District 1-6A seems to be growing stronger and more competitive year after year. Case in point? El Paso Eastwood is continuing to push towards playoff runs deeper than any El Paso team has ever gone before, while Pebble Hills won its first-ever playoff game last season.
This year is shaping up to be a dogfight yet again for the district’s four playoff berths with a lot of returning experience across the nine teams in the district.
Here is what to watch for in District 1-6A this season.
Americas Trail Blazers
Head Coach: Noe Robles (1st Season)
Last Season: 5-5; 5-3 in district
Americas Key Players and Storylines
For the first time in 15 years, the Trail Blazers will have a new coach leading them on the sideline. Former Eastlake co-defensive coordinator Noe Robles takes over after Patrick Melton resigned his position in November to move into an administrative role.
Last Season, the Trail Blazers were left on the outside of the playoffs looking in after a 20-19 defeat to Eastwood and a 24-22 loss to Eastlake. Those two losses and a heavy defeat to Franklin left them on the short end of a three-way tiebreaker for the final two playoff spots.
However, this season, Robles said he expects the Trail Blazers to break through and earn their first playoff berth since 2019. They’ll have six players returning on offense and seven back on defense to help them achieve that goal.
Robles said he’s excited about the experience returning starting quarterback Mark Moore III (1,282 passing yards and 10 touchdowns; 1,016 rushing yards) brings to the table.
Americas 23 PH 14, 4:51 3rd. Mark Moore 10 yd TD caps a 26-yard drive. Came on 3rd and 6 pic.twitter.com/b3LerEjs39
— Bretbloomquist (@Bretbloomquist) October 1, 2022
Moore also returns two of his favorite weapons from last season in leading receiver Anthony Miranda (825 receiving yards and six touchdowns) and running back Brian Promesse (638 rushing yards; 237 receiving yards; five total touchdowns).
On the other side of the ball, Robles believes a linebacking corps led by last year’s leading tackler SaDante Gomez-Scott (118 total tackles) will help anchor the defense. Miranda (five interceptions) and Mario Holguin (four interceptions) caused opposing quarterbacks loads of problems from their secondary positions a year ago, while Tim Galloway led the Trail Blazers with 13 tackles for loss in 2022 and should be their premier threat in the trenches.
Robles acknowledges that it may take some time for his players to learn a new offensive and defensive system. However, with a dynamic threat like Moore leading the offense, and returning starters at all three levels of the defense, the Trail Blazers should be right in the thick of the playoff race again this season.
Coronado Thunderbirds
Head Coach: Mike Pry (2nd Season)
Last Season: 3-7; 2-6 in district
Coronado Key Players and Storylines
The Thunderbirds showed notable progress in Mike Pry’s first year in charge. Not only did they equal their win total from the previous two seasons combined in 2022, but the 274 points they scored offensively were the most for a Coronado team since 2018.
The offense should be even better this year. Dual threat quarterback Owen Levesque (1,289 passing yards and 14 TDs; 592 rushing yards and seven touchdowns) is a playmaker who should continue to help lead Coronado’s upward trajectory.
He’ll have a wealth of skill talent around him with running back Thomas Murray (248 rushing yards and four touchdowns), receivers Blake Randag (385 receiving yards and five touchdowns) and Cason Golding (261 receiving yards and two touchdowns), and tight end Mateo Grajeda (252 receiving yards and three touchdowns) all returning.
On the other side of the ball, many of the defense’s key contributors were also young a year ago. The Thunderbirds will hope last year’s experience will help them improve on the 37 points per game they allowed in 2022.
Safety Lucas Gonzalez (83 tackles, two interceptions) was Coronado’s primary playmaker a year ago, but the front seven has no shortage of talent either with the return of second team all-district selections defensive end Sebastian Perez and linebacker Bobby Anderson.
Virtually all of Coronado’s key players from last season were underclassmen. With those players having another year of offseason work under their belt, don’t be surprised if Coronado takes another step forward in the win column in 2023.
Eastlake Falcons
Head Coach: Ruben Rodriguez (5th Season)
Last Season: 6-5; 5-3 in district (Lost to Wolfforth Fresnhip in bi-district)
Eastlake Key Players and Storylines
Eastlake has been nothing but consistent since beginning varsity football in 2012. The Eagles have made the playoffs now every year following their inaugural season.
Head Coach Ruben Rodriguez concedes not many people outside the Eastlake community realize the streak the Eagles have been on, but he said it’s something they fully expect to extend to 11 straight years this fall.
The Eagles will return six players on each side of the ball. Rodriguez is excited for the experience his team brings back after he said several younger players earned valuable reps last season.
One of those players is junior quarterback Luke Lomeli (1,372 passing yards and nine touchdowns). He’s poised to lead the Eagles again behind center this year. And although his four leading receivers from a year ago are gone, Rodriguez expects Juan Solis to be a bigger contributor this year after having nine catches in 2022 as a freshman.
EastLake seven, Franklin zero, after this 84 yard return from Juan Solis pic.twitter.com/Vxnuwtfm7a
— Bretbloomquist (@Bretbloomquist) October 15, 2022
Up front, tackle Roman Hernandez will be among Eastlake’s leaders in the trenches after earning a district honorable mention in 2022.
On the other side of the ball, the Falcons return their interceptions leader from a year ago in cornerback Evan Estrada (36 tackles and two interceptions). Linebacker Tyler White (62 tackles) and defensive lineman Logan Duran (62 tackles) are among the players Rodriguez said will be key in Eastlake’s front seven.
Rodriguez’s biggest concern heading into the fall is Eastlake’s depth in a couple areas although he said he has been learning a lot about his team in spring ball.
Eastlake has won at least a share of a district title four times in its history. Last year, the Eagles were right in the thick of the battle before losing their final three district games. Rodriguez said earning another playoff appearance is Eastlake’s primary goal this season.
But he’s not stopping there.
Even though it won’t be easy, he believes his Eastlake team has what it takes to contend for a district title in 2023.
Eastwood Troopers
Head Coach: Julio Lopez (9th season)
Last Season: 9-3; 7-1 in district (Lost to Byron Nelson in area round)
Eastwood Key Players and Storylines
The Troopers have been in the trophy winning business ever since Julio Lopez took over the program in 2015. In those eight seasons, the Troopers have won seven trophies (between district championships and playoff victories). They also became just the third El Paso school to ever make it to the regional semifinals in the state’s biggest classification in 2021.
Now, the goal for Lopez and his Troopers is to make and advance past a regional final. Lopez believes the group of players he has this year could do just that.
Didn’t go our way this weekend, but always a lot to be grateful for as we wrap up our fifth trip to College Station.
I love this group.
62 days till kickoff against Southlake Carroll.#GOTROOP #FAETW pic.twitter.com/knx4CEV14k
— Julio Lopez (@EHSCoachLopez) June 24, 2023
Eastwood returns six starters on defense and five on defense this season. Lopez said that the front seven on each side of the ball could be the best Eastwood has had since he took over the program.
On offense, senior dual threat quarterback Evan Minjarez (2,749 passing yards and 35 touchdowns; 1,075 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns) and running back Max Mancilla (690 rushing yards and six touchdowns) will help make Eastwood’s backfield one of the strongest in the district. Leading the way up front for them will be tackle Braden Ellison, a first team all-district selections last season.
On the other side of the ball, the Troopers do have to replace their leading tackler and their leader in interceptions from 2022.
However, Lopez is confident defensive end Jayden Serrano (50 tackles, 11 TFLs) and defensive tackle Noah Medina (29 tackles) can wreak havoc on opposing offenses up front, while Isaac Alvidrez (48 tackles) can serve as a sure tackler at linebacker. Those three players are Eastwood’s three returning leading tacklers from a year ago.
No El Paso school has ever advanced to a 6A state championship game. Lopez said that is the goal his team has been slowly taking steps toward every year they’ve had success.
If the Troopers can stay healthy and take everything week-by-week, Lopez thinks this group could have the chance to push towards what would be a record-setting regional final appearance.
El Dorado Aztecs
Head Coach: Frank Martinez (3rd Season)
Last Season: 5-5; 3-5 in district
El Dorado Key Players and Storylines
El Dorado returned to 6A for the first time since 2017 last season. And after watching his team pick up three wins in district play, head coach Frank Martinez said his Aztecs proved they could compete at the highest level in Texas.
Now, he said the next step is for them to go and earn a playoff spot this season. The Aztecs have six starters back on offense and five on defense in 2023.
Leading the pack will be running back Ryan Estrada. He had a breakout freshman season a year ago with 1,326 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. He has been attracting attention from across the state with five Division I offers already. Martinez anticipates him taking on more of a leadership role this year as the Aztecs look to build off last season.
El Paso El Dorado FRESHMAN Ryan Estrada 219 yards rushing 3 TDs and a touchdown receiving in his varsity debut…he’s one to watch #txhsfb @GPowersScout @gabrieldbrooks @MikeRoach247 @247Hudson https://t.co/Zw6LBHmZtG
— Matt Stepp (@Matt_Stepp817) August 29, 2022
Estrada’s experience will be a huge help to Elijah Issa as the junior prepares to step into the starting quarterback position. In front of both of them, look for Alexander Kimba to anchor the Aztec offensive line.
Defensively, last year’s leading tackler David Martinez (128 tackles) is back at the linebacker position. Up front, Martinez expects Deaven Medina (36 tackles, 5 TFLs) to be among the Aztecs’ leaders in the trenches.
Estrada may arguably be the best player in the entire district. His presence will mean the Aztec offense will be one to watch in El Paso this season. And after getting its footing at the 6A level a year ago, look for El Dorado to have a realistic shot of achieving its goal of a postseason appearance in 2023.
Franklin Cougars
Head Coach: Daren Walker (17th Season)
Last Season: 6-5; 5-3 in district (Lost to Midland Legacy in bi-district)
Franklin Key Players and Storylines
Franklin has been a model of consistency under the leadership of head coach Daren Walker. The Cougars have now made the playoffs 14 times in his 16-year tenure.
Senior quarterback Shay Smith (2,569 passing yards and 31 TDs; 1,076 rushing yards and 11 TDs) will be leading the charge this season to try and earn Franklin’s fifteenth playoff berth under Walker. A dual threat, he already has multiple Division I offers.
Franklin’s high-powered offense averaged nearly 39 points per game a year ago. Helping Smith maintain that high mark will be senior receiver Patrick Powers (460 receiving yards and three touchdowns) and running back Jordan Morales (910 rushing yards, ten touchdowns), another Division I prospect. Paving the way for all this skill talent will be Jordan’s brother Justin. He burst onto the scene last year, starting on the offensive line and earning first team all-district as a freshman.
On the other side of the ball, Franklin does have some key players to replace but linebacker is the position to watch. Junior Jose Holguin (75 tackles) is the defense’s leading returning tackler, while JB Guzman (46 tackles) is another player who had a big freshman year and should be even better in 2023.
Franklin had a good mix of up-and-coming players and senior leadership a year ago and the Cougars appear to have a similar blend this year. With Walker’s leadership, expect Franklin to be a strong playoff contender again in 2023.
Montwood Rams
Head Coach: Ivan Rangel (1st Season)
Last Season: 2-8; 2-6 in district play
Montwood Key Players and Storylines
Historically, Montwood has been one of the football powerhouses in El Paso. However, that hasn’t been the case recently with just five wins across the past two seasons.
Heading into 2023, the Rams will have a new but familiar face leading the program. After Ariel Famaligi stepped down, Montwood promoted defensive coordinator Ivan Rangel to take over the head coaching role.
Rangel said the focus of the program right now is to have a “Ram Resurgence.” He said the bar will continue to be set high at Montwood with the expectation to compete for district championships year in and year out.
Proud to announce NEW HFC and AC of THE Montwood Rams, Coach Ivan Rangel! pic.twitter.com/kWeROu8qyN
— Montwood Football (@MontwoodFB) January 17, 2023
One thing the Rams will have no shortage of this year is experience. Eight starters are back offensive while six starters return on defense. Rangel said several of these players will be starting for the third-straight year.
However, quarterback will not have a returning starter as the Rams must replace first team all-district selection Isaac Galvan. Michael Southern (274 passing yards and six touchdowns) saw some reps at the position last season and is poised to slide in as the leader behind center.
Southern will have plenty of help around him at the skill positions though as last year’s leading rusher Izayuh Claudio (765 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns) and leading receiver Diego Oaxaca (1,362 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns) both return.
On the other side of the ball, the Rams have a couple of key seniors they must replace from last season, but cornerbacks Cameron Harrelson and Josh Estrada and defensive end Steven Lopez all return to give the unit plenty of veteran leadership.
Rangel believes one of Montwood’s biggest strengths will be the number of seniors they have back this season. With that experience leading the way, Rangel said his players will look to “blaze a new path for future Rams” as they aim to return to the success of the program’s past.
Pebble Hills Spartans
Head Coach: Mark Torres (8th season)
Last Season: 10-2; 7-1 in district (Lost to North Crowley in area round)
Pebble Hills Key Players and Storylines
2022 was a record-setting season for the Spartans. Not only did they claim a share of the district title for the first time in school history, but they also earned their first playoff win ever in a 45-28 victory over Odessa Permian.
However, head coach Mark Torres said his Pebble Hills team won’t be satisfied this year with just achieving what they did a year ago. He said it would be a failure if they don’t go on a deeper playoff run this year as his Spartans look to build on last year’s strong foundation.
FINAL: Pebble Hills 45, Odessa Permian 28
Pebble Hills grabbed their first District 1-6A title about two weeks ago. Today, the Spartans earned their first playoff victory in program history. pic.twitter.com/0PjdpOkWyo
— Sam Guzman (@SamGuzmanTV) November 12, 2022
Eight starters returning on offense will help propel the Spartans again this fall. Senior quarterback Gael Ochoa (2,029 passing yards and 24 touchdowns) will be at the forefront yet again for Pebble Hills. A returning District 1-6A and city MVP, he committed to UTEP in late May.
His leading receiver from last year Jalile Bost has graduated, but Marcus Torres (718 receiving yards and nine touchdowns) does return. A speedy target, he’ll also be a big part of Pebble Hills’ return game. Up front, look for Caleb Herrera to star at either center or guard. He was a first team all-district selection a year ago.
On the other side of the ball, Pebble Hills was stout a year ago, holding opponents to just 20 points per game. Heading into this season, the Spartans will need to do some reloading as just three starters return defensively.
Defensive lineman Rafael Jaquez (40 tackles), cornerback Amari Welch (38 tackles, two interceptions), and linebacker Dorian Jaramillo (115 tackles) will need to lead the unit as the Spartans settle new faces into new places. Torres believes Welch is poised to become a great college prospect as he returns for his third year as a starter, while Jaramillo is coming off the district’s Defensive Newcomer of the Year award after his big 2022 season.
Torres believes Pebble Hills’ biggest advantage will be its veteran leadership in key positions. And with players such as Ochoa having last year’s experience under their belts, keep an eye on Pebble Hills as a team that could make some noise in November yet again in 2023.
Socorro Bulldogs
Head Coach: Edward Cano (2nd Season)
Last Season: 0-10; 0-8 in district
Socorro Key Players and Storylines
Socorro head coach Edward Cano is embarking on his second season trying to turn around a long-struggling Bulldog program. A year ago, Socorro scored just 15 total points in its 10 games. The last time the Bulldogs won more than two games in a season was back in 2015.
However, while Cano said his program’s numbers still make it difficult to compete at the 6A level, his players that do suit up have a never-give-up attitude. They have been working relentlessly since the end of last season to find more success on the field this fall.
Eight starters returning on offense should hopefully help the Bulldogs find the end zone more often this year. Junior wide receiver Jacob Gonzalez (118 receiving yards and one touchdown) and running back/slot receiver Diego Aguirre (232 rushing yards; 59 receiving yards) will be the players Socorro will lean on to move the ball this fall. Center Luis Ramos will be Socorro’s anchor in the trenches after earning second team all-district honors last season.
On the other side of the ball, Socorro has just four starters returning. The Bulldogs will be in good shape in the trenches with Astin Marquez and Michael Orozco (22 tackles, three TFLs), while safety Adrian Acosta (51 tackles, six TFLs) can make plays all over the field. He was Socorro’s second-leading tackler last season.
During his time at Socorro, Cano has been impressed with his players’ ability to overcome adversity. He hopes that fight and the hard work the Bulldogs have put in all offseason will help them be more competitive on the field in 2023.
CLICK HERE to listen to the Texas HS Football Podcast, with Taylor Arenz
