High School football is here: El Paso Week 1 games and predictions
High school football in El Paso and Texas start on Thursday and Friday. Here is a look at the games in El Paso.
Gadsden vs. El Paso High
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: El Paso High
Records: Gadsden is 1-0; Season opener for El Paso High
Last week: Gadsden defeated Ruidoso (N.M.), 42-0; El Paso High did not play
Top Players: Gadsden: RB Freddy Andrade: (20 carries, 178 yards last week); RB Ryan Hernandez (14 carries, 116 yds 3 TD's last week); WR Chris Orozco (41 yards receiving last week). El Paso High: WR Pablo Gonzalez; OL Esteban Contreras; LB Edgar Garcia; DL Manny Chairez
Prediction: Last year's game was one of the most exciting in the early portion of the season with the Tigers winning on a late score. Don't be shocked to see this year's game be close as well: El Paso High 30, Gadsden 24
Horizon vs. Jefferson
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Jefferson High School
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last week: N/A
Top Players: Horizon: WR Ezequiel Bonilla; QB Robert Rodriguez; DB Christopher Munoz; LB Gabriel Aguilera; Jefferson: RB Miguel Rubio; QB Jesus Gomez; DL Derek Palacios; LB Sergio Rodarte
Prediction: Expect Horizon to be better this season and Jefferson coach Tony Martinez always gets the most out of his team. Jefferson 28, Horizon 24.
Canutillo vs. Pebble Hills
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: The SAC
Records: Season opener for both teams.
Last week: N/A
Top Players: Canutillo: QB Jeremiah Knox; LB TJ Locklin; RB/DB Eduardo Carrillo; RB Rene Huerta; Pebble Hills: QB Gael Ochoa; LB Dorian Jaramillo; WR Marcus Torres; DB Amari Welch
Prediction: An intriguing matchup between two teams who expect to have a big seasons in Classes 5A and 6A. Pebble Hills 27, Canutillo 21.
Americas vs. Las Cruces High
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Field of Dreams in Las Cruces
Records: Las Cruces High is 0-1; Season opener for Americas
Last week: Americas was idle; Las Cruces High lost, 24-7, to Volcano Vista (N.M.)
Top Players: Americas: DB Mario Holguin; QB Mark Moore; DL Stephen Gutierrez; WR Anthony Miranda; Las Cruces High: QB Gunnar Guardiola (129 yards passing, 1 TD last week); WR Nate Libby (TD catch last week);
Prediction: The Trailblazers have high hopes for this season and face a stern test at a well coached Cruces High team with lots of tradition. Americas 34, Las Cruces High 24.
Clint vs. Wichita Falls Hirschi
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Andrews High School
Records: Season opener for both schools
Last week: N/A
Top Players: Clint: QB Daniel Ponce; RB Zachary Delgado; DE Colin Ivey; LB Kris Valenzuela; Wichita Falls Hirschi: QB Jimmell McFalls; LB Isaiah Flores; DL Payton Cherry
Prediction: The Lions look to use a tough non-district schedule to get ready for district play in Class 4A. Wichita Falls Hirschi 34, Clint 23.
Lubbock High vs. Socorro
When: 4 p.m. Friday
Where: The SAC
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last week: N/A
Top Players: Lubbock High: RB/LB Zeke Rodriguez; OL/DL Keagan Davis; WR/DB Derek Torrez; LB Jackson Cude; LB Joshua Coleman. Socorro: QB Trevante Thrasher; WR Jacob Gonzalez; RB Diego Aguirre; Center Luis Ramos
Prediction: The Bulldogs feel like they are improved from a season ago. Socorro 23, Lubbock High 17.
Montwood vs. Midland High
When: 7 p.m. CST Friday
Where: Astound Broadband Stadium
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last week: N/A
Top Players: Montwood: WR Diego Oaxaca; RB Izayuh Claudio; QB Michael Southern; DB Cameron Harrelson. Midland High: QB Stroman Bridges; WR Ayden Castillo; DL Darrion Mitchell
Prediction: The Rams look to get this season off to solid start with tough road game: Montwood 44, Midland High 41.
Chapin vs. Coronado
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: El Paso High (game moved from Coronado)
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last week: N/A
Top Players: Chapin: Athlete/QB Daveon Singleton; WR Savion Jordan; OL Jonathan Zamora; DB Dylan Sims. Coronado: QB/PK Owen Levesque; DL Bobby Anderson; WR Cason Golding; TE Mateo Grajeda
Prediction: Should be a game that comes down to the wire. Coronado 27, Chapin 24.
Eastlake vs. Andress
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Andress High School
Records: Season opener for both teams.
Last week: N/A
Top Players: Eastlake: OL Roman Hernandez; QB Luke Lomeli; LB Tyler White; LB Chris Estrada. Andress: OL Craig Wydra; Athlete Andrew Carbajal; RB Marcus Wilson
Prediction: The Falcons will be solid once again on both sides of the ball. Andress will get better as season goes on. Eastlake 35, Andress 20.
Las Cruces Centennial vs. Franklin
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Franklin High School
Records: Franklin is playing season opener; Las Cruces Centennial is 0-1
Last week: Franklin was idle; Las Cruces Centennial lost 27-8 to Rio Rancho (N.M.) Cleveland.
Top Players: Franklin: QB Shay Smith; WR Elias Rangel; WR Patrick Powers; RB Jordan Morales. Las Cruces Centennial: LB John Sierra; CB Omar Terrones; QB Daniel Hernandez
Prediction: The Cougars are seeking revenge on the Hawks after last year's season opening loss in Las Cruces. Franklin 34, Centennial 31.
Eastwood vs. Southlake Carroll
When: 8 p.m. CST Friday
Where: Southlake Carroll HS
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last week: N/A
Top Players: Eastwood: LB Elijah Molinar; QB Evan Minjarez; OT Braden Ellison; RB Max Mancilla. Southlake Carroll: WR Jacob Jordan; WR Clayton Wayland; DE Dustan Mark
Prediction: The Troopers look to give the Dragons all they can handle. Southlake Carroll 38, Eastwood 28.
Del Valle vs. Burges
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Burges High School
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last week: N/A
Top Players: Del Valle: RB/DB Shelton Fuller III; WR/DB Matt Lopez; DB Jorge Facio; RB Juan Archuleta. Burges: WR/LB Devin Mata; DL Christian Gonzalez; LB Evan Lazcano
Prediction: Del Valle will be among the city's best this year. Burges looks to rebound after missing playoffs last season. Del Valle 38, Burges 22.
Parkland vs. El Dorado
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: The SAC
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last week: N/A
Top Players: Parkland: LB Juan Gomez; QB Erik Ortiz; DB Aidan Canada; DB Kaleb Martinez. El Dorado: QB Elijah Issa; RB Ryan Estrada; DL Deaven Medina; OL/DL Tanner Ragan.
Prediction: The Aztecs look to build off improved play last year. Parkland has solid defense. El Dorado 28, Parkland 17.
San Elizario vs. Anthony
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Anthony High School
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last week: N/A
Top Players: San Elizario: LB Andrew Cedillo; LB Zamar Vargas; DL Angel Garcia. Anthony: QB Angel Solis; WR Diego Uscanga; OL John Gomez; LB Ethan Campos
Prediction: Could be a competitive opener for both teams. San Elizario 33, Anthony 28.
Fort Stockton vs. Austin
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Austin High School
Records: Season opener for both teams.
Last week: N/A
Top Players: Fort Stockton: RB/LB Corbin Luna; QB Marco Garcia; OL Aundre Washington. Austin: RB/LB Jacob Marrufo; OL/DL Vaughntel Faleafaga; RB/LB Trey Rangel; RB/LB Jeremiah Parrish.
Prediction: Last year Fort Stockton won a close one at home. This year's game should be close again. Austin 21, Fort Stockton 17.
Bowie vs. Hanks
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Hanks High School
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last week: N/A
Top Players: Bowie: TE Johan Camacho; LB Jonathan Carreon; QB Abraham Carrasco; RB Joe Rodriguez. Hanks: QB Marcus Porras; WR Jude Blanco; RB/LOB Michael Oliver; LB Abram Acosta
Prediction: Hanks looks to start season strong with new coach. Bowie has good skill players. Hanks 34, Bowie 27.
Bel Air vs. Irvin
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Irvin High School
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last week: N/A
Top Players: Bel Air: WR Chris Davis; QB Noah Moreno; DL Jesse Mendoza; LB Jacob Balderrama. Irvin: RB/DB Giovanni Soto; WR/CB Kalei'i Briones; OL/DL Jayce Boebinger; WR/DB Marco Iniguez.
Prediction: The Highlanders are on a mission for a district title in District 1-5A Division I.
Riverside vs. Ysleta
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Ysleta High School
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last week: N/A
Top Players: Riverside: DE Marco Saenz; QB Derek Vasquez; WR/DB Tristan Lopez; WR/DB Ricky Briones. Ysleta: QB Evan Martinez; LB Ricky Najera; LB Adrian Robles; WR/DB Daniel Martinez.
Prediction: Great rivalry game to start season, should be close game. Riverside 28, Ysleta 27.
Fabens vs. Chaparral (N.M.)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Chaparral High School
Records: Season opener for Fabens; Chaparral is 0-1
Last week: Chaparral lost, 31-7, to Cobre (N.M.); Fabens was idle.
Top Players: Chaparral: QB Moses Gurrola (98 yards passing); WR Tyvin Howard (60 yards receiving). Fabens: QB Erick Ortiz; WR Pedro Aguirre; RB Cesar Aguirre; DB Ivan Urrutia
Prediction: The Wildcats should be improved in year two under coach George Levario. Fabens 30, Chaparral (N.M.) 20.
Mountain View vs. Alpine
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Alpine HS
Records: Season opner for both teams
Last week: N/A
Top Players: Mountain View: WR Diego Gonzalez; WR/CB Erick Dominguez; DB Jayden Avila; DT Alexis Zavala. Alpine: LB Edward Morrison; OL/DL Rodolfo Cunningham; OL/DL Robert Vasquez
Prediction: The Lobos have high expectations for this season. Mountain View 38, Alpine 24.
Cathedral vs. Lake Country Christian School
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Dallas
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last week: N/A
Top Players: Cathedral: WR Josh Bowling; RB; Jimmy Voiland; RB; Santiago Landgrave; QB Jose Carlos Herrera
Prediction: The Fighting Irish feel this could be breakout season. Cathedral 31, Lake Country Christian School 21.
Tornillo vs. Morton
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Wink HS
Records: Season opener for both teams.
Last week: N/A
Top Players: Tornillo: RB Joseph Negrete; OL/DL Giovanni Alvidrez; WR: Josue Chuca. Morton: QB Alex Lopez; RB Ej Rivas
Prediction: The Coyotes have some strong skill players: Tornillo 26, Morton 21.
More: Jaramillo is standout for PHS Pebble Hills LB Dorian Jaramillo looks to build on strong 2022 season
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso high school football Week 1 previews and predictions
