Rockwall-Heath varsity football players read with students at Pullen Elementary on the morning of Friday, Aug. 28, launching a new game-day tradition hours before their season opener against Denton Guyer.
The program, called "Reading with the Hawks," pairs players with elementary students on game days. The Heath Hawks Football Booster Club posted photos of players greeting and reading with kids at the Rockwall campus.
The visit marks the first community event under new head coach Casey Dick, who replaced retired coach Rodney Webb. Webb compiled a 181-91 record as a Texas high school football coach. Dick, an Allen native and former Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback, won a state championship at Fayetteville (Ark.) High School before taking the Heath job, according to Texas Football.
The Hawks open the Casey Dick era against a tough opponent. Guyer is ranked No. 12 in MaxPreps state rankings and features four-star Oregon pledge Zane Rowe, who recorded 72 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and 8 sacks as a junior, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Heath finished 8-4 last season and reached the area round. Quarterback Prosper Neal returns after throwing for over 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. Running back Carter Zahm adds 1,220 rushing yards from 2025, according to Dallas Morning News preseason rankings.
The Hawks return four offensive starters and five defensive starters.
Kickoff is 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at C.H. Collins Complex in Denton.
