Preseason Review: Judson Rockets

The Judson Rockets, led by head coach Mark Soto, finished the 2024 season with a 4-6 overall record and 3-3 in district play. It was a year filled with ups and downs, but the team continued to compete with toughness and pride hallmarks of the Judson program. Despite the challenges, the Rockets showed flashes of their potential, with young talent stepping up and gaining valuable experience under fire. Coach Soto's group remained disciplined and physical on both sides of the ball, setting the foundation for what could be a bounce back year in 2025. With a strong core returning and lessons learned from a gritty 2024 campaign, expect Judson to reload and come back hungrier next season. The tradition is still strong in Converse.   Date | Opponent | Game Info 8/28 | vs Johnson | Johnson 9/5 | @ Hutto | Hutto 9/12 | @ SA Roosevelt | SA Roosevelt 9/18 | vs Bowie | Bowie 9/26 | vs East Central | East Central* 10/10 | @ Steele | Steele* 10/17 | vs San Marcos | San Marcos* 10/24 | @ Canyon | Canyon* 10/31 | vs Johnson | Johnson* 11/7 | @ Clemens | Clemens*    Elijah is a dynamic wide receiver whose game is built around speed and explosiveness. He's a natural playmaker with the ability to stretch the field vertically and create separation in space. Whether it's taking the top off the defense or turning a short route into a big gain, Elijah consistently shows the kind of burst that forces defensive backs to play off.   He runs with smooth acceleration, and his ability to transition in and out of breaks makes him a threat on intermediate routes, not just go balls. Elijah also tracks the ball well downfield and has shown reliable hands in contested catch situations.      Kayden is a tough, explosive running back who runs with purpose and vision. He shows great patience behind the line, allowing blocks to develop before accelerating through the hole with authority. Once he finds a crease, he shifts gears quickly and becomes a problem in the open field.   What stands out about Kayden is his ability to run with balance and body control. He can absorb contact, keep his legs churning, and pick up tough yards after contact. He's not just a straight line runner he has the agility to make defenders miss in space and the awareness to read defenses on the fly.      EJ may not be the biggest linebacker on the field, but he plays with a fearless edge and a true hitter's mentality. He flies downhill with urgency and doesn't hesitate to meet ball carriers in the hole with authority. His hit stick energy is evident he brings pop on contact and sets a tone for the defense.   What makes EJ stand out is his motor and physical toughness. He plays sideline to sideline, takes clean angles to the ball, and isn't afraid to mix it up with bigger linemen. He diagnoses plays quickly and trusts his instincts, which helps him make impact stops even when giving up size.      Marcel is a versatile defensive back with the ability to lock down in multiple roles whether he's playing the nickel, covering in the slot, or holding his own outside. He brings a high football motor and a gritty edge to his game, especially when working in tight spaces near the line of scrimmage.   As a nickel, Marcel shows quick reaction time and fluid hips, allowing him to mirror slot receivers and break on underneath routes. He's physical at the point of attack, unafraid to step up in run support, and doesn't shy away from contact. His ability to read and react makes him a natural disruptor in short yardage situations.      Nate is a steady, physical presence up front who brings toughness and consistency to the offensive line. Whether he's working at guard or tackle, he plays with a strong base, active hands, and a relentless motor in the run game. He finishes blocks with authority and doesn't shy away from contact Nate sets the tone in the trenches.   He shows good footwork in pass protection, keeping a balanced posture while handling edge rushers or interior pressure. His awareness in picking up stunts and blitzes shows a strong understanding of protections, and he plays with a team first mindset always looking to help and communicate across the line.   Nate is the kind of lineman that wins with technique, effort, and grit. As he continues to develop his strength and refine his punch timing, his ceiling at the next level will keep rising.      Ayden is a confident and instinctive defensive back who brings energy and discipline to the secondary. He plays with sharp eyes and quick feet, allowing him to break on the ball with purpose and timing. Whether he's playing over the top or locked into man coverage, Ayden stays composed and competitive from snap to whistle.   He's physical at the line of scrimmage, using his hands well to disrupt routes, and shows solid technique when flipping his hips and running with receivers. Ayden also tackles well in space he's not afraid to step downhill and make plays in run support.      Elieus is a smooth, competitive defensive back who brings a well rounded skill set to the secondary. He plays with strong instincts and isn't afraid to take on a challenge in coverage. Whether lined up outside or in the slot, Elieus stays disciplined with his technique and has a knack for staying glued to receivers throughout the route.   He breaks on the ball with urgency and shows good timing when contesting throws. Elieus also brings physicality to the field he's not just a cover guy, but someone who can come downhill and make tackles in space.      Asa is a high-motor linebacker who plays with toughness, urgency, and a fearless mindset. He reads plays quickly and wastes no time triggering downhill to make a stop. Despite not being the biggest player on the field, Asa brings physicality on contact and consistently finds a way to be around the football.   What sets Asa apart is his effort and nose for the ball he diagnoses run lanes well, scrapes with discipline, and isn't afraid to take on blockers to free up teammates or make the play himself. He also shows good range, allowing him to cover ground sideline to sideline.      Ayden is a rising star at wide receiver with the natural tools and mindset to be special. Even at a young age, he plays with maturity showing smooth route running, strong hands, and the ability to create separation against older competition. He's explosive off the line and can beat defenders with speed or footwork.   Ayden has a strong feel for the game understanding how to find soft spots in coverage and adjusting his routes mid-play. Once the ball is in his hands, he's dangerous. He turns upfield quickly, makes defenders miss, and isn't afraid to fight for extra yards.   With continued development and reps, Ayden has all the traits of a future go-to playmaker. The ceiling is high, and he's just getting started.      Jai'Strom is a dominant offensive lineman with the physical tools, technical skill, and high level experience to back up his growing list of offers. With schools like Florida, Arkansas, Auburn, Arizona State, and more already in pursuit, it's clear that Jai'Strom is one of the most coveted big men in his class.   On the field, he plays with controlled aggression finishing blocks with authority and setting a physical tone at the line of scrimmage. His footwork is clean for his size, allowing him to handle edge speed and mirror defenders in pass protection. In the run game, he consistently wins leverage and clears space with power and purpose.      Myles is a promising safety following in the footsteps of his older brother, Rashad Wisdom a former safety at UTSA and current player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Myles has embraced the legacy with a similar physical and mental approach to the game, showing maturity beyond his years.   He plays with a strong combination of instincts and aggression, consistently putting himself in position to make plays. Whether breaking on the ball in coverage or stepping up in run support, Myles is a reliable and versatile presence in the secondary.   His leadership on and off the field reflects the lessons learned from his brother's path, and he's committed to developing into a well rounded safety capable of making an impact at the next level. With continued growth in his technique and play recognition, Myles has the tools to be a difference maker.      Gabriel is a tenacious and disciplined defensive back who thrives on anticipation and quick decision making. He plays with a balanced approach, combining physicality with sharp instincts to control his side of the field. Gabriel's ability to read a quarterback's eyes allows him to jump routes and disrupt passing lanes effectively.     Omarion is a hardworking defensive back who is on the verge of making a significant leap in his performance. He shows flashes of excellent coverage skills and solid tackling but is hungry to refine his technique and overall consistency.   Omarion possesses the athleticism and competitiveness needed to be a playmaker in the secondary. He's quick to diagnose routes and works hard to stay locked in on receivers. While his footwork and ball skills are developing, his dedication in practice and film study signals he's ready to take that next step.     The Judson Rockets enter the 2025 season with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove. After a year marked by ups and downs, this group is hungry to restore the program's tradition of toughness, discipline, and playoff-level football. With a mix of experienced returners and emerging young talent, Judson has the tools to compete in every game and make noise in district play.

The Judson Rockets, led by head coach Mark Soto, finished the 2024 season with a 4-6 overall record and 3-3 in district play. It was a year filled with ups and downs, but the team continued to compete with toughness and pride hallmarks of the Judson program. Despite the challenges, the Rockets showed flashes of their potential, with young talent stepping up and gaining valuable experience under fire. Coach Soto's group remained disciplined and physical on both sides of the ball, setting the foundation for what could be a bounce back year in 2025. With a strong core returning and lessons learned from a gritty 2024 campaign, expect Judson to reload and come back hungrier next season. The tradition is still strong in Converse.