ELDORADO, TX — The Eldorado Eagles will have a new head football coach on the sidelines this year, but he’s really not so new.
William Robledo was promoted to head coach in June after 13 years as an Eldorado assistant, including seven years as the defensive coordinator.
Robledo replaces Chad Hutle, who went 9-12 in Eldorado, including a 5-5 record last year.
Robledo said it’s been a bit different leading Eldorado as a head coach during the first week of workouts.
“It’s always exciting the first week of two-a-days, simply because you’ve waited all summer to get going,” Robledo said. “Now that I’ve been promoted to head coach, it’s a little different. I’m doing things the way I always envisioned for the program, and it’s going great so far.”
Robledo is making a significant change already by switching the team’s offensive formation from the run-based veer to the pass-based spread.
He’s handing the keys of the offense over to a sophomore, Jonnie Rae Adame, a wide receiver last year.
“He’s just a leader,” Robledo said. “He’s also very decisive in his decision-making skills. He can (run and throw).”
Senior Eleazar Hernandez returns at running back, and three more seniors — first-team all-district pick Jaysen Santellano, Cade Parker and Zaid Hernandez — are back on the offensive line.
“That could be one of our biggest strengths. It should be,” Robledo said of the offensive line.
The competition at wide receiver is still wide open, Robledo said.
Eldorado has six returning starters from a defense that held five opponents to 14 points or less last year.
Santellano will lead the Eagles up front at defensive tackle, along with a handful of linebackers in Hernandez, Zane White, Garrett Walling and Jonah Penkszyk.
“Overall, the defensive side of the ball should be our strength, simply because the defense hasn’t changed in over eight years,” Robledo said. “They don’t have to learn anything new.”
Eldorado visits longtime rival Christoval to open its season Friday, Aug. 30, followed by games against Ozona, Sonora, Miles and Harper.
“I think our nondistrict schedule is going to be a good test for us,” Robledo said. “We’ve got some tough opponents in order to get us prepared for a tough district schedule.”
Eldorado is picked to finish in second place in District 4-2A Division II by Texas Football Magazine. The district included No. 12-ranked Wink, along with McCamey, Iraan, Sterling City and Van Horn.
“Our goals are simple. We’re trying to get better every day and every week,” Robledo said. “And of course, just like anyone else, our goal is to win district and make the playoffs.”
Eldorado has reached the playoffs six straight years. The Eagles’ last postseason win came in 2021, when they reached the third round of the playoffs. Their last district title was in 2019.
Eldorado Eagles
2024 schedule
Aug. 30 at Christoval
Sept. 6 Ozona
Sept. 13 at Sonora
Sept. 20 Miles
Sept. 27 Harper
Oct. 4 Open
Oct. 11 at Iraan*
Oct. 18 Sterling City*
Oct. 25 at Van Horn*
Nov. 1 at Wink*
Nov. 8 McCamey*
*District 4-2A Division II game
2023 results
Christoval W 26-12
Winters W 40-12
Sonora L 13-39
San Saba W 20-14
Wink L 14-49
Water Valley W 14-12
McCamey L 34-41
Sterling City W 24-0
Iraan L 20-27
Albany L 0-60
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