ELDORADO, TX-- The Eldorado Eagles are setting themselves up perfectly for a shot at a district title and a deep playoff run this year. With players like freshman Korbin Covarrubiaz, junior Eric Reyes and junior Jakaan Jurecek, they can match up against most teams in Class 2A Division II Region II.
Making the Eagles’ turnaround more impressive was their dismal year last year
They ended up with a 2-8 record under new head coach Michael Johnson.
Just as most teams do with a new head coach and new scheme, they struggled and missed the playoffs.
“After last season was over we learned how to get “Competitive Excellence” which is having your mind ready for when your number is called to make a play,” Coach Johnson said on last year’s performance. “It’s always a process when learning a new scheme, but now I feel like its not new anymore. There isn’t so much thinking, but just us playing ball”
This year, though, has been a complete 180-degree turn for Eldorado in Johnson's second year.
After a season where they only averaged 218 yards of total offense, they now average 332.9 yards.
Last year, they scored a total of 117 points, which were mainly off of runs by former Eagle Anthony Olivares.
This year, they have already scored 216 points from all different contributors.
“Our team isn’t just a couple of guys out there, just a bunch of winners.” Coach Johnson said about his brother’s keeper philosophy.
Covarrubiaz’s brother Kevan was thought to be one of many crucial pieces. He put up 797 yards of total offense and seven total touchdowns through three games. However, he’s been sidelined due to injury since week 3.
That opened the door for Korbin to take over, which he has by throwing for 673 yards, rushing for an additional 10 and scoring nine total touchdowns.
Reyes has also had a stellar season so far with ten touchdowns on the ground. Covarrubiaz is also averaging 131.7 rushing yards a game at the quarterback position which could give them a huge boost in the playoffs.
Defense has also been a huge staple for this team.
They have only given up an average of 13 points this season. Last season, they gave up 30.2 points a game.
This turnaround did not come easy. It has taken a lot of tough physical play by the leaders of the defense. Senior Jack Griffin, junior Edgar Muniz, and junior Cesar Garcia have been the anchor for the Eagles defense this year.
Griffin has been playing spectacularly. He has 92 total tackles, an average of 13.1 tackles a game and has caused 4 fumbles.
Muniz is right behind Griffin having 79 total tackles, 2 caused fumbles, a blocked field goal, and 11.3 tackles a game.
Garcia has been a ball hawk on defense as well with 2 interceptions already on the season with defiantly more on the way.
“Another big guy for our defense is Emiliano “Big E” Hernandez. He doesn’t get all the tackles as the other guys, but with him out there is huge for us.” said Coach Johnson about his menacing 6-foot-4, 295-pound nose tackle.
The Eagles have had some tough tests throughout the year with losses against Winters, who is a division higher, Iraan and McCamey, who could only meet Eldorado in the semifinals.
“I feel like we’ve had a lot things happen to boost our experience. Good, bad weather, and long drives have made it were we are ready for anything.” Coach Johnson said on his team’s gauntlet of a schedule. “The games we lost early I think really have been building us up and teaching us. We were down by 18 early in our first game. We came back and won.”
It won’t be an easy road for the Eagles, especially with the competitiveness of District 8 -- Eldorado can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Menard loss this week. But they are going to match up well with most teams in the Class 2A Division II playoffs.
Region I is loaded with teams like Albany, Hamlin, Cross Plains, Santo and Windthorst.
However, with the offensive explosiveness and the willingness and hard-headedness of the defense, this Eldorado team can put this town of around 2,000 on the map.
Eldorado travels to Rocksprings this Friday looking to stay hot in district play.
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