High School Football Season Kicks Off Tonight

The dog days of summer have given way to hot August nights, and four area teams will commence their 2011 seasons tonight.  In what is becoming a fun zero week tradition, two El Paso powerhouses will compete against two of the best that Las Cruces and New Mexico have to offer.

El Dorado will host the Las Cruces Bulldawgs at the SAC.  The Aztecs look to avenge a 23-20 zero week loss last year in Cruces.  El Dorado returns no starters from last years' potent offense that averaged 39.5 points a game.  The good news is that the Aztecs return four starters from an underrated defense that allowed only 16.1 points a game.  Even better news is that one of those starters on defense is linebacker Anthony Gonzalez.  Gonzalez led the team with 162 tackles in 2010.

Conversely Las Cruces returns a lot of starters and impact players on offense, and has a ton of talent.  Cruces is expected to compete for the New Mexico state championship and will escape the SAC with a hard fought 31-21 victory.

Since 2008, the Chapin Huskies have opened their seasons playing Las Cruces Mayfield at the Field of Dreams.  Pardon the on the nose pun, but it has been a 'Field of Nightmares' for Rene Hernandez and the Huskies.  Chapin fell to Mayfield 27-9 in '08.  They got blanked 38-0 in '09, and got drubbed 51-8 last year.

One could accuse Huskie coach Rene Hernandez of being a masochist, but he likes taking on one of New Mexico's best so early.  Hernandez feels it allows him to evaluate his team, and gets them ready for the grind of district play.  Chapin returns some talented skill players, and are always fun to watch with their up-tempo, spread offense.

Mayfield returns a lot of key guys from the 2010 state championship team.  They traditionally start off fast, and are tough to beat at the Field of Dreams.  Chapin will keep it close early, but Mayfield will wear them down with their depth, size, and strength.  The Huskies will make it 0-4 at the Field of Dreams and fall to the Trojans 41-20.

Our high school coverage begins tomorrow with Football Friday Nights from our new location at Crawford Buick-GMC.  Click here to find out how you can win $100 every Friday.