Junior DB/WR Eduardo Carrillo plays huge role in Canutillo's 21-14 win against Chapin
Eduardo Carrillo is regarded as one of El Paso's top players.
On Friday night, the junior defensive back and wide receiver proved that to be true in every way.
Carrillo caught a touchdown pass, blocked a potential go-ahead field goal attempt and intercepted a pass in the end zone to secure the Eagles' 21-14 win against Chapin at Irvin High School. Carrillo missed the first six games with a broken collarbone and returned last week against Andress and a caught a touchdown pass in a 58-7 win.
Canutillo is 6-2 overall and 3-0 in District 1-5A Division II and Chapin drops to 5-3 overall and 2-1 in district. Friday's game was the matchup of the top two teams in the district. Both teams are likely to host bi-district playoff games when the playoffs begin on Nov. 8.
After Carrillo blocked Ivan Dominguez' 28-yard field goal attempt in the fourth quarter, the Eagles took the ball and promptly went 80 yards in 12 plays to go up 21-14 with 1:32 left. Quarterback Jeremiah Knox capped the drive with a 20-yard scoring run over the left side. Backup quarterback Mathew Gasca had a big drive in running situations and had rushes of 6, 7 and 10 yards on the drive. Receiver Ethan Villa had a huge 9-yard catch on the drive.
Chapin had one last chance to tie or win the game and drove inside the Eagles 40 but Daveon Singleton's pass was intercepted by Carrillo in the end zone.
Even first half
The teams went into halftime tied at 14 and both teams had big offensive plays in the opening 24 minutes.
Singleton scored on two touchdown runs for Chapin, including one from 61 yards out on a third down play. He added a one-yard score, which was set up by a 90-yard run by running back Carey Wade.
Canutillo answered with an 84-yard touchdown pass from Knox to Carrillo after the Eagles stopped the Huskies inside the 20. Knox added a five-yard TD run late in the first half.
The Eagles also recovered a Chapin fumble but couldn't turn it into points.
What the winning coach said
"Eduardo brings us so much energy and he performed at a high level in all phases of the game," Eagles coach Scott Brooks said. "He drives me nuts because he wants the ball all the time, but he's a great kid and works hard. Our offense had a great drive to go ahead. Our two quarterbacks are unselfish and played well. Chapin is a tough team and it played well. Chapin coach Ryan Warner did a great job of getting his team ready to play."
What the winning players said
"It feels great to be back and playing the whole game," Carrillo sad. "We knew it would be a tough game, we stepped up as a team. Our offensive line played as well as it has all season on that game winning drive. We did well in the second half on defense and we all stepped up."
Added Canutillo linebacker TJ Locklin "We showed lots of heart and determination in this game. We've gotten guys back from injury on defense and that's helped us so much. It just feels great to win this game and be in a spot to win district and host a playoff game."
Up next
Canutillo is at home against Jefferson and Chapin takes on El Paso High at Irvin High School.
More: Eastwood holds off Montwood How Eastwood's defense helped push the Troopers past Montwood in District 1-6A clash
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Canutillo in control of District 1-5A D-II after win vs. Chapin
