ROBINSON, Texas — After a three-year hiatus from the playoffs, the Robinson Rockets are seeking a return to the postseason under a new head coach, their third in four seasons.
Mike Ludlow joins Robinson after serving as the offensive coordinator at North Forney High School. He replaces Robert Rubel, who coached at Robinson for two seasons.
"This felt like home," Ludlow said. "I came into town when they told me to come over, and it was 'Rocket Cafe,' 'Rocket Cleaner,' 'Rocket Car Wash.' It felt like home. You've got that identity, that last one out lights out on Friday night."
Ludlow is a high-energy coach. During the first practice of the season, he was sprinting from sideline to sideline, leading drills, encouraging players and helping his new assistant coaches.
On Tuesdays, Robinson has made it their goal to "bring the juice," or carry a high-energy, enthusiastic effort into practice.
"Our core value for Monday is gonna be attack," Ludlow said. "But our core value for Tuesday is gonna be juice. So we're gonna bring the juice every chance we get. It's contagious."
Ludlow believes he is already seeing significant buy-in from his players, including Dante Drake, a senior defensive lineman who has committed to play for Wyoming in college.
"We've been pushing that since he got here," Drake said. "We have juice on Tuesday, but why not bring the juice every day. We're just here to get business done."
Drake is part of a stable of returning Rocket starters. Seven starters from 2021 return on both sides of the ball.
"I feel like we have a chance with the boys we've got coming to turn it into the last one out lights out mentality," Ludlow said. "Cause everyone is gonna be there wanting to be a part of it."
2022 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE:
8/26 at Waco University 7:00
9/2 vs Caldwell 7:00
9/9 at Taylor 7:30
9/16 vs Fairfield 7:00
9/23 at Hillsboro 7:30
9/30 vs Waxahachie Life 7:00
10/7 vs Salado* 7:00
10/14 at Madisonville* 7:00
10/21 Open
10/28 vs Gatesville* 7:00
11/4 at Waco Connally* 7:30
*District Game
Click here for more 2022 season previews.
