Mayde Creek has gone through some changes since last season ended. 

Former Rams head coach J. Jensen has moved into a role with Katy ISD as an assistant athletic director, but stayed on until the summer to help transition the role to new head coach Mike Arogbonlo, who comes from Duncanville after helping the Panthers win a state title. That transition has gone seamlessly and Mayde Creek has continued to make improvements going into this year.

The Rams improved last year after three years of struggles, winning two district games and three overall with a very young team that didn’t lack grit or determination. Arogbonlo has seized the talented players on the roster and helped foster a new culture as they approach the season, and Mayde Creek has big goals for the season ahead.

“I just want to come in here and instill confidence in these guys and change how we are viewed around the district,” Arogbonlo said. “There are so many athletes and playmakers coming into this school every year and we are going to make the most of that, were going to play fast, play side to side and get these dudes in space. It’s going to be a fun team and a fun year. I’m excited.”

The Rams return some key players, especially at the skill positions and those players just may be the key to improving. On offense, Cole Jensen will lead the way at quarterback going into his senior year and he’ll have plenty of weapons to throw and hand off to with the likes of Trey Williams, Chad Nelson, Christian Bradford and Daylin Robinson. The teams offensive line has continued to step up throughout the offseason as well and Arogbonlo is excited about what he has on that side of the ball.

“This group can be really special,” Arogbonlo said. “These guys are going to be put in position to make plays and do what they’re best at, we’re not going to make them play in disadvantageous positions. The offense starts with the quarterback and Cole Jensen has done a tremendous job has been great there and then guys like Chad, Trey and Daylin have been great. I love what I’ve seen out of these guys.”

Defensively, Kosi Okpala and Johnaton Haywood will for a strong duo at linebacker that will be the spine of the defense. The Rams defense made strides last season and they are trying to take another step this year.

“We are really excited about what we have on the defensive side of the ball as well,” Arogbonlo said. “Everyone knows how good Johnaton is, but I think Tosi is going to really shock some people this year. We tweaked some things and are going to use him to his strengths and Johnaton has been our captain and biggest leader on that end and he’s just making plays constantly. We have players and athletes all around and I might be more excited about that side than I even am about the offense.”

Mayde Creek will play Fort Bend Travis and Fort Bend Austin, both places where Arogbonlo coached, in its first two games before district play starts with Taylor and Jordan. That first month of the season from early August to September will be key for the Rams as they adjust things and figure out the new offense and defense before district starts up.

“We know how important those first two games are going to be for us,” Arogbonlo said. “I know all those guys from when I coached there and have so much respect for them. But it will be fun and the kids are excited about it because they’ve bought in to the way we are doing things. We have to use those two games to work out all the kinks because after that, there’s no more room for mistakes. But we can’t wait to get those games going and start off the season.”