It’s time to take a road trip west out to El Paso for District 1-6A.
Eastlake broke through and won its first district title in five years in 2024.
There are more droughts that could be snapped. Coronado wants to be back in the playoffs for the first time since 2018, while Socorro is aiming for its first district win in five years.
Here are all the storylines and players to watch for in District 1-6A.
El Paso Coronado Thunderbirds
Head Coach: Bob Weger (4th season; 13-16 record)
Last Season: 5-4; 2-4 in district
Coronado Key Players and Storylines
The Thunderbirds are determined to break their six-year playoff drought this fall.
Their offense has a great problem, and that’s two standouts they could roll out at quarterback. Senior Ben Wilson (1,398 passing yards, 602 rushing yards, and 16 TDs) started last year, although he’s one of the best athletes on the team, so he can line up elsewhere. Sophomore West Stansbury is the up-and-comer to watch at six-foot-four and 220 pounds. He already has an offer from UCLA.
EP Coronado Dual Sport Athlete Ben Wilson has announced his commitment to NMSU for baseball! ⚾️
Congrats to Ben & Family.
Wilson is coming off a huge junior campaign which included numerous accolades such as:
1-6A MVP (Baseball)
1-6A 1st Team All District QB
EP Times Male… pic.twitter.com/BU6dFHUWdz— Andrew ⛏️ 🟧🟦 8️⃣ – Days Til Kickoff (@andr3w_tx) July 1, 2025
Junior receiver Chris Frescas (353 receiving yards and three touchdowns) is poised to make a jump this year after being the number two option a year ago.
On the other side of the ball, ATH Norman Montion (76 tackles) is Coronado’s leading returning tackler and is also a big threat as a returner on special teams. The Thunderbirds should be able to get after opposing quarterbacks with defensive ends Robert Serrano (38 tackles, six TFLs) and Sebastian Jaurrieta.
Sophomore ATH Cason Golding (24 tackles) is another prospect to watch after he made an impact on varsity a year ago.
There’s a lot of talent back for Coronado this year on both sides of the ball. After two district losses by three points each in 2024, this group will be eager to clear that hurdle and make it back to the playoffs this fall.
El Paso Eastlake Falcons
Head Coach: Ruben Rodriguez (7th season; 40-22 record)
Last Season: 7-4; 6-0 in district (Lost to Permian in bi-district)
Eastlake Key Players and Storylines
The Falcons are coming off their first district title since 2019. However, they’ve got to replace their backfield leaders and three all-district linemen from a year ago.
They still have their offensive line anchor in center Jacob Negron. The biggest strength though will be in the receivers room. The Falcons run four deep there with seniors Junior Trotman (636 receiving yards and seven touchdowns) and Jayden Sharpe (424 receiving yards and six touchdowns) and juniors Jordan Reveles (332 receiving yards and five touchdowns) and Ethan Sharpe (302 receiving yards and one touchdown).
LOMELI TO TROTMAN on this filthy pass and route for @EHSFalconFB
Falcons 14
Franklin 0@Fchavezeptimes @EPSports915 pic.twitter.com/cZhhSVMjqQ
— Matthew Taylor (@CoachTaylor2023) October 26, 2024
Linebacker Fernando Morales (90 tackles) will be one of Eastlake’s defensive leaders. Defensive tackle Andrew Flanagan (39 tackles) can be Eastlake’s rock in the trenches at 6’1″ and 275 pounds, while senior Riley Estrada returns after earning second team all-district honors at cornerback in 2024.
The Falcons will arguably have the best group of receivers in this district this season. How they fill in the holes around those players will determine the trajectory of their 2025 season.
El Paso Eastwood Troopers
Head Coach: Julio Lopez (11th season; 67-41 record)
Last Season: 4-6; 2-4 in district
Eastwood Key Players and Storylines
It was a weird feeling for the Troopers last November. They had to watch the first round of playoffs from home for the first time since 2017.
This year’s group will be desperate to bounce back. Junior Kingston Jeffries will take over as the full-time quarterback this season. He certainly has the leadership qualities for it, having been elected as one of Eastwood’s team captains.
He’s got playmaker receiver Jude Walker (804 receiving yards and eight touchdowns) to target in the passing game, while running back Nathan Chavira (454 rushing yards and nine touchdowns) is back in backfield after serving as Eastwood’s number two option last season.
Some highlights from Eastwood’s win over El Dorado in the El Paso 7-on-7 SQT qualifying game.
Eastwood’s Jude Walker had a great showing at WR. https://t.co/SL81JNlaFB pic.twitter.com/SFeIS4zNJI
— Sam Guzman (@SamGuzmanTV) May 31, 2025
On the other side of the ball, linebacker Andrew Cintron is a key cog in the middle of the field, while senior cornerbacks Matthew Yarbrough and Jayden James and safety Roberto Ramirez are all back in the secondary.
The Troopers are just two years removed from a district title, so this is a program that knows how to win. They’ll be determined to get back to those ways this fall after last year’s shortcomings.
El Paso Franklin Cougars
Head Coach: Ruben Torres (1st season)
Last Season: 6-5; 4-2 in district (Lost to Midland Legacy in bi-district)
Franklin Key Players and Storylines
The Cougars welcome in Ruben Torres after longtime head coach Daren Walker was re-assigned over the offseason. Torres had a ton of success at Marlin in Central Texas the past three seasons.
He takes over a Cougars squad that will expect to hit the ground running. Workhorse back Ernie Powers (2,224 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns) is coming off a huge season which earned him the district’s Offensive Athlete of the Year award. The Cougars also have fellow senior back Atreyu DeLaRiva (643 rushing yards and seven touchdowns) to spell him when needed.
Ernie Powers at full strength right now. Finds the end zone for a third time. This time from 8 yards out. Has 150 yards on the ground so far
Q3 :49
Franklin 28
Socorro 07 #txhsfb #FFN600 pic.twitter.com/55rIsQHXWf— Alberto Urueta (@alberto_lgo) October 19, 2024
They should have some room to run too. Kansas State commit Justin Morales is the anchor on the offensive line at tackle, and fellow seniors Martin Contreras and Sergio Barraza are back as well.
Defensively, the Cougars have a trio of playmakers at linebacker in seniors JB Bodoni-Guzman (115 tackles, three TFLs), Stone Jessup (91 tackles, four TFLs), and Adonis Bustillos (87 tackles, seven TFLs). Gabriel Guzman (46 tackles) will be Franklin’s anchor in the trenches after earning second team all-district honors at defensive tackle.
Franklin has leaders back on both sides of the ball, and a head coach who has had playoff success at multiple schools. Look for Franklin to be a threat for the district title this fall.
El Paso Montwood Rams
Head Coach: Ivan Rangel (3rd season; 8-13 record)
Last Season: 3-7; 3-3 in district (Lost to Frenship in bi-district)
Montwood Key Players and Storylines
Montwood has now made the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time since 2019-2020.
They’ve got electric quarterback Damian Briano (1,923 passing yards and 21 touchdowns) back to run the offense this year. It could be a three-headed monster coming out of the Ram backfield when you combine Briano’s legs with running backs Gene Palmer (209 rushing yards) and Tim Rosales (466 rushing yards, 266 receiving yards). Rosales was a big receiving threat last year as well.
With only 0:01 left before half the Montwood Rams made the most of their final opportunity. Damian Briano finds Aiden Banuelos for a 35yd TD.
Rams 21
Bulldogs 07
Halftime#txhsfb#FFN600 pic.twitter.com/wxg1XxPxIs— Alberto Urueta (@alberto_lgo) November 9, 2024
6’0″, 170-pound receiver Adrian Cortinas (515 receiving yards and six touchdowns) is the player to watch when the Rams turn to the air.
On the other side of the ball, linebacker Joseph Schwanter (130 tackles, five TFLs) will be the unquestioned leader of the Rams defense. He led them in tackles in 2024. However, he’s the only returner among Montwood’s top ten tacklers from a year ago.
The Rams will need new faces to step up quickly on their defense. However, the offense still has the weapons to put up plenty of points this year. They’ll hope those fireworks can get them back in the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
El Paso Pebble Hills Spartans
Head Coach: Ryan Warner (2nd season; 5-6 record)
Last Season: 5-6; 4-2 in district (Lost to Midland in bi-district)
Returning Lettermen: 20 (7 returning starters on offense; 8 on defense)
Pebble Hills Key Players and Storylines
Pebble Hills went 5-6 in Ryan Warner’s debut season, but the Spartans are poised to make a jump in year two with 15 starters returning.
They lose a 1,900-yard rusher from, but they still have playmaking quarterback Joe Fernandez (1,181 passing yards and 14 touchdowns). They also have promising sophomore receiver Lajuan Bailey. He’s got “extremely good hands” and will be a “playmaker on the outside”.
Joe Fernandez with 6-yard TD run and Pebble Hills up 28-6 on Socorro pic.twitter.com/IFKYtkTMpD
— Felix Chavez (@Fchavezeptimes) October 25, 2024
The passing game should have some time to operate too with experienced left tackle Arturo Ortiz leading the offensive line.
On the other side of the ball, it’s a mixed bag. The linebacking corps is brand new, but the entire back end returns. Safety Anthony Vasquez (101 tackles) is the “quarterback of the secondary” and is also a dangerous return man. The Spartan staff is also high on fellow safety senior Julius Castro (44 tackles). They believe he’s in for a breakout year.
Up front, opposing offensive lines will get to know defensive lineman Jelan Pacheco Parra (86 tackles, 10 TFLs). He’s “one of the best defensive linemen in the city” in Pebble Hills’ eyes.
With so many returning starters and “incoming freshmen and sophomores that may take the city by storm”, Pebble Hills has high hopes for 2025. The Spartans want to be in the district title race as they aim to finish above .500.
El Paso Socorro Bulldogs
Head Coach: Eddie Cano (4th season; 2-28 record)
Last Season: 2-8; 0-6 in district
Socorro Key Players and Storylines
The pieces began to come together for Socorro in year three under Eddie Cano. The Bulldogs snapped a 29-game losing streak last season and had their highest offensive output since 2008.
However, the 2024 Bulldogs were heavily senior-led. Their starting quarterback, leading rusher, and top two receivers all graduated.
Senior quarterback Antonio Montes is ready to take on the starting role after serving as the backup a year ago. He’ll lean on senior receiver Devin Fernandez (200 receiving yards), who is Socorro’s top returning skill player.
On the other side of the ball, linebacker Prince Vital (101 tackles, 14 TFLs) and safety Ruben Huerta (89 tackles, four INTs) will be all over the field for the Bulldogs. Huerta was a ballhawk for the Bulldogs last year too with five interceptions.
Cano and his staff will have gone to work over the offseason as they settle in plenty of new faces. They’ll hope the foundation they’ve laid the last three years pays off as they continue to work towards their first district win since 2020.
