The first home game for the El Paso Pebble Hills Spartans as a varsity program did not turn out as planned Thursday night at the SAC. El Paso Chapin’s speedy defense led the charge again as the Huskies turned in a 37-7 win over El Paso’s newest high school. Chapin has now given up just 21 points through three games of the 2016 season.
The first half was a defensive struggle as both teams were scoreless for the first quarter, thanks to a combination of great defense and rust early on. The game started 45 minutes late due to the Parkland-Eastlake game running long. Early in the second quarter, Chapin adjusted their attack, relying on running backs Angel Soto and Matthew Zubiate to power the Huskies down the field. The result: a 14-play, 75-yard drive capped off by an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Anthony Baird to Matthew Zubiate.
On the ensuing Pebble Hills drive, Spartan quarterback Orlando Puig was picked off by Chapin cornerback Christian McKeever. The Huskies would punch it in four plays later, as Baird delivered a beautiful touchdown pass to wide receiver Ryan Wilson in the corner of the end zone. Pebble Hills gave the ball back to the Huskies two plays later, after Puig was picked off by Chapin cornerback Kevin Licon. David De La Cruz would chip in a 33-yard field goal at the end of the first half to give the Huskies a 17-0 lead.
In the second half, the Huskies continued to utilize the dynamic running ability of Soto and the power of the 6-3, 230 pound Zubiate. Zubiate delivered two nine-yard, third quarter touchdowns while Soto added a 12-yard touchdown run of his own in the fourth quarter for Chapin’s final score. Angel Soto finished with 86 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Zubiate finished with 60 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns and a touchdown catch. Pebble Hills would break the shutout and add a score late with a five-yard touchdown run from Gabriel Hijar.
Chapin moves to 3-0 on the year and will have a week off before starting District 1-5A play at El Paso Austin. Pebble Hills falls to 1-2 on the season and will also have a bye next week before starting the District 1-6A schedule at El Paso Franklin.
