Concho Valley District Predictions: Can Menard Defend Their Crown in New District?

SAN ANGELO, TX-- District 8-2A DII, the lone district represented by the Concho Valley in Class 2A DII, is stacked.

The six-team district features five playoff teams from a year ago with Christoval, Irion County, Menard, Miles and Rocksprings each making the postseason in 2017. Add into that mix the fact that Eldorado, the only team to miss playoffs, is likely to challenge for a playoff spot.

That means the fight for a playoff spot from this district will be an all-out brawl.

Here’s how we at San Angelo LIVE think District 8-2A DII will shake out at the end of the year:

1. Menard Yellowjackets (2017: 9-3, Area Finalist)*
2. Christoval Cougars (2017: 4-7, Bi-District Finalist)*
3. Rocksprings Angoras (2017: 7-5, Area Finalist)*
4. Eldorado Eagles (2017: 2-8, Missed Playoffs)*
5. Miles Bulldogs (2017: 2-9, Bi-District Finalist)
6. Irion County Hornets (2017: 4-7, Bi-District Finalist)

Bold-Concho Valley Teams *-Playoff Spots

On paper, the Menard Yellowjackets, coached by Jayson Wilhelm, look to be distinct favorites. The Yellowjackets return 16 starters from last year’s 9-3 team. None look to be a bigger piece than senior running back Christian Salazar. The 170-pound back posted 1,750 yards on the ground last year and will be counted on to at least duplicate that performance this year.

Christoval is a team that many people are sleeping on. The Cougars saw a last-minute reshuffling and Brayden Wilcox had to take the reins as a freshman. After settling into a groove, Wilcox righted the ship and got the Cougars to the playoffs. Yet, that first playoff win at the 11-man level still eluded Christoval who moved up to 11-man in 1994. This year, a drop to Division II and a solid corps of 10 returning starters has Christoval thinking this is the year to get over the Bi-District hump.

Michael Johnson enters his second season as the head coach at Eldorado. Last year, the Eagles were putting the pieces in place for the future and still challenged for a playoff spot. This year, they get 15 starters and quarterback Kevan Covarrubiaz after missing 2017 with an injury. He will compete with Cesar Garcia for the starting spot, Regardless of who takes the snaps come Aug. 31, they will have great protection up front with Jack Griffin, Abert Arispe and Colton Arendt returning.

But you can’t rule out Irion County or Miles even though they have new head coaches.

Miles begins the Charles Boles era after hiring the former Lindsay head coach in the spring. During his six-year stint, Boles took the Knights to the playoffs in each of those seasons with a 49-20 record. He inherits 14 returning starters from last year which will likely help plant his roots in Runnels County.

Irion County promoted Lee Harvey to head coaching responsibilities in the spring after David Waddell departed for a coordinator gig at a bigger school. Harvey being familiar with the players and vice-versa makes the transition smooth. That will be big with the Hornets losing 10 seniors from last year. Nathan Chacon will be a big playmaker for the Hornets in his senior season and likely the key to success for the Hornets.