SAN ANGELO, TX-- The Texas high school playoffs begin this week with 17 teams from the Concho Valley looking to make runs in the playoffs. Anything can happen from this point on.
Teams like no. 1-ranked Mason and tradition-rich Wall are expected to make prolonged runs in the playoffs as they seemingly do every year. San Angelo Central has a favorable route to a deep run, but only if they can handle Arlington Lamar (9-1) in the first round. Garden City (10-0) and Sterling City (9-1) could meet again in the region II final for Class 1A Division I after stellar regular seasons.
But who's flying under the radar into the postseason? Here are three teams we wouldn't be surprised to see make a deep playoff run:
Eden Bulldogs (6-3)
The Bulldogs won their first-ever district title in six-man with a thrilling 71-68 win over Robert Lee on Friday. It was also the first time in 24 years that Eden has won a district championship in football.
That win put Eden in the top half of the Class 1A Division I Region IV bracket, away from 9-1 Leakey. Along with the Bulldogs and their first round opponent Gorman (6-4), that part of the bracket is extremely open with Evant (6-3) and Nueces Canyon (7-2).
Eden has been impressive this year, but somewhat inconsistent.
To open the year, Eden was able to make a comeback against 1A Division II contender Blackwell before eventually losing 54-40. That set an early tone for the Bulldogs who went on to win their next two games.
However, they fell to Water Valley 93-47 the next week and Leakey 76-28 two weeks later.
Behind sophomore QB Hunner Rodgers, freshman receiver Eli Eureste and seniors Anthony and Austin Moya, Eden has won four straight since then.
Given the wide-open nature of Region IV and Eden's upward trend down the stretch, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Bulldogs' make it to the regional final against Region IV favorite Leakey.
Sonora Broncos (5-5)
After winning their first two games of the year, Sonora fell on hard times. Their community was rocked by record flooding. They lost five straight games before closing out District 13-3A with a three-game win streak.
The Broncos also had to change things up in the middle of the season due to injuries and illnesses. That meant Sonora had to transition from the air to the ground.
Sonora has found success running the ball with Wesley Dutton and Wilson Johnson. That duo has combined for 1,242 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns this season.
It's not an easy road for the Broncos, though.
They get Van Vleck (9-1) in the Bi-District round this week. If Sonora were to win, they'd likely get Poth (9-1) in the area round. A win there would likely set up a meeting with undefeated Odem in the third round. If Sonora gets past those challenges, they'd get a stout East Bernard team in the regional final.
With how tested this Sonora team is, nothing they see from this point on will be a surprise. So, a deep run is not out of the question.
Christoval Cougars (7-3)
Christoval has had no success in the playoffs since moving up to the 11-man ranks in 1994. They haven't won a playoff game since 1992 when they went 10-3 in six-man.
However, Christoval won their second 11-man district title with their win over Eldorado on Friday.
Sophomore quarterback Brayden Wilcox and third-year head coach Casey Otho have the Cougars believing this is the year they turn that corner.
Wilcox has done all that is asked of him in his second year as a starter. The 5-foot-10 signal caller is fourth in the state in rushing yards with 1,485 yards, according to MaxPreps. He also has 25 total touchdowns for the Cougars.
Christoval has some impressive wins this season, including a 27-26 win over Cross Plains, who they meet with this week in the playoffs.
If there ever was a year for the Cougars to win their first 11-man playoff game, it's this year. However, much like Sonora, it's not an easy road for Christoval.
A win over Cross Plains would likely mean a meeting with undefeated Wellington on Thanksgiving week.
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