After season-ending knee injury, Azle running back thrives in return

In 2024, Azle freshman King Stephens was well on his way to, well, the kind of season he’s having now. Then came the moment all running backs dread.

“I tore my ACL and MCL. I was running the ball on our counter play to the left. The corner made a tackle on me just as I was cutting,” Stephens recalled, recoiling inside at the memory. “My foot had just made contact with the turf, and the tackle happened.”

That was against Denton Ryan on Oct. 18, 2024. His season was over, and all he could do was watch and cheer as his teammates advanced to the playoffs and finished 7-4.

“I have a really tight and supportive group of people in my life that helped me with my emotions — my mom, my family, my coaches, my teammates, my friends, and pretty much the whole town of Azle,” he said. “I stayed involved and continued to go to school, games, and hang out with my friends. That helped me because it was my normal.

“My goal was to win every day, one day at a time.”

Back in full force

Stephens said he is back to 100%, and it shows. Through Week 9 he is averaging 188 yards per game and is on the way to 1,800 rushing yards when the season is over.

He gained 314 yards and scored four touchdowns against Weatherford on Sept. 5. He had 243 yards and two TDs against Denton on Sept. 19, and he ran for 230 yards and found the end zone four times against Fossil Ridge on Oct. 10.

Although the playoffs are likely out of the equation for Azle (2-6, 2-4 District 3-5A Division I), he’s happy just to be suiting up to play again.

“Playing this season has been such a blessing. I know things happen for a reason, and God will never lead me to something I can’t handle,” he said. “This injury made me realize how much I love the game and how much I missed it.”

Stephens had never experienced a major injury before, just the usual bumps and bruises that come with playing football. Recovery was intense, he said, but he was determined.

He entered therapy rehabilitation four days after his surgery, going two or three times a week. It was a physical, mental and emotional challenge unlike he’d ever known before.

Then came his return to the field.

“When I first tested myself, I was a little nervous, but I was very confident I was good. I knew all of my hard work and discipline made me ready for the moment,” he said. “During all of my therapy, I knew I had become stronger, and I knew I was ready.

“The day [physical therapist Kelsey Robers] told me I was released, I was so excited. I called my running backs coach, Coach [Jason] Vines, and told him I was good to go. He told all of the coaches, and I could hear them screaming and yelling because they were excited. It was one of the best days of my life because of the journey I had and all the hard work.”

Azle head football coach Devon Dorris praised his standout player for his determination in battling back. He said though young, he’s shown himself to be a leader.

“King has a great work ethic and personality that rubs off on his teammates,” Dorris said. “Even though he is only a sophomore, he has a huge impact on his teammates more than just on the field.”

An athletic family

Stephens began playing football in the sixth grade because “I love it and my mom let me,” he said with a chuckle.

Stephens, who also plays basketball and runs track, comes from an athletic family.

“My family loves sports,” he said. “My mom and stepdad love sports and love watching them. We moved to Azle from Georgia and have always been big fans of the University of Georgia.”

His older brother Zion is a senior on the basketball team. His younger brother Prince is a freshman and also plays basketball.

His sister Kennedi is in the seventh grade and plays volleyball, flag football, and basketball, while his fourth-grade brother Destin plays football and basketball.

While King Stephens has plenty of high school sports ahead of him, he already has his sights set on playing in college.

“It is my dream to play in college. I got invited to the TCU game against Colorado. I got to hang out with former Azle Hornet Eric McAlister and watch him catch two touchdowns,” he said excitedly. “The whole experience at TCU showed me it was awesome, and I was so happy they invited me.

“I am so blessed to get to play this great game. I cherish every minute of every practice, every play in every game, because I know how much I missed it for the short time I was out. I can’t wait to see God’s plan for me.”

This story was originally published October 30, 2025 at 4:15 AM.