MILES, TX — The Miles Bulldogs have been building momentum the last couple years, and it’s not just the Concho Valley that has noticed.
Miles is ranked No. 16 in the state in Class 2A Division II heading into the 2024 high school football season.
Miles has gained some statewide attention with its recent 7-on-7 success, which included state titles in the summers of 2022 and ‘23.
The Bulldogs went 8-4 last fall and claimed the program’s first playoff win since 2014.
Miles Bulldogs 2023 Bi-District Champions
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
Though Miles graduated standout quarterback Hayven Book, 17 other starters return, including a stable of playmakers.
“We have lots of experience, and that’s a big plus,” Miles head coach Jayson Wilhelm said. “Sometimes you get a young team or new coaches or something, and you have to go in and start over and install things on Day 1.
“I think we’ll be able to jump into it pretty quickly, and probably within a few weeks we’ll be able to pick up where we left off last year.”
Liam Yancy will be tasked with replacing Book. The sophomore gave a glimpse of his potential when he led Miles back to the 7-on-7 state tournament last summer, guiding the Bulldogs to the quarterfinals.
“I’m fired up about him,” Wilhelm said. “He can make all the throws. He’s smart. And I think he’s aware of the situation right now. Being a sophomore, he’s got a lot of seniors around him, and he’s not going to be asked to do too much. He just needs to go in there and run the offense and get the ball to the guys that need it.
“He’ll have some growing up to do, and for a few weeks we’ll probably be patient a little bit. Hopefully by the time district rolls around, he’ll be a lot more comfortable and ready to play like he’s a veteran.”
Having one of the best wide receivers in West Texas will help. Last year, Cooper Ellison had 66 catches, 1,091 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns – all of which led the Concho Valley.
Miles wide receiver Cooper Ellison
Other returning wideouts include Dillon Medina (25 catches, 437 yards, 4 TDs) and Jaylen Torres (21 catches, 287 yards, 4 TDs).
“One of the things we need to focus on offensively is making sure we’re getting those guys touches every week,” Wilhelm said. “It’s real easy to put the ball close to where Cooper is at and let him make a play, but these other guys are plenty talented, too.”
Miles also has a talented backfield, led by running back Tevin Meade, a speedster who has been clocked at 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. Last year, he rushed for 964 yards and 16 TDs, and he added 12 catches for 262 yards and five TDs.
He’s joined by Devin Medina, who had 712 rushing yards and four TDs.
Miles has a strong offensive line, led by senior returners Lane Godfrey (6-1, 190), Colton Kelly (6-5, 240) and Jaxon Petillo (602, 190). Sophomore Jaxon Hohensee is also back after seeing playing time as a freshman.
The line’s lack of depth is one area of concern, Wilhelm said.
“Three of those guys will probably have to play for us on the defensive side as well, so managing those guys’ reps will be important,” he said.
The Miles Bulldogs huddle up in a 2023 scrimmage.
Kelly, a first-team all-district selection on both sides of the ball, had 72 tackles last year on the defensive line. He’ll be joined up front by Godrey and Petillo.
“Lane Godfrey’s got a real good nose for the football. We’ll probably find a couple ways to use him. He’ll primarily be at defensive tackle, but he’s just got that motor defensively and finds a way to get to the football,” Wilhelm said.
The linebacker corps will be led by Jaylen Torres, who had 86 tackles and four sacks last year, and Devin Medina, who had 77 tackles. Dalton Fischer, who suffered a season-ending knee injury on the opening kickoff of the season last year, is also back.
Ellison, Meade and Dillon Medina will lock down Miles’ secondary.
Wilhelm said stopping the run is a point of emphasis for the defense.
“If we can stop the run, we know other teams have to put the ball in the air, and that’s where our best athletes are,” Wilhelm said. “So that’s what our focus is on right now, and that’s where we’ve struggled.”
Miles will open the season Friday, Aug. 30, at home with an exciting matchup against Sonora, a 2A Division I team that went 11-2 last year.
Other nondistrict highlights include a rematch with Ozona after last year’s 70-68 shootout that Miles won, and the first-ever meeting with Johnson City, another 2A D-I team that went 9-3 last season.
Despite being ranked No. 16, there are two teams ranked above Miles in District 7-2A D-II — No. 2 Albany, the back-to-back defending state champ, and No. 14 Roscoe.
Considering the task it would be to topple Albany, which beat Miles 41-0 last year, the Bulldogs may be playing for second place. The Bulldogs will have to avenge a 34-33 loss to Roscoe to do that.
The rematch with Roscoe, led by all-state running back Ivan McCann, will be the last week of the regular season in Miles.
Miles Bulldogs
2024 schedule
Aug. 30 at Sonora
Sept. 6 Sterling City
Sept. 13 Johnson City
Sept. 20 at Eldorado
Sept. 27 at Ozona
Oct. 4 Open
Oct. 11 at Albany*
Oct. 18 at Cross Plains*
Oct. 25 Hamlin*
Nov. 1 at Winters*
Nov. 8 Roscoe*
*District 7-2A Division II game
2023 results
Kermit W 72-12
Sterling City L 32-36
Water Valley W 26-18
Winters W 66-36
Ozona W 70-68
Albany L 0-41
Hamlin W 63-8
Abilene TLCA W 56-6
Roscoe L 33-34
Cross Plains W 49-19
Sterling City W 48-0
Collinsville L 69-21
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