UIL Denies El Dorado High Reinstatement Into Football Playoffs

The El Dorado High School football team is officially out of the playoffs.

According to a statement issued by the Socorro Independent School District, the University Interscholastic League State Executive Committee denied El Dorado a spot in the playoffs after the school self-reported that an ineligible player competed in two district games. The district said the player was ineligible because of a residency issue.

The Aztecs had to forfeit those two games — wins against Eastwood and Socorro — which knocked them out of playoff contention.

The decision to remove El Dorado from playoff contention was announced Monday after an emergency meeting by an SISD executive committee. That’s when El Dorado filed an appeal with the UIL.

“The University Interscholastic League State Executive Committee met (Wednesday) and heard El Dorado High School’s appeal to maintain its position in the high school football state playoffs. As per the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules the appeal was denied,” said Daniel Escobar, the spokesman for SISD

As a result of the decision, Coronado High School now advances as the fourth seed in District 1-5A, and will play San Angelo Central in the bi-district round of the playoffs. That game will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Grande Communications Stadium in Midland.

“Socorro ISD and El Dorado High School wish the Coronado T-Birds a successful run in the playoffs.” Escobar said.

The decision didn’t sit well with some El Dorado students, who said it’s not fair.

“They try so hard every year. I was once with them. I’ve seen all those work outs, the tryouts, everything, the plays. And to be disqualified out of the playoffs, that’s a big shame,” said Omar Lerma, a former Aztec football player.