Miles Bulldogs looking to build off 7-on-7 state title
The Miles Bulldogs were only able to win three football games last fall, but they won a state championship during the summer.
Led by All-West Texas quarterback Hayven Book, Miles traveled to College Station in June and won the Texas State 7-on-7 Tournament title in Division III (for schools Class 3A and below).
Miles head coach Jayson Wilhelm believes that experience will propel his team into this season.
"I think that gives us an immense amount of confidence,” Wilhelm said. “Hayven really learned to spread the ball around, and we saw guys step up. He found a lot of guys he can have confidence in and not just zero in on one guy.”
Book threw for 1,745 yards and 18 touchdowns last year as a sophomore, while rushing for 550 yards and nine TDs.
He is one of seven returning starters on offense, while Miles has eight starters back on defense.
The Bulldogs will look to build on their spread offense that the coaching staff introduced last season. Senior receiver Carson Ellison and his younger brother, Cooper, a sophomore, will be explosive threats, according to Wilhelm. The Ellison brothers are also defensive backs.
The Bulldogs are also excited about senior Tanner Wood and sophomore Devin Medina, who are running backs on offense and linebackers on defense.
Other players to watch include senior defensive linemen Holton Wilson and Auden Torres.
"(Wilson) is going to give some teams fits,” Wilhelm said. “He’s got a good combination of speed and quickness, and his motor is unlike anyone else we’ve got. Some of that stuff you really can’t coach. He just loves to play. He’s passionate.”
Wilhelm says team unity is a strength and the players are buying in. Players were in the weight room more often during the spring, and numerous players ran track.
“You have to have that foundation of being explosive, being quick, being strong, and these guys love it,” Wilhelm said.
Miles is leaving a district that included state powers Christoval and Eldorado after being realigned into District 6-2A Division II with Albany, Hamlin, Abilene TLCA, Roscoe and Cross Plains.
“A couple of those teams we either scrimmaged (Hamlin) or played in nondistrict last year (Roscoe and Cross Plains), so it’s not like we’re just completely unfamiliar with them,” Wilhelm said.
Albany is the preseason favorite after going 13-1 last year and reaching the state quarterfinals. Roscoe went 9-2. No other team had a winning record.
A favorable early schedule for Miles includes three games to begin the season against schools that are making the transition from six-man to 11-man, so that could translate into a fast start for the Bulldogs.
“I think we have a chance to get some wins under our belt early. I think that’s just going to snowball," Wilhelm said. "It’s going to build for these guys because they are confident. Let’s go out and be confident and expect to win.”
Miles Bulldogs
District: 6-2A Division II
Head Coach: Jayson Wilhelm (23-43; 6-16 at Miles)
Last year’s record: 3-8; 2-3 in district
Last district title/playoff appearance: 2018/2021
Enrollment: 140
Stadium: Gary Krejci Memorial Stadium
Returning lettermen: 20
Returning off./def. starters: 7/8
Base offense: Spread
Base defense: 4-3
Team strengths: Unity, experience, desire to win
Team weaknesses: Size
Players to watch:
QB/DB Hayven Book (6-1, 160), WR/DB Carson Ellison (5-7, 150), WR/DB Cooper Ellison (5-10, 160), RB/LB Devin Medina (5-10, 170), RB/LB Tanner Wood (5-11, 170), OL/DL Holton Wilson (5-9, 210), OL/DL Auden Torres (5-10, 215)
2022 schedule
Date Opponent
Aug. 27 at Midland TLCA
Sept. 2 Sterling City
Sept. 9 Water Valley
Sept. 16 at Winters
Sept. 23 Ozona
Oct. 7 Albany*
Oct. 14 at Hamlin*
Oct. 21 Abilene TLCA*
Oct. 28 Roscoe*
Nov. 4 at Cross Plains*
*District game
2021 results
Opponent Score
Coleman L 0-24
Coahoma L 0-54
Roscoe L 24-43
Munday W 55-12
Cross Plains L 32-37
Eldorado* L 14-64
Junction* W 49-7
Menard* W 44-32
Rocksprings* L 53-60
Christoval* L 0-69
Granger L 10-41
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Miles Bulldogs looking to build off 7-on-7 state title
