The Wakeland football program has been praised for its steadiness, having made the playoffs every season over the last decade. For senior quarterback Jayden Maples, it means he’s only experienced schedules that went past the regular season.
2023 marked his first year of limited play, with the team progressing to the area round. Last year’s start was one of the team’s worst, slipping to 2-3 following an overtime loss to The Colony and conceding 35 points to Reedy and McKinney North.
However, the Wolverines regrouped for six consecutive wins on their route to another trip to the region round of the playoffs, due to Maples settling in as the signal caller down the stretch. He concluded the season with a 66.2 completion %, throwing for 2,804 yards and 27 touchdowns while also rushing for 155 yards and three scores.
Maples has set even loftier goals for 2025. Wakeland has gotten out to a 3-0 start with a trusted unit of skill players surrounding him and linemen in front of him, and the senior signal caller has continued to perform consistently.
Averaging three touchdowns per game, he has emerged as the offense’s vocal leader while also being an accurate arm with the game intelligence to extend the play and make the defense pay for his patience.
This week, Maples spoke with Star Local Media about his proudest experience as a Wolverine, his passion for the game, and more.
SLM: You were able to avenge last year’s overtime setback with a superb performance versus The Colony. Are those victories worth more?
JM: Yes, it’s a terrific feeling when all of your hard work and additional hours during the summer pay off. Those wins build up over time and contribute to great team spirit.
SLM: What have been your favorite aspects of being a Wakeland Wolverine?
JM: Nothing in my career so far has surpassed our overtime victory over Lone Star [in 2024].
SLM: The squad is 3-0 after two hard-fought games to start the season and a solid performance versus Lebanon Trail. Will early combat experience be beneficial in the long run?
JM: Yes, it showed the team how to overcome adversity and win close games.
SLM: What distinguishes this year’s team?
JM: Our team bonding and desire are at an all-time high, and I believe it shows when we can rally in close games and pull out a hard-fought victory.
SLM: What are your aims for this year?
JM: I’d like to make history at Wakeland.
SLM: As a senior, which leadership style best represents you?
JM: Being a vocal leader is one of my strengths. Having the capacity to rally this team through my words and voice.
SLM: How deeply ingrained is football in your life?
JM: I’ve been involved with football from the age of six. I remember my first pee-wee football game when I was six years old, playing middle linebacker in an age group with 7/8u. I enjoyed the sensation of touch; my first play was meeting the running back in the A gap and making the tackle.
That single play sparked my love for the game, and I believe that feeling lives on in me now because I never avoid contact.
