Rock Hills enters the 2026 football season with renewed optimism, and Waysen Colson believes the program is positioned to take a significant step forward after enduring the challenges of a short-handed roster a year ago.
After earning a starting role on both offense and defense as a freshman, Colson returns with valuable varsity experience and a leadership mindset. He’s eager to see what a larger, more talented squad can accomplish this fall.
“For the upcoming season I am most excited to see what we can accomplish as a young team,” Colson said. “We nearly have double the number of players compared to last year and talent to make it a successful season.”
The increased depth is a welcome change for Rock Hills after a season in which simply fielding a healthy lineup was a weekly challenge. That experience has fueled Colson’s desire to help build a stronger team culture while chasing victories.
“Honestly, my biggest goal for the team would be to get some wins,” he said. “Last year we had just enough players to play the game and it was hard to keep everyone healthy and uninjured.”
Colson spent the offseason preparing for a bigger role. He attended a football camp hosted by Nebraska coach Matt Rhule, where he focused on improving his running back skills and agility. When he wasn’t at camp, he balanced summer weights with long days working in the hay field and loading bales. He also made running a regular part of his routine to improve his conditioning.
The hard work wasn’t just about becoming a better ball carrier. Colson has also emphasized improving his play on the defensive side of the ball.
“One area I would like to improve on is my defensive form and ability to read plays without any hesitation,” Colson said. “Camp started a new mindset for me, and I hope to share my new knowledge with my teammates. Hopefully it can lead us to some wins on and off the field this season.”
Individually, Colson’s focus extends beyond statistics. He wants to be a player his teammates can count on while embracing the physical style of football he enjoys most.
“My goal is to keep my team united and motivated to play,” he said. “I want to play football and leave it all on the field. Running the ball and leaving it all out on the field. Nothing’s better than that.”
Looking back, Colson considers earning a starting spot on both sides of the ball as a freshman one of his proudest accomplishments. He credits the upperclassmen for making the transition to varsity a positive experience.
“One of the things I’m most proud of is being a starter my freshman year on offense and defense,” Colson said. “The upperclassmen treated me great, and I always felt valued and appreciated their guidance.”
His favorite memory from last season still brings a smile.
“My favorite memory of the season was at the Downs game,” Colson said. “I got tackled at my ankles, did a complete straight-bodied 360 flip and never let go of the ball. The photos are great, but the slow-motion replay in my head is better.”
