Return of Small-Town Rivalries, Key Players Keep Eldorado Excited for New Season

ELDORADO, TX-- The Eldorado Ealges have had just two winning seasons since 2008. They went 6-4 in 2010 and 7-4 with a district championship in 2012.

Last year, the Eagles went 2-8, but challenged for a playoff spot late in the season.

“There’s no doubt when you go 2-8 the year before that everyone wants you on their schedule,” said second year head coach Michael Johnson. “The big thing we want our kids to understand is that we’re not going to back down from anybody. We want to play great competition week in and week out. If you’re ever going to be great, you have to play in those kind of games and play teams that are bigger than you.”

This year, there’s a lot of excitement around the Eagles and practice has gone well according Johnson.

[[{"fid":"44959","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Second year head coach Michael Johnson speaks to his team during a drill. Aug. 16, 2018 (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Second year head coach Michael Johnson speaks to his team during a drill. Aug. 16, 2018 (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"attributes":{"alt":"Second year head coach Michael Johnson speaks to his team during a drill. Aug. 16, 2018 (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]Above: Second year head coach Michael Johnson speaks to his Eldorado Eagles during a drill. Aug. 16, 2018 (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)

“It’s been awesome,” the Angelo State grad said. “We have as good of kids as you could ask for. They have been very attentive to detail. It’s year two in the system, so they understand what we’re doing more. I feel the boys are real hungry and ready to go.”

Eldorado returns seven offensive and eight defensive starters from their team a year ago.

The Eagles missed a crucial piece to the offense last year in quarterback Kevan Covarrubiaz, who was out with an injury.

For Johnson, getting him back could be a big proponent to the success of the Eagle’s offense.

“As far as getting the offense going, it always helps getting one of your better athletes back,” Johnson said. “Kevan is a big time leader to these kids. At the same time, these kids who were here last year had to learn how to play without him. They stepped up and did a great job.”

[[{"fid":"44960","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Eldorado's Kevan Covarrubiaz throws a pass in practice. Aug. 16, 2018 (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"2":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Eldorado's Kevan Covarrubiaz throws a pass in practice. Aug. 16, 2018 (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"attributes":{"alt":"Eldorado's Kevan Covarrubiaz throws a pass in practice. Aug. 16, 2018 (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"2"}}]]Above: Eldorado's Kevan Covarrubiaz throws a pass in practice. Aug. 16, 2018 (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)

Cesar Garcia started in place of Covarrubiaz while he was out. Johnson commended Garcia for his work in the backfield.

“Cesar showed that he can do it any time he has to,” Johnson added.

A new district, District 8-2A Division II, also gives life to the Eagles playoff dreams.

“There’s no doubt that we have a good district,” Johnson said. “Menard is favored to win and rightfully so...But at the same time, our focus is getting better each and every game in the preseason so we’re ready for district. I think our kids are up for that challenge.”

While Menard and Rocksprings are favored in the district, the other two playoff spots are up for grabs. Johnson says that has been a great motivator for his team.

“We’ve talked to them and playoffs are a big deal,” Johnson said. “That’s something we want...We’ve got to take that first step and get into the playoffs. We have the kids to do it. So, it’s going to come down to, when the lights come on, us being ready to go.”

The new district also offers the return of small-town rivalries and Johnson is excited about that.

“We get to bring those true, small-town rivalries back. You know, some towns that really aren’t that far from each other able to go battle it out on Friday nights,” Johnson said. “That’s really what Texas high school football is all about. We are extremely excited about that.”

Eldorado opens the season at home against TLCA on Aug. 31.