At just 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, CE King senior running back Dionne Sims doesn’t look like the prototype of a star in Texas 6A football.
He’s heard it all, too small, not built for the grind. But each doubt has only sharpened his edge. As a Touchdown Club of Houston preseason honoree, Sims has turned years of underestimation into fuel for one final statement season.
“I’ve been hearing I was too small to play running back in 6A Region III District 23 since I was a freshman,” said Sims. “However, that only motivated me to want to shatter every limitation people put on me.”
The 6A Region III District 23 is arguably one of the toughest in Texas. It’s home to perennial powers North Shore, Summer Creek and Atascocita. The district has produced running backs like Oklahoma freshman Tory Blaylock, Colorado State sophomore Lloyd Avant and former NFL back Zachary Evans, all known for their size and durability in a league where weekly punishment is inevitable.
Sims, however, refused to let his stature dictate his ceiling.
“I never let the words of someone who watches me play from the stands bother me because I know the work I’ve put in will carry me through whatever challenges are thrown my way,” said Sims.
Rather than drowning out the noise, Sims reshaped his response, leaning on his father’s guidance, building mental toughness and embracing meditation.
This influence led Sim’s father to instill in him the motto ‘it’s hard but it’s fair.’
“The motto It’s hard but it’s fair keeps me level-headed because I know no matter what challenges I face on the field, I’ll be ready for them because I put in the hard work,” said Sims.
Breathing techniques became part of his pregame routine.
“Breathing techniques have worked wonders for me; they help keep my head steady when I’m playing,” said Sims.
That mental edge was tested in CE King’s clash with Atascocita.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been more tired in my life, but I refuse to be mentally weak enough for tiredness to pull me out of a game,” said Sims.
When Sims’ father, Dionne Sims Sr., first told his son, “It’s hard but it’s fair,” it wasn’t just a football lesson.
“Hard but fair means life is hard and there will be challenges you face at times that are just a part of life, not unfair treatment,” said Sims Sr. “My son’s growth beyond football is in his leadership. The willingness to take charge and get things done when others are unwilling. His determination to succeed and whatever he sets his mind to becomes. He has grown into a self-driven young man and I’m very proud of him for that.”
That mindset proved vital during Sims’ toughest battle not against an opponent, but against his own body. Late in his junior year, Sims suffered a knee injury.
“I was devastated,” said Sims. “It felt like my dream of playing college ball was at risk.”
But rehab became his proving ground.
“I went through rehab very smoothly because my confidence as a player wasn’t wavered by my injury,” said Sims. “You never know when adversity will come, but u have to be confident enough to push through tough times and that’s what I did.”
CE King head coach Cory Laxen praised his perseverance.
“Dionne stayed focused on rehabbing and getting healthy. He was still very active in the locker room and was a leader at practice,” said Laxen. “Although he wasn’t at 100%, actions speak louder than words. He was still doing all he could to let his team know that their success meant something to him.”
Resilience paid off not only in his comeback but also in helping CE King rewrite program history. For the first time, the Panthers defeated Atascocita, a long-time district powerhouse. Sims exploded for 435 yards and six touchdowns on 32 carries.
“Beating Atascocita was not only big for me but for the CE King program as a whole,” said Sims. “As a senior, I’m glad I went out with a bang against those guys.”
The win silenced doubters as CE King, often overshadowed in the district, finally toppled a perennial contender.
“It felt great to know that we made history, but at the end of the day, it was a business trip and we handled them just like we were supposed to,” said Sims.
“Dionne has set the standard for CE King both on and off the field,” added Laxen.
That historic win and Sims’ consistent production have underscored his message: Size is just a number. According to MaxPreps, Sims is averaging 217 rushing yards per game.
He hopes his impact extends beyond stats.
“I want to be seen as a guy who brought change to CE King not only with my athletic work but also my character,” said Sims. “Younger athletes should trust the process and never stop grinding because when you lose that hunger, it’s hard to get it back.”
“Dionne has the heart of a champion and he demonstrates that in his daily life,” said Laxen.
From doubted to decorated, Sims’ story isn’t just about breaking tackles, it’s about breaking perceptions.
“Can’t nobody take away what’s for you. Just keep putting in the work and watch what happens,” said Sims.
About Dionne Sims:
Class: 2026
IG: @mr.watchtheplay
Twitter: @dionne_cf
Position: Running back
Height & weight: 5-feet-,10 170 pounds
Favorite artist: Juice WRLD
Status: Committed to SFA
Favorite subjects: Business statistics
Shout-outs: CE King coaching staff and my offensive line
