Iraan and Eldorado Prepare for Battle in District Opener

ELDORADO, TX — The Eldorado Eagles are preparing for war against the Iraan Braves in a District 4-2A Division II matchup.

To the Europeans and Americans in history, the term “brave” was used to describe male Native American warriors. The idea of a warrior to the Native Americans was more than just a skilled fighter. They were leaders, both physically and spiritually. They took part in dangerous hunts, defended their people, and participated in ceremonies like rites of passage.

The Eagle was a symbol of bravery and honor. Warriors that performed great feats in battle were often awarded eagle feathers. For the Lakota tribe, when a young man went on his first raid or war party, his goal was to earn an eagle feather.

To “Braves," the eagle represented everything a true warrior should be. Honorable, brave, spiritually strong, and deeply connected to both the natural and spiritual world.

If that means anything to the young men taking the field for Eldorado and Iraan, it means the Concho Valley better be prepared for one hell of a game.

The Iraan Braves have been in a steady rebuild. They went 0-9 in 2020, 2-8 in 2021, 4-6 in 2022 and 2023, 10-2 in 2024, and are currently 4-1 in 2025. The Braves are on a three-game winning streak, beating Crane, Winters, and Reagan County by a combined score of 143-28. That was after they stomped Smyer in the opening game, 52-6, and only lost to Odessa Compass Academy, a 3A program that is 5-1, by three points.

All season long, the Braves have given up 53 points, which is an average of 10.6 points a game, and they’ve scored 213 for a 42.6-point average.

Iraan is led by senior quarterback Prather Schneemann, who has gone 55-of-87 passing (63%) for 931 yards, seven touchdowns, and six interceptions.

More than half of their offensive yardage has been on the ground. Schneemann has rushed 42 times for 243 yards and three TDs. They also have three main ball carriers in junior Daniel Reyes, senior Alex Reyes, and freshman Brayden Martinez. Daniel and Alex have the same number of carries at 34 but Daniel has 384 yards and four scores, while Alex has 217 yards and seven scores. Martinez is explosive with 10 carries for 164 yards and two touchdowns.

Explosive might be an understatement when speaking about the Braves receiving corp. Through the air, Cristian Buitron has caught 21 passes for 459 yards, a 21.9 yard per reception average, and 5 TDs. The Braves have other dangerous receivers in Kaden Smith (5 receptions for 150 yards and 1 TD), Andrew Gallegos (9 receptions for 150 yards and 1 TD), and Kayden Dehoyos (3 catches for 49 yards and 1 TD).

It looks like Iraan passes when they need to and rely on a physical run game to move the ball. The Eagles will need to watch freshman offensive tackle Mario Saucedo, who has eight pancake blocks and senior Zack Brannon who has stacked five. On paper, the Braves have a few youngins that make some serious plays.

But … the Eagles do as well.

The Mean Green Defense is led by sophomore Kane Brock, who has 34 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, and two brothers on the team. Fellow sophomore Andrez Gomez helps Brock clean up skill players and has 24 tackles and one tackle for loss. Junior James Proffitt has been all over the place, racking up 22 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, and one interception

While the Eagles only have three sacks total on the season, if they can force Schneemann to throw the ball, Eldorado can snag a pick. Freshman Brindon Gamez has two interceptions and Amare Luna, Jonnierae Adame, Charlie MacGriffin and Proffitt each have one so far.

Once the Eagles get possession, they’ll need to put up points. Senior quarterback JonnieRae Adame has gone 79-of-159 for 993 yards, and eight TDs with 8 INTs. Kane Brock and Jayden Wilkes share the backfield and have 66 carries, 358 yards, and 2 scores combined.

Adame has some nice weapons out wide just like Schneemann. Junior Garrett Walling leads the way with 28 catches for 324 yards and two TDs, and who else but Kane Brock is second with 16 receptions for 262 yards and three scores. Luna is a solid third receiver with eight catches for 107 yards.

The Eagles are the other side of the coin that seemingly uses the pass to help set up the run.

If that’s the case, then Adame will have to get rid of the ball in a hurry. The Braves have 16 sacks as a team and are led by the Three Amigos in Daniel Reyes, Leland Luna, and Tres Sanchez who have three sacks apiece. Having a madman like Kane in the Eagle backfield might be a good thing because Iraan has one of their own in Brayden Martinez (the freshman) at linebacker. He has 49 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one interception, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

In all, the Braves defense has six interceptions, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and look like the real deal. Remember Mario Saucedo? He also has 30 tackles, seven tackles for loss, six quarterback pressures, and one pass defended. Sanchez and Luna have 44 and 19 tackles, respectively, and help complete a very good defense.

If looking at this article has taught anyone anything, it’s that war is coming to the Concho Valley.

The Eldorado Eagles go to battle against the Iraan Braves in Eldorado at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10.