Sonora Broncos primed for another exciting run in 2022
If there’s anything the Sonora High School football team is lacking as it heads into the 2022 season, it's certainly not horsepower.
The Broncos charge into their second year under head coach Blake Weston, with a high-powered spread offense that averaged more than 30 points and 400 yards per game last season.
Weston guided the team to a 7-5 overall record, including a near perfect 4-1 mark in district play, and into the second round of the playoffs.
Sonora’s lone district blemish was a 7-6 loss to Grape Creek.
“It was a good little turnaround season last year,” said Weston. “Winning a district championship, getting back in the playoffs, and getting a playoff win under our belts. It was a good year.”
The Bronco offense tallied more than 4,000 yards ( 3,263 rushing yards, 1129 passing yards) and scored 42 touchdowns.
Quarterback Jaime Buitron and running back Hunter O’Banon combined to produce almost 70% (68.1) of that offensive production.
“Those are two explosive offensive weapons,” said Weston of the duo, who won silver medals at the state track meet as part of Sonora’s 4x400-meter relay.
Buitron ran for 955 yards (7.1 yards per carry) with eight touchdowns last season as a sophomore and completed 50% of his pass attempts for 933 yards and nine TDs.
“We moved Jaime to quarterback Week 4, so he had a little bit of a learning curve,” said Weston. “He took it really well. I think this year is going to be huge for him, just knowing the offense. We’re going to be able to put more on his plate.”
O’Banon averaged more than 100 yards per game as a junior, despite missing almost a month of the season. He averaged 8.5 yards per carry on his way to a 1,109-yard season with ten touchdowns.
“It’s always nice having Hunter O’Banon line up right next to you,” said Weston. “He’s a big home run hitter, but he also doesn’t mind getting the tough yards either. You can put him anywhere and kind of let him go out there and do his thing. He’s really explosive.”
The Broncos offensive line returns Jacob Martinez and Elijah Samaniego, but will have three open spots up for grabs.
“I think the O-line is going to come along just fine because those two will lead the way for us,” said Weston.
Instead of his young offensive line being a weakness, Weston is thinking it now could be one of the team’s strengths.
Weston expects a breakout year from Imanol Gaytan, who transformed himself from 370 pounds at the end of last season, to a sleek 295 this summer.
Top juniors Dailan Luna and Jaedon Chavarria, along with call-ups from a junior varsity that finished 9-1, could give the Broncos a 10-12 player rotation on the front line.
The defense will be led by O’Banon, the district’s preseason Defensive MVP, and linebacker Edgar DeLuna.
O’Banon is a shutdown corner that is a matchup problem for many. DeLuna, who recorded a team-leading 190 tackles as a sophomore, plays all over the field.
“(O’Banon) is pretty special on the back end,” Weston said. “He kind of lines us out and gets everyone in position in the secondary. Our quarterback on the defense is Edgar. I’ll argue with anybody, he’s one of the best linebackers in the state. The kid can just play.”
Sonora dropped in classification, into District 3-2A Division I, to contend with Christoval, Forsan, Ozona, Reagan County and Anthony.
Texas Football projects the Broncos to finish second.
“The goal, I think for everybody, is to win a district championship,” said Weston.
“It’s nice being in the second year and not having to teach. Last year we changed offenses, we changed defenses, and terminology.
“It’s going to be nice to walk into two-a-days and just kind of polish and maybe open up the playbook a little.
“We’ll get into a lot more formations and put a lot more stuff on this year, just because we’re comfortable and we bring a lot of kids back.”
Sonora Broncos
District: 3-2A Division I
Head Coach: Blake Weston (20-35; 7-5 at Sonora)
Last year’s record: 7-5; 4-1 in district
Last district title/playoff appearance: 2021/2021
Enrollment: 204
Stadium: Bronco Stadium
Returning lettermen: 16
Returning off./def. starters: 8/7
Base offense: Spread T
Base defense: 4-2-5
Team strengths: Returning starters, tradition
Team weaknesses: Youth on offensive line
Players to watch:
WR/DB Hunter O'Banon, QB/DB Jaime Buitron, RB/LB Edgar DeLuna, OL/DL Jacob Martinez, OL/DL Elijah Samaniego, RB/LB John Lozano, OL/DL Dailan Luna, OL/DL Jaedon Chavarria, TE/DL Owen Jones, ATH Tanner Flanagan, TE/DL Gage Owen, WR/DB Jonah Galvan
2022 schedule
Date Opponent
Aug. 26 Ballinger
Sept. 2 at Coahoma
Sept. 9 Eldorado
Sept. 16 at Alpine
Sept. 23 Harper
Oct. 7 at Ozona*
Oct. 14 at Reagan County*
Oct. 21 Anthony*
Oct. 28 at Christoval*
Nov. 4 Forsan*
*District game
2021 results
Opponent Score
Ozona W 32-20
Llano L 12-35
Christoval L 14-33
Alpine W 42-19
Eldorado L 26-48
Ingram Moore W 36-12
Brady W 28-22
Bangs W 50-25
Grape Creek L 6-7
Ballinger W 28-21
Odessa Compass Academy W 79-8
Canadian L 13-56