Football Friday Night Week Three Features Huge 1-6A District Openers
Football Friday Night is back, as district play kicks off for one district as the rest of 5A and 4A compete in non-district action across El Paso.
It's only week three and we have district play? That's the reality of a nine-team district 1-6A, which kicks off this week. And, there are some huge matchups tonight.
Football Friday Night is back for another season with Beau Bagley and Paul Mackinnon calling the action every Friday night, with all of our reporters at each game in the city. This Friday, the pregame show will kick off at 4:30 during SportsTalk, and the guys will be back for the postgame recap after the Chihuahuas broadcast. See scores in real time by seeing our scoreboard powered by Scorestream, or by visiting our 600 ESPN El Paso Twitter page.
Week 3 Reporter Schedule
- Eastwood (1-1) at {Pebble Hills (2-0) - Steve Escajeda
- El Dorado (2-0) at Eastlake (2-0) - Steve Escajeda
- Riverside (2-0) at Jefferson (2-0) Adrian Broaddus
- Del Valle (1-1) at Andress (0-2) Brandon Cohn
- Seminole (1-1) at Mt View (2-0)
- Canutillo (1-1) at Austin (0-2) Jaime Chavez
- Parkland (1-1) at Burges (0-2) Bill Coon
- Irvin (0-2) at Hanks (1-1) Dave Gest
- Bowie (1-1) at Ysleta (0-2) JD Sursely
- Gadsden (0-3) at Clint (1-1) Russ Bannister
- El Paso (2-0) at San Elizario (0-2)
- Bel Air (2-0) at Chaparral (0-3)
- Fabens (2-0) at Cathedral (1-1)
- Ft. Stockton (2-0) at Horizon (0-2)
Five things before Football Friday Night:
Last night's games:
- Franklin 57 - Coronado 23
- Americas 40 - Montwood 37
In the west side bowl, Franklin dominated in their 1-6A district opener. Junior quarterback Shay Smith had another special day, throwing five touchdown passes in the win. Standout wideout Beau Sparks caught three touchdown passes of 50, 28 and 15 yards. Running back Jordan Morales, who missed last week with an injury, also chipped in with a pair of touchdowns, along with wide receiver Elias Rangel, who caught a pair of touchdown passes. Franklin (2-1) travels to the SAC next Thursday to square off against Americas.
On the other end, Coronado proved they can score against some of the more elite programs in the city, something the Thunderbirds couldn't say last year. ATH Blake Randag was inactive for this matchup. Senior Cade Little returned a kickoff for 88-yards and had some key runs throughout the game. Quarterback Owen Levesque also contributed with a rushing score and booted in a field goal. Coronado (1-2) will face off against Eastlake next week as district play continues.
Upon getting off to a commanding 21-9 lead, which turned into a 29-16 at haltime, Americas was able to distance themselves from Montwood. However, the Rams came back in full force during the second half, including a 25-yard touchdown reception from wideout Kaleb Alvarez to cut the Trailblazers' lead to eight (30-24). Then, Diego Oaxaca hauled in a pair of touchdown receptions for Montwood to cut the lead to three points, 40-37. Thanks to four interceptions by Americas, including an interception in the final seconds of the game, the Trailblazers were able to outlast the Rams, 40-37.
915 Tours Co-Game of the Week: Eastwood vs. Pebble Hills
Is this the year for Pebble Hills? The Spartans demolished Canutillo in week one and destroyed Del Valle last week leading into district play. Junior quarterback Gael Ochoa leads the team with 281 passing yards and five touchdown passes. Receiver Jalile Bost has also contributed with four touchdown receptions. They're also getting production from sophomore running back Zereian Quarrels, who has 143 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, they're a force too. They have racked up six total sacks, 18 quarterback hurries and a pair of fumble recoveries.
They will meet a tough Eastwood Trooper team that hung 63 points against Las Cruces last week in their home opener. The Trooper offense might have also found its identity under junior quarterback Evan Minjarez, who was brilliant last week, completing 14-of-16 passes for 432 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns and one rushing score. Wideouts Curtis Murrillo (five catches for 159 yards, 2 TDs) and Michael Caldera (four catches for 129 yards and 3 TDs) shined in the win as well.
This could be the highest-scoring game of the year in 6A action, with both teams having the ability to score at will. I could see this going to overtime. I can see this being back and forth to the bitter end. I'll take the road team with a massive upset to shake everything up in 1-6A.
Prediction: Eastwood 63 - Pebble Hills 56
The Other Co-Game of the Week: El Dorado vs. Eastlake
One of the best early-season storylines to start the season has been El Dorado freshman (yes, freshman) running back Ryan Estrada's explosive come-out party for the Aztecs. Through two games, he's racked up 319 rushing yards and three touchdowns. But can his success on the ground continue into district play against a stifling Eastlake defense that might be one of the best in the city? Or, will the Aztecs win a key district opener to remain undefeated?
Eastlake comes into Friday after a bizarre 13-7 loss to Rio Rancho Cleveland on the road last week, which was filled with turnovers on both sides of the ball. The Falcons are still trying to find their quarterback, juggling between senior Javier Ortega and sophomore Luke Lomeli. They need to find their identity on offense. But defensively, they're special. Linebacker Hector Hinojos already has 38 tackles in just two games, including a sack, four quarterback hurries and 15 solo tackles.
Prove me wrong, El Dorado! I'll stick with the tough Falcons defense in this one.
Prediction: Eastlake 14 - El Dorado 7
Riverside's Quest for Greatness Continues
Coach Gary Recoder has built a winner at Riverside. It's largely thanks to star quarterback Angel "Speedy" Munoz, who is one of the most dynamic players the city's seen since the likes of El Dorado alumn Cedarious Barfield. Munoz, who holds a few Division I offers, has 249 passing yards, 167 rushing yards, two passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns over two games. The defending 1-4A champions will have an opportunity to repeat their success this season with a loaded roster filled with talent.
They will face a tough, 2-0 Jefferson team on Friday night in enemy territory. The Silver Foxes have had a strong running game out of the gate, led by junior Miguel Rubio and senior Roman Gomez. As a team, they totaled 343 rushing yards in their swift 31-14 victory at Irvin last week.
Predictions: Riverside 42 - Jefferson 17
Andress Isn't Going to Be 0-3... Or Are They?
It's been an uncharacteristic start for Andress to start the season, largely due to standout senior ATH Malcolm Anderson being sidelined due to a high ankle sprain. Instead, they've had to rely on quarterback Elias Duncan to do everything on offense. Targets like Shawn and Isaiah Owens have come along in the offense, but the Eagles have been outscored 69-14 in the first two weeks. They have a tough opponent in Del Valle to try and get their first win of the season.
The Conquistadores are coming into this game after a 50-13 setback against Pebble Hills last week. Quarterback Jesse Ramos leads the squad with 413 passing yards and six touchdowns. They have solid weapons in Eli Molina (118 receiving yards, four touchdowns) and R.J. Bracamontes (117 receiving yards).
Prediction: Del Valle 31 - Andress 17