Aldine ISD’s 2025 Pig Skin Preview
On Wednesday at the Aldine ISD Community Center, all of Aldine ISD’s football teams gathered for the Pig Skin Preview.
The annual event lets coaches speak and build anticipation for the football season. Each head coach discussed their players, staff, and expectations for the 2025 football season.
Aldine Mustangs Football
“In this season, it’s going to be about pressure,” said Cirilo Ojeda, Head Football Coach for Aldine High School. “Pressure is going to do one or two things. It’s either going to bust pipes or it’s going to make diamonds.”
Going into his fourth year as the Head Coach for the Mustangs, Ojeda is focused on swaying the direction of the program.
“The theme this year on campus is Revival Pride, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do in Athletics,” said Ojeda. “One thing I can promise about the Aldine Mustangs is that there is no quit in anything we do.”
Aldine will open the season Aug. 30 versus Kempner at Mercer Stadium.
MacArthur Generals Football
This will be Blake Ware’s second season as MacArthur High School Head Football Coach. He expressed that he wants to turn the football program around to the winning days of MacArthur Football.
“MacArthur was once a proud program,” said Ware. “A program where kids from other schools would buy our t-shirts and wear them back at their schools.”
Ware tells us that the three platforms in MacArthur are available, dependable, and accountable. He is looking forward to making a difference in the program, the kids, and the community.
“We had an unbelievable training camp and look forward to tackling our first three non-district games as they prepare us for our district opener,” said Ware. “We’re very excited about the product we are going to put out on the field this 2025 season.”
MacArthur will open the season Aug. 28 against Cy Ridge at Pridgeon Stadium.
Eisenhower Eagles Football
The new Eisenhower football head coach is Padraic McGinnis. McGinnis has had numerous successes at other programs like Hightower High School and North Shore.
In April, he took the head coaching job at Eisenhower, but upon seeing the number of kids he had to start with, he was surprised. He was stunned.
“In the middle of April, when I walked in, there were 19 kids,” McGinnis said. “I asked where the rest of the kids were. They said, ‘This is it.”
Having tirelessly recruited throughout the offseason, coach McGinnis has grown the program to 129 kids, a significant jump from the 19 he started with. He is proud of this accomplishment and is now ready to get to work.
In his speech, McGinnis stressed the importance of accountability. He wants to teach his players to make the right decisions, both on and off the field.
In his first year, McGinnis looks to lead the Eagles to a playoff berth.
Eisenhower will open the season on Aug. 28 against Westbrook at Thorne Stadium.
Nimitz Cougars Football
Entering his fourth season, head football coach Cornelius Harmon has led the Cougar Football team to a remarkable period of success. In each of his three years, the Cougars have achieved a winning record and secured a playoff berth.
Coach Harmon’s initial first-year class at Nimitz has now become his senior leaders. He invested in them from the very beginning, and he believes this is the year they will take the program to the next level.
“We have the opportunity to do something very, very special this year,” Harmon said.
In his three seasons at Nimitz, Harmon has yet to advance past the first round of the playoffs. This year, he is looking to pass the first round and more.
“I’ve been there. I’m itching. I’m crawling. I’m scrapping. This year, we’re getting there,” said Harmon.
Nimitz will face Morton Ranch on Aug. 30 at Rhodes Stadium to open the season.
Davis Falcons Football
The Falcons are coming off a second-place finish in district play.
“Our kids are choosing to make the state playoffs. They’re choosing to make a run at the state championship,” said Jermaine Mills, offensive coordinator for Davis High School. “That’s the choice they’re making when they put on the Davis Falcons Jersey.”
Coach Kelvin Chatman came on as the head coach of the Falcons in 2022. He came in with a mindset to build a culture of accountability, high standards, and excellence.
The Falcons’ slogan this year is “Row the boat.”
“Row the boat means unity. It means every hand on the ore, pulling in the same direction. It means we face adversity together,” said Mills. “Teamwork. Efficiency. Everybody in the boat must roll with the same rhythm, effort, and energy to reach that goal.”
Davis will open the season versus Willis on Aug. 29 at Thorne Stadium.
1, 2, 3 … Break!
With these dedicated coaches leading the way and the community rallying behind every team, this season promises unforgettable moments. As the lights shine on Thorne Stadium, Aldine ISD stands ready. Let the games begin.
About the Author: Christian Cortez
