Austin Shields, a junior at Weatherford, plays on both sides of the ball lining up at wide receiver on offense and in the secondary on defense. Shields utilizes his skills to make plays wherever there is an opportunity to capitalize. He’s been working hard in the offseason to improve his game. Shields knows what he does well, what he wants to improve on, and how to get the job done.

“I feel as if I’ve done well in reading plays and having good reaction timing,” Shields
said. “I’ve been trying to improve my speed as well as my strength.”

Shields thanks his brother for setting a good example and pushing him to work harder and improve every day. Shields said his brother is the type of person who keeps him motivated and doesn’t let him ever slack off.

“I’d say one of my biggest role models is my brother. He was the one who always pushed me,” Shields said. “Whenever I didn’t want to wake up for workouts he would drag me out of bed and make sure I was there.”

Shields knows that hard work pays off and has seen the results of his effort.

He recalled one fond memory from an offseason scrimmage. “My favorite memory is probably when I got an interception against Clinton in a seven on seven on the very first play,” Shields said.

This year, Shields is looking forward to fall competition, and competing week in and out. He wants to prove anyone doubting Weatherford football wrong.

“We still have some fight and courage in us,” Shields said.

Outside of football, Shields is an avid fisherman. He participates on the Weatherford High School Fishing Team and enjoys spending time with his buddies. Entering his junior year of high school, Shields hasn’t completely settled on a definite plan for his future, he still has time to decide. But expect him to enjoy the next two years at Weatherford balancing academics, football, and fishing.