Eldorado tries to reverse from a late-season slump in 2016
(One in a continuing series previewing metro-area prep football teams for the 2017 season.)
COACH: Charlie Dotson (11th year; 79-40)
LAST SEASON: 5-6; lost at Clovis in Class 6A first round
RETURNING STARTERS: 3 offense, 3 defense
KEY PLAYERS: Colin Barz, sr. (6-0, 150, WR); Javien Chavez, sr. (5-10, 170, WR); Gabe Smith, jr. (5-9, 150, QB); Keegan McKeown, sr. (6-1, 245, C); Nathan Tran, sr. (5-8, 180, MLB); Keith Alvarado, soph. (6-2, 230, DT); Myles Bravo, jr. (6-3, 294, DT); Grayson Hertrich, sr. (6-0., 187, DE); Isaiah Mambo, jr. (5-10, 168, CB); Remsa Troy, jr.
(5-7, 155, RB).
OUTLOOK: The loneliest football player in all of Class 6A this season might be whoever Dotson designates as his punter. “We’re selling to the kids that we have four downs to get 10 yards,” said Dotson, already known as one of 6A’s most adventurous head coaches. “We’re gonna have to take chances in order to win games.” Smith was the varsity backup QB and JV starter last year; Chavez is also one of the new primary offensive weapons, as is Troy in the backfield. As Eldorado will have more players going both ways than normal, Dotson said look for Eldorado to actually do some huddling this year to slow games down and preserve energy. This is vital for the Eagles, who lost five of their six games last season after leading in the fourth quarter. Eldorado — which has an inordinately demanding opening three-game stretch — will only be starting three or four seniors on both sides of the ball. That youth will face a daunting proposition in their district, which this season is likely the strongest, top-to-bottom league in all of New Mexico now that Santa Fe has gone independent. Bravo gives Eldorado a much-needed space filler on the interior of the D-line, where Alvarado started as a freshman last fall. The Eagles open the year slotted behind Manzano and La Cueva, and maybe Clovis, in the 2-6A pecking order. 2017 SCHEDULE (x-District 2-6A games) Aug. 25 at Las Cruces 7 p.m. Sept. 1 at Volcano Vista (C) 7 p.m. Sept. 8 Mayfield (W) 7 p.m. Sept. 15 Albuquerque High (W) 7 p.m. Sept. 22 Valley (W) 7 p.m. Sept. 29 at Cibola (C) 7 p.m. x-Oct. 7 Clovis (W) 2 p.m. x-Oct. 13 at Sandia (W) 7 p.m. x-Oct. 19 Manzano (W) 7 p.m. x-Oct. 27 at La Cueva (W) 7 p.m. Nov. 3 OPEN
(C: Community Stadium; W: Wilson Stadium)
CIRCLE THE DATE: The district opener against Clovis should hold great interest for the burnt orange, especially since the Wildcats beat Eldorado twice last season.