,” Roane said. “As long as we have solid practices and study our film, there isn’t a doubt in my mind we can accomplish what we set our minds to.”

Willis said he expects Roane to take the reins this season and said if he does, the sky is the limit for his senior quarterback.

“He has one of the most dynamic arms, and he is a dual threat as well,” Willis said. “I believe he is ready to have an unbelievable year this season.”

This story was originally published August 31, 2016 at 2:13 PM with the headline "Panthers QB has stellar outing against No. 2 Aledo."