By Chris Parker
Eddie Long returns to his alma mater to take over as head coach of the El Dorado Springs football program this season.
“I am born and raised here in El Dorado Springs,” Long said. “I am a product of our football program, and I am wanting to get our football program back to where we compete on a weekly basis. I have been fortunate enough to have been an assistant coach at some great schools and have played under some great coaches. I hope I can instill the qualities of those programs into our Bulldog Football Program.”
Long spent the past four seasons at Lamar as an assistant coach with stops at El Dorado Springs, Rich Hill and Benedictine College prior to that.
He will look to lead El Dorado Springs to its first winning record since 2018. The Bulldogs won three games last season, which was the same amount as they won in the previous two seasons combined.
“Coach Stark did a great job the last couple seasons turning our program around,” Long said. “The wins don’t show the hard work the players, the coaching staff, and himself put in. We have a great coaching staff that all have ties to ElDo. I believe the next step we have to take is focusing on the little things that separate teams.”
Offensively, eight starters return and will run the double wing offense.
Aidan Rotert and Marcus Mossman are in the mix at quarterback while Blake Esparza, Connor Bradley and Trey Beisley will handle carries out of the backfield. Rotert rushed for 577 yards and six touchdowns while throwing for 188 yards last season.
Up front, Noah Steward, Dylan Whitesell, Ryland Brower, Ben Schmidt and Austin Eason will make things go for the offense on the offensive line.
“The key to our success will be our offensive line. Everything starts up front,” Long said.
Maverick Mitchell (tight end) and Brett Alexander (wide receiver) round out the offense.
Eight starters return on defense as well.
Russell Ferguson, Koal Caldwell and Mossman will be at defensive end. Whitesell, Dakota Neal and Emory Crawford will be at defensive tackle. Whitesell leads all returning players with four tackles for a loss last season.
Mitchell, Esparza and Schmidt will be on the second level at linebacker. Esparza led that group with 89 total tackles last season. Schmidt had 68 total tackles.
Rotert, Bradley, Graydee Wolfe and Rylun Mays round out the defense in the secondary.
El Dorado Springs travels to Diamond on Aug. 23 for a jamboree with Miller, East Newton and the host. The Bulldogs open the regular season on Aug. 31 at home against Cabool.
“I would consider this season a success if we compete on a weekly basis and we can bring back the pride our program once had,” Long said.
