The Mayde Creek Rams play in a district where good sometimes just isn’t good enough. The Rams lost a close one to Fort Bend Kempner to start the season and beat Aldine Nimitz, 14-13, to end non-district play in 2016.
Then Mayde Creek lost seven straight district games, but some were closer than could be expected. Morton Ranch, a playoff team last season, had to hold off to beat Mayde Creek, 35-30. Cinco Ranch, another playoff team, didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard in its 29-12 win.
The Rams have just one win in the last two seasons, and they have missed the playoffs in eight straight seasons. Not since 2008 have the Rams tasted the playoffs, and even that was short-lived with a first-round exit.
Key Losses
RB Sean McConico, DB Dominick Gates, LB K.J. Dawson
McConico rushed for 1,111 yards and 12 touchdowns with a 6.31 yards-per-carry average. Gates and Dawson were also all-district picks.
Key Returners
WR Keyonte Fiakpui, QB Fred Brooks
Fiakpui led the Rams in receiving last year as a junior, hauling in 41 passes for 9 yards per catch and two receiving touchdowns. Brooks filled in at quarterback last season, competing 57 percent of his passes while tossing three touchdowns with just one interception.
Verdict
The 2017 season will be all about momentum for the Rams. It needs to start in Fall camp and solid performances in non-district.
Brooks and Fiakpui will make a good pass-catch punch, and the defense will need strong outings if the Rams want to buck their way through District 19-6A.
This is a top-heavy district, so the Rams need to set milestones along with goals. Typical goals are: make the playoffs, win district, win a playoff game and more. Mayde Creek needs to set milestones like: win two non-district games, get to .500 on the season for the first time in eight years, win a fourth district game and make the playoffs.
If the Rams can accomplish that, then it can set the foundation for years to come.
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