By Chris Parker
El Dorado Springs returns seven total starters coming off a 4-6 campaign in 2024. The Bulldogs graduated their three leading rushers and pass catchers along with top two quarterbacks.
“We don’t bring back a lot of varsity starters but the ones we have as starters this year had a lot of varsity experience last season,” El Dorado Springs head coach Eddie Long said.
Rylun Mays steps in at quarterback this season. He had 73 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries last season to go with 20 yards passing on two completions.
Ben Schmidt, Connor Bradley, Koal Caldwell, Lane Mead, and Emory Crawford will join him in the backfield running the ball. Bradley led that group in rushing last season with 242 yards on 29 carries.
Look for Kane Caldwell and Eyan Schmitt at tight end with Graydee Wolfe, Kaden Roberts, Alec Farran and Ayden Bruce as the top wide receivers. Wolfe and Bruce are the top returning pass catchers who had 61 and 56 yards, respectively.
The offensive line will be a force.
“Everything we do goes through our offensive line,” Long said. “We have four senior starters on the offensive line.”
Austin Eason, Michael Delk, Dakota Neal, Cooper Brown, and Dony Kirkham will be on that strong offensive line. Eason had 12 pancake blocks last season to lead the group. Schmidt added in nine.
Defensively, four starters return.
Koal Caldwell, Dayton Edwards, Kail Bledsoe, Kane Caldwell and Mead will be up front on the defensive line. Koal Caldwell had 40 total tackles and six tackles for a loss in 2024. Kane Caldwell had a nose for the ball with three fumble recoveries to go with 25 tackles last season.
Look for Schmidt, Kirkman and Crawford on the second level at linebacker. Schmidt was the team’s second-leading tackler last season with 52 total tackles and four tackles for a loss.
The back end of the defense will feature Bradley, Farran, Wolfe, Bruce and Mays. Bradley was third on the team in tackles last season with 50.
El Dorado Springs travels to Miller on Aug. 22 for a jamboree with the host Cardinals, East Newton and Diamond. The Bulldogs open the regular season on Aug. 29 at Cabool.
