SONORA, TX — After one of the most productive football seasons West Texas has ever seen, there is one question that immediately comes to mind with the 2024 Sonora Broncos.
How in the world are they going to replace Edgar Deluna?
The Broncos’ star rushed for 2,538 yards and 35 touchdowns last year in 13 games. He might have somehow been even better on defense with 130 tackles, including 20 tackles for loss, 8 interceptions and 5 forced fumbles.
Sonora's Edgar Deluna rushed for 2,538 yards and 35 touchdowns last year in 13 games. He might have somehow been even better on defense with 130 tackles, including 20 tackles for loss, 8 interceptions and 5 forced fumbles.
The simple answer is there’s no replacing a player like that. Deluna was part of a strong senior class that graduated 24 players, and that may be why Sonora isn’t represented in the preseason Top 25 rankings despite going 11-2 last year.
While some may be expecting a drop off, Sonora head coach Blake Weston sees a team that is about to present a new challenge for opponents to figure out.
“We lost some big shoes, but we’ve got athletes everywhere, and I think we’ll be more balanced and well-rounded this year,” Weston said. “Teams are going to realize they have to defend the whole field.
“Then defensively, we’re going to have 11 dudes that fly around everywhere, so it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Sonora already showed the ability to overcome the loss of one of the area’s best quarterbacks when Jaime Buitron suffered a preseason knee injury last year.
Juan Castillo stepped in and went 5-0 as a starter in the absence of Buitron, who returned but wasn’t at full strength the rest of the season.
Castillo would seem to be the obvious choice to take the reins of Sonora’s offense again this year, but who will ultimately be the Broncos’ QB is the second big question facing this team.
Sonora Takes Home the Gold Ball for Area (LIVE! Photo)
Sophomore Aaron Segura led Sonora to the 7-on-7 state tournament over the summer. Segura is more of a throw-first, pocket passer, which worked best for the Broncos in the pass-driven 7-on-7 game.
Weston isn’t sure what style of QB will work best for the Broncos this fall.
“Right now, Juan is obviously the frontrunner, but we’ve had some talks because he’s a super talented kid who’s a really good wide receiver for us, and he’s good at running the football, so he could kind of be a Swiss Army knife,” Weston said. “He won some big games for us, and he had the hardest job on the team last year. Filling in for Buitron was almost impossible, so he’s earned every right to be the starter.”
Whoever is Sonora’s signal caller will be surrounded by playmakers.
Kam Aguero was a first-team all-district wide receiver who had 35 catches for 621 yards and 9 TDs.
Dylan Ford, an all-state defensive back last year, projects to be the Broncos’ top running back in a crowded backfield.
Other offensive weapons include Jose Guerra, David Luna, Justin Gonzalez and Cason Boggs, along with first-team all-district tight end Owen Jones.
“I think we’ve got a stable of running back/receivers,” Weston said.
Sonora will have to replace three starters on the offensive line. The Broncos return Christian Martinez, a first-team all-district pick, and Carmelo Alviso.
“They’re both third-year starters, and they’ve played probably 30 games between the two of them,” Weston said. “Then we’ve got some younger kids we’ll lean on to get the job done and fill those other spots.”
Sonora take the field for their Homecoming Game against Alpine (LIVE! Photo)
Sonora returns six starters on defense, including four in the secondary with Aguero, Ford, Castillo and Guerra.
Boggs and Jones will return to lead the Broncos up front, but Sonora will be inexperienced at linebacker.
Sonora was picked by Texas Football to finish as the runner-up in District 3-2A Division I behind Forsan, which edged the Broncos 24-22 last year to force a three-way tie for the district title between the two schools and Sonora.
The district could be even more competitive this year, Weston said.
Sonora will open its season with a test by traveling to play Miles, ranked No. 16 in Class 2A Division II, on Friday, Aug. 30.
“Our goal last year was we talked about being state champs, and the goal hasn’t changed much. It hasn’t changed at all,” Weston said. “We’ve got a really good core of kids, and this senior class is really good, so our goals have not changed, not one bit.”
Sonora Broncos
2024 schedule
Aug. 30 at Miles
Sept. 6 Johnson City
Sept. 13 Eldorado
Sept. 20 at Alpine
Sept. 27 at McCamey
Oct. 4 Open
Oct. 11 Forsan*
Oct. 18 at Ozona*
Oct. 25 Reagan County*
Nov. 1 Christoval*
Nov. 8 at Colorado City*
*District 3-2A Division I game
2023 results
Ballinger W 46-12
Coahoma W 44-30
Eldorado W 39-13
Alpine W 45-18
Harper W 53-22
Ozona W 49-38
Reagan County W 57-12
Anthony W 60-26
Christoval W 46-0
Forsan L 22-24
Anson W 29-27
Farwell W 42-14
Hawley L 8-31
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