EDEN, TX — The Eden Bulldogs have a new head coach and a largely new group of starters heading into the 2026 football season.
Aaron Maxwell is hoping his team’s youth and lack of depth won’t prevent it from posting a third straight winning season.
Eden is coming off back-to-back 6-4 seasons, though the Bulldogs weren’t able to qualify for the playoffs either year.
They have only two seniors on the team this fall and no juniors, so calling Eden a young team is an understatement.
“We’ve had some growing pains. And having a new head coach, there’s been a little bit of fits and starts, but we’re starting to put things together,” Maxwell said. “We’re starting to look a little bit better each and every day.”
Maxwell spent the last two years with a rebuilding Crowell program, where he compiled a 5-16 record with a playoff trip.
He said his two seniors, tailback Nate Barba and utility back Jayvian Cortez, are the team’s experienced, vocal leaders.
Sophomore quarterback Jaime Morales is a quiet leader who has “stepped up in a big way.”
Another sophomore, Shelby Condarco, is an end who is expected to be the team’s top receiving threat, along with one of their top blockers.
Freshman center Easton Miller and sophomore end Cruz Calderon comprise the rest of the offensive line.
“They’re all young, but they work hard, and they’ve been very coachable, and it’s probably one of the areas we’ve seen the most improvement the last few weeks,” Maxwell said of the offensive line. “It’s all sophomores and freshmen playing up there, but we have high hopes for them, and we’re real excited about what they have the potential to become.”
The same boys will be leaders on defense as well.
“We only have 11 boys on the team, so it’s pretty much the same kids on both sides of the ball,” Maxwell said.
Eden was realigned for the next two school years into District 8-1A Division I with three state-ranked teams — No. 13 Menard, No. 14 Water Valley and No. 21 Sterling City — along with Irion County and Veribest.
Texas Football predicts Eden to finish in last place in the district. Only the top two teams will make the playoffs.
“We feel like we’re probably in the middle part of the district,” Maxwell said. “Obviously, folks like Menard, Water Valley and Sterling City, all of whom are ranked highly in the state, makes it tough for you, especially being as young as we are.
“But in the world of six-man football, you just don’t know. You’re only one or two injuries or failures or something like that from being a top-ranked team to not being ranked at all. We’re just trying to do the best we can to get better with what we can control, and we’re looking forward to seeing that translate out on the field.”
Eden will begin its season on the road Friday, Aug. 28, at Concho County rival Paint Rock. The Bulldogs’ home opener will be Sept. 11 against Rochelle.
Eden Bulldogs
2026 schedule
Aug. 28 at Paint Rock
Sept. 4 at Bronte
Sept. 11 Rochelle
Sept. 18 Panther Creek
Sept. 25 at Gustine
Oct. 2 OPEN
Oct. 9 at Veribest*
Oct. 16 Menard*
Oct. 23 at Water Valley*
Oct. 30 at Sterling City*
Nov. 5 Irion County*
*District 8-1A Division I game
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