ELDORADO AT A GLANCE

Coach: Charlie Dotson (10th year; 74-34) Last season: 10-3; lost 48-35 to Cleveland in 6A championship game Returning starters: 5 offense, 3 defense

Key players: Matt Denis, sr. (6-0, 150, QB); Bryce Wade, sr. (6-6, 230, OL/DT); Adam Clark, sr. (6-3, 263, OL/DT); Dominic Sandoval, sr. (5-9, 150, slot/DB); Trenton Gaither, sr. (6-0, 178, WR/DE); Elijah Gudelj-Cox, jr. (5-8, 167, RB/S); Darren Serna, sr. (5-8, 151, LB/RB); Elias Baker, sr. (5-9, 255, RB); Dominic Anderson, sr. (6-0, 168, WR/S); Isaac Mambo, sr. (5-10, 191, G/DE).

Outlook: Several important offensive weapons graduated, but the Eagles look well stocked with the likes of Sandoval, Baker, Gaither and Anderson, and three returning starters up front, led by Wade and Clark. Denis is the new starter at QB, and his performance will be scrutinized, if only because of the wild success of several of his most recent predecessors at that position. Finding a playmaking middle linebacker is one of Dotson’s true worries, and indeed Eldorado will need to find multiple playmakers on the defense if it is to get through its super-demanding district.

2016 schedule (x-denotes District 2-6A game)

Aug. 26, Las Cruces (W), 7 p.m. Sept. 2, Volcano Vista (W), 7 p.m. Sept. 10, at Mayfield, 1 p.m. Sept. 16, at Albuquerque High (M), 7 p.m. Sept. 23, at Valley (M), 7 p.m. Sept. 30, OPEN x-Oct. 7, at Clovis, 7 p.m. x-Oct. 14, Sandia (W), 7 p.m. x-Oct. 21, at Manzano (W), 7 p.m. x-Oct. 28, La Cueva (W), 7 p.m. x-Nov. 5, Santa Fe (W), 1 p.m.

Circle the date: The trip to Clovis is a tough assignment, as historically Eldorado has never had much success at Leon Williams Stadium. Moreover, the Wildcats’ strength — running the ball — is a bad match-up for the Eagles.