Football Friday Night Week 5: Schedule, Scores and 5 Storylines

Time for week 5 action of high school football in El Paso!

Follow 600 ESPN El Paso all evening for live scoring updates of all the scheduled games. Paul MacKinnon is back with Beau Bagley as our hosts for the season and they will get things started upon the conclusion of Chihuahuas baseball.

Eastwood (2-1, 1-0) at El Dorado (0-4, 0-2) 4 pm
Eastlake (4-0, 2-0) at Americas (2-2, 1-1) GOTW (Brandon Cohn) 7:30
Pebble Hills (3-1, 1-1) at Coronado (1-3, 0-2) Adrian Broaddus
Chapin (2-1) at Del Valle (3-1) Steve Escajeda
Canutillo (2-2) at Parkland (3-1) David Gest
San Elizario (1-2) at Cathedral (2-2) Jeremy Carranco
Jefferson (0-4) at Bel Air (4-0) JD Sursley
Austin (1-3) at El Paso (2-2) Zay Galindo
Burges (0-4) at Hanks (3-1) Jerry Alvarez
Clint (1-3) at Irvin (1-3) Bill Coon
Santa Teresa (0-4) at Mt View (3-1) Russ Bannister
Riverside (3-1) at Horizon (1-3)
Bowie (3-1) at Anthony (2-1)
Midland (4-0) at Andress (0-4)
Ysleta (1-3) at Ft Stockton (4-0)

Game of the week: Eastlake vs. Americas

In the second game at the SISD SAC on Friday, Eastlake brings their undefeated record in a relevant 1-6A matchup against Americas that could have playoff implications down the road.

The Falcons (4-0) showed up in their 34-21 win against Coronado last week. Quarterback Luke Lomeli (752 passing yards and eight touchdowns) doesn't get enough credit as one of the better leaders in town. Receivers like Junior Trotman and Ivan Medrano have benefited from Lomeli's quarterback development. Defensively, they're giving up 12 points per game on average to their opponents.

But Americas (2-2) is a challenging opponent for the Falcons. The Trailblazers' 16-10 upset win at Franklin last week proved they want to be playoff-bound in year one of head coach Noe Robles. To earn a playoff bid in a stacked 1-6A will mean Americas needs to continue to stack wins under their belt. They've found something in the rushing game with sophomore Cam'Ron Johnson (487 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns). Senior defensive back Anthony Miranda impressively enters Friday's game with four interceptions.

Prediction: Americas 31 - Eastlake 30

Stacked class of 2026 packs star-power

I will give myself a pat on the back for calling last week's Jake Fette emergence for Del Valle. So let's talk class of 2026 prospects!

Fette, only a sophomore for the 3-1 Conquistadores, is an absolute baller at quarterback. He's listed at 6-foot-3 and looks every part of it. He's thrown for 658 yards in three games with nine touchdowns and zero interceptions. Fette (concussion) didn't play in Del Valle's only loss of the season so far to Pebble Hills. Fette deserves some Divison I attention soon.

On any given night, Chapin sophomore ATH Daveon Singelton can be the best player on the field. He appeared on my radar first last year as a freshman when he started six games at quarterback to close out the season. Theoretically, he can play all over the field. He's dealt with injuries early into this season but has 239 all-purpose yards and a touchdown through two games played. He already has an offer from SMU.

Then comes a new sophomore on the block in Americas running back Cam'Ron Johnson. Could he be the next running back to star out of the regarded Trailblazer program? Think of Jack and Joshua Fields, Aaron Dumas or some of the other great running backs to play at Americas. Johnson has the upside to be as productive as his predecessors were during their time in high school.

Even though we haven't seen El Dorado star running back Ray Estrada this season, his freshman season of rushing for 1,326 yards and 13 touchdowns was a prime indicator that he will be a top back in the city for years to come. He's dealt with an early-season injury that has kept him out through the first four weeks. He has looks from schools like SMU, Baylor, UTSA, Texas Tech and UTEP.

Dark horse game of the night: Chapin at Del Valle

Fette versus Singelton. Chapin coach Ryan Warner versus Del Valle coach Rudy Contreras. Grab your popcorn, this one will be exciting.

Chapin (2-1) enters this week's matchup after a back-and-forth shootout with Parkland last week, 43-36. The score appears a bit closer than the contest actually was, as the Matadors played catch-up during the entirety of the game. The Huskies found something in quarterback Evan Rivera, who has allowed other skill position players like Singleton, running back Carey Wade, wide receiver Savion Jordan and Brandon Ortega to flourish.

Del Valle (3-1) dominated in their win at Cantuillo last week with a swift 31-7 victory. Fette was the star of the game, but other players like receiver Jonathan Estrada and defensive back Matt Lopez continue to emerge on their team.

Prediction: Del Valle 24 - Chapin 13

Don't sleep on Canutillo vs. Parkland

In what is now a non-district matchup, Parkland will host Canutillo ahead of both program's respective district slate.

Parkland (3-1) lost their first game last week to Chapin, 43-36. The Matadors pride themselves on their run game led by Anthony Carrillo, who has 575 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Defensively, they've forced four interceptions as a team and have a total of 11 sacks.

Canutillo (2-2) is still the same Eagles team we've known them to be over the years. Offensively, they need a little more from their entire unit. Quarterback Jeremiah Knox helps them get a big play each game, but they need players to emerge around him. Defensively, they are as sharp as they've ever been led by defensive back Nathan Orduno, safety David Alvarado and linebacker TJ Locklin.

Prediction: Canutillo 27 - Parkland 21

Look to next week: No Football Friday Night

A disappointing bit of programming news, but we are off next Friday, Sept. 29, for Football Friday Night due to the UTEP-LA Tech matchup next week. The UTEP game will take over our airwaves on 600 ESPN El Paso.

However, Football Friday Night returns officially on Friday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m. to 600 ESPN El Paso for the full swing of district football play! Our promise to our listeners: we are back for good in two weeks.