Football Friday Night Week 6: Schedule, Scores and Storylines

Although there won't be any Football Friday Night tonight, this week is huge for high school football in El Paso.

Football Friday Night will be back in full swing next week with Beau Bagley and Paul Mackinnon calling the action in our studios. Tonight's show is pre-empted due to the UTEP football game against LA Tech. Check out some of the biggest storylines going into week six of the season below.

Game of the week: Americas vs. Pebble Hills 

Welcome, officially, to the 1-6A playoff race, Americas!

The Trailblazers (3-2) have been on a tear as of the past two weeks, defeating Franklin and Eastlake in consecutive weeks. Can they make it three in a row against one of the top teams in town Pebble Hills? Last week, star sophomore running back Cam'Ron Johnson didn't play in their win against Eastlake. If he's out, they'll rely on quarterback Mark Moore III and running back Brian Gonzalez-Promesse to lead their offense.

Pebble Hills (4-1) had a commanding 38-25 road win against Coronado last week. Quarterback Gael Ochoa rushed for three touchdowns in the win, as he now has 12 total touchdowns on the season. Running back Zereian Quarles has emerged this year for the Spartans offense.

This is going to be a great one, but I think Pebble Hills will lock down defensively in order to get the win. If they get this, the Spartans will be firmly near the top of the district standings.

Prediction: Pebble Hills 27 - Americas 7 

District opener showdown: Hanks vs. Bel Air 

To start things off in District 1-5A Division I play, Bel Air (5-0) will host Hanks (4-1) in a highly anticipated matchup.

The Highlanders are coming off a dominant 63-6 win against Jefferson last week and have an explosive offense. Quarterback Noah Moreno has already eclipsed 1,000 passing yards on the season (1,175 yards & 15 touchdowns).

Following their 60-28 win against Burges last week, the Knights enter district play with a promising record and momentum. Quarterback Marcus Porras (1,320 passing yards) is also at the 1,000-yard milestone on the season, with key weapons like running back Michael Oliver and wideout Jude Blanco.

Get ready for a shootout in east El Paso tonight!

Prediction: Bel Air 55 - Hanks 49 

Out of town spotlight: Riverside at Bushland 

The Rangers have started the season in impressive fashion with a group of young talent on their roster. They are 4-1 on the season, fresh off a 52-6 drubbing against Horizon last week.

Riverside quarterback Derek Vasquez (709 passing, 597 rushing yards) is a dual-threat signal caller and playmaker for the squad. He's benefited from weapons like running back Noah Ramirez and Carlos Rojas on the season. The big question is, can the Rangers defense hold a 4-1 Bushland squad on the road? Tonight can give us an early test to find out what kind of contender Riverside could be in the 4A playoffs.

Prediction: Bushland 27 - Riverside 24