New Beginnings Under the Lights: Aldine Mustangs Usher in a New Era at WW Thorne Stadium

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The Aldine High School football team is gearing up to kick off the 2024 season with a sense of pride and responsibility as they become the first team in Aldine ISD to play at the brand new WW Thorne Stadium. The highly anticipated opening of the stadium, which has been under construction since 2022, marks a significant moment for the district and the community. For the Mustangs, it’s not just about playing football; it’s about reclaiming their place at the heart of Aldine ISD. Head football coach and Aldine campus athletic coordinator, Coach Cirilo Ojeda, is keenly aware of the importance of this moment. As his team prepares to take on Kempner High School on August 29th at 7 p.m., Coach Ojeda spoke about the significance of being the first Aldine team to play in the new stadium. “It’s a huge responsibility, and we don’t leave an elephant in the room,” he said when asked how this milestone is addressed in the locker room. “We are honored and humbled to have this opportunity. We’re in year three of this program, and we’re in the position to put the best product on the field that we have in the past three years. We know what it means to be there, we know who is going to be there, but the focus on the kids is going to be what happens in between those white lines.”

This season represents a pivotal year in the program’s rebuild for Coach Ojeda. Reflecting on his first year at Aldine, he recalled how the players were once scattered in the cafeteria during lunch, with little sense of unity. Now, the team has grown into a brotherhood, a transformation Coach Ojeda believes will translate into success on the field. He highlighted the leadership of seniors Samuel Saravia, Keishon Wiser, and Derion Williams, who have been instrumental in pushing the pace and setting the tone for the team.

21 Wiser, Keishon DL SR

“This season allows us to be a lot more seasoned than we’ve been in the past. This year is about our senior class. Changing the identity, when the kids start to take on that identity of the program and culture, where they see their coaches in the fieldhouse and putting in the time,” Coach Ojeda explained.

The opening of WW Thorne Stadium is not just about a new venue; it represents new expectations for Aldine ISD football. Coach Ojeda’s goal remains clear: to establish the Mustangs as a staple in the Houston area, a team that others do not want to face. With a rich history that includes national and state championships, the bar is set high, but the Mustangs are ready to meet it. The expectation is to win the district and make the playoffs, a goal that resonates deeply within the team.

The grandeur of the new stadium might bring distractions, but thanks to the foresight of District Athletic Director La’Kundre Thompson, the Mustangs will have the chance to get comfortable in their new home before game night. “Coach Dre Thompson’s leadership as the AD sets the tone for a lot of things we do. We’ll be in the stadium prior to the first game. This will help us be comfortable, and we’ll worry about the rest of the stuff later,” Coach Ojeda said.

As the Mustangs prepare to make history on August 29th, the excitement within the Aldine community is tangible. The new WW Thorne Stadium is more than just a venue; it’s a symbol of renewal, pride, and the bright future that lies ahead for Aldine High School football.