It's the most exciting part of the season for high school football, as district play finally kicks off at the midway point of the season.

Football Friday Night will be providing a comprehensive look at each game across the city, featuring our high school football roundup show starting at 7 p.m. on 600 ESPN El Paso.

Here's a look at this week:

  • Parkland (5-0) at Hanks (3-1) Sarah Farms Game of the Week Steve Escajeda
  • Ysleta (3-2) at Canutillo (4-1) Jaime Chavez
  • Riverside (3-2) at Horizon (2-3) Joe Rodriguez
  • Jefferson (2-3, 1-1) at Burges (4-1, 1-0) Jack Lutz
  • Bowie (3-1, 1-0) at Irvin (1-4, 1-1) Jeremy Carranco 
  • El Paso (0-6, 0-2) at Austin (4-2, 1-1) Brandon Cohn
  • Montwood (3-2) at Coronado (1-4) Adrian Broaddus
  • Eastwood (1-4) at Eastlake (1-4) Beau Bagley
  • Pebble Hills (3-2)@Socorro (0-5) 4 pm

 

Matchup to watch: Parkland vs. Hanks 

 

In our Sarah Farms Game of the Week, Parkland (5-0) will take on a Hanks (5-1) team that is hungry for an upset in the district opener. The Matadors feature one of El Paso's best quarterbacks in senior Gabe Herrera (1,399 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions) and his stellar receiver duo in Donta Hayes (590 receiving yards, six touchdowns) and Jesus Sandoval (512 receiving yards, three touchdowns).

Tonight should be the night that Hanks wideout Mykal Blanco passes Eastwood's Richie Rodriguez as the all-time city reception leader. He has 746 receiving yards already on the season and even a subpar night should allow him to pass the mark.

Hot storyline to watch: Americas prevails as 'city's best'

 

And there we have it! Americas pulled through over Franklin (17-13) in what could be the city's most highly anticipated matchup of the season. Although it wasn't a high-scoring contest, both teams slugged it out defensively and the game lived up to the hype.

Americas stormed out of the gate, leading 10-0 at the half and disrupted the Cougars offense throughout the game. Franklin attempted a comeback early in the second half but wasn't able to capitalize on Americas' mistakes. The Cougars forced a fumble on defense as Americas tried to wind down the clock, but couldn't score in the final minute of the game.

Americas running back Aaron Dumas carried the ball 31 times for 190 yards and two scores. Dumas would have passed the 200-yard mark and scored three touchdowns but a penalty against the Trailblazers negated the third rushing score. Franklin quarterback Danny Walther finished 11-of-25 for 196 passing yards and a pair of scores while being sacked seven times.

Americas will take on Socorro next Thursday, while the Cougars get ready to face Coronado in the Westside Bowl at the Sun Bowl on Oct. 17.

Last night: Del Valle 34 - El Dorado 21; Chapin 61 - Bel Air 21

 

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