Three El Paso Area Football Teams Set for Area Playoffs
Three teams from El Paso will get set for the area playoff round on Friday night, each with one goal in mind: survive and advance. Pebble Hills, Eastwood and Canutillo have each had great seasons. Now, it will be up to these local squads to try and hang in with the best of them as the playoffs continue.
Follow along with the 600 ESPN El Paso scoreboard thanks to Scorestream for live scoring updates of the matchups below:
Out of the 6A ranks, Pebble Hills (10-1) is coming off its first bi-district title in school history under head coach Mark Torres. The Spartans have been well-tested all year and have risen to the occasion week after week. They’re not only boasting the program’s first playoff win, but they swiftly beat a 9-1 Odessa Permian team, 45-28, last week. Pebble Hills features a strong rushing attack and can mix in the pass when needed. Senior ATH Jacob Ledesma can do it all from the skill position level, while junior quarterback Gael Ochoa can come up with big plays when they need them. The Spartans will face an 11-0 North Crowley squad, which destroyed Timber Creek, 66-17, in the bi-district round. Kickoff in Andrews is set for 5:30 p.m. MST.
In 1-6A Division II, Eastwood (9-2) is also coming off an impressive home victory against San Angelo Central last week, 61-49. They have honed in on their stealth rushing attack offensively, led by quarterback Evan Minjarez (2,429 passing yards, 995 rushing yards), Max Mancilla (685 rushing yards, 6 TDs) and Jake Chenausky (519 rushing, 5 TDs). They have benefited off a stifling defense that will have a large task ahead of them with Byron Nelson, one of the best teams across 6A. Byron Nelson beat Fort Worth Boswell 54-14 last week. This matchup will take place at Midland Greenwood High School with a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Out of the 5A ranks, Canutillo (8-2) has been impressive all year long and hopes to continue their quest for a run in the state playoffs. After blanking Amarillo Palo Duro last week, 28-0, the Eagles will face Arlington Heights (10-1) at Odessa’s Ratliff Stadium on Friday. Canutillo’s offense is led by Stanford commit LJ Martin (17 rushing TDs), but their defense has been the story. Brothers Eduardo (5 interceptions) and Chuy (110 tackles) Carrillo have been outstanding for the defense this year.