After a big win last week at Bowie, the Chapin Huskies were looking to avoid a letdown against the Irvin Rockets, their Northeast El Paso rivals. They did just that and locked down the Rockets with a 49-0 victory.
Chapin’s Kevin Licon opened the game with a big 54-yard kickoff return that set up the offense in Irvin territory. The Huskies would move 36 yards in five plays in under 90 seconds to put up the first score, a two-yard touchdown run by quarterback Anthony Baird.
Irvin had a chance to respond and had a good drive going into Chapin territory, but quarterback Adam Knuston was turned away on fourth down inside the Chapin 35. That would be the best drive of the game for the Rockets, as Baird completed a 32-yard catch and run to Ryan Wilson to make 14-0 halfway through the first quarter and the Huskies were cruising.
Baird would add a 23-yard touchdown pass to Angel Soto to make it 21-0 late in the first quarter.
Baird finished the game efficiently in the first half, going 8 for 10 for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns. He added 47 rushing yards and a score. He did not play in the second half, as the Huskies had built up a 35-0 lead at the break. In the second half, backup running back Darrell Battle broke out with two long touchdown runs of 57 and 65 yards.
The Chapin defense locked down their opponents once again, holding the Rockets to just 85 yards of total offense. They were able to keep Knuston in check, finishing with 12 carries for no yards. He entered Friday night’s game averaging 125 yards rushing per game. The Huskies also pitched their third shutout this season and still have allowed only 34 points on the year.
With the win, the Huskies have now won 16 consecutive District 1-5A games, dating back to 2014. They move to 7-0 on the year and play at El Paso Jefferson next week. The Irvin Rockets lost their third straight game and fall to 3-5 and 2-3 in District 1-5A. They host El Paso High next week.
