In fact any answer you get here may not be official. If you know which schools you are interested, I would suggest you to contact those schools' admission office directly. Every contact you make with the schools will help you to become a stronger candidate. One thing you are right about. The counselors at your school may not be that helpful in applying for the colleges in the east due to your current school's location.
It will be hard to apply for 11th grade. And one school accepted one last year doesn't necessarily mean they will this year. You have to get in touch with the schools.