El Paso Montwood Rams

Head Coach: Ivan Rangel (3rd season; 9-22 record)

Last Season: 1-9; 1-5 in district

Returning Lettermen: 29 (5 returning starters on offense; 8 on defense)

Montwood Key Players and Storylines

Montwood bottomed out last season, limping to a 1-9 finish where it allowed a mind-boggling 58 points per game.

The Rams will be desperate to turn the page on that chapter with a good group of rising seniors and juniors among their 29 returning lettermen.

Quarterback is a major question mark after the graduation of a 3,400-yard passer, so the veteran presence of three-year letterman running back Gene Palmer (561 rushing yards) will be huge. In the passing attack, explosive wide receiver Miguel Escqueda (936 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns) will be a must-watch player, while center Christian Villegas will be the glue up front.

When it comes to the other side of the ball, opposing interior offensive lines better be ready. Defensive tackles Cam Dominguez (61 tackles) and Leroy Lutu (60 tackles) are big and disruptive up front. Linebacker Joel Baca (52 tackles) is a leader in the middle of the field, while defensive back Andy Quintana (39 tackles), a three-year starter, will be entrusted with holding down the fort on the back end.

Head coach Ivan Rangel believes this year’s group is much deeper with so much returning experience. Despite last year’s struggles, he said expectations won’t change. This is a group that believes it should be celebrating its third playoff berth in four years come November.

Montwood 2026 Schedule

*Denotes District 1-6A Contest

8/28 @ Hanks 7:00 p.m.

9/4 @ El Paso Del Valle 7:00 p.m.

9/11 vs. Americas 7:30 p.m.

9/18 vs. San Angelo at Andrews ISD 7:00 p.m.

*9/25 vs. Pebble Hills 7:00 p.m.

*10/2 @ Coronado 7:00 p.m.

*10/9 vs. Franklin 6:30 p.m.

*10/15 @ Socorro 7:00 p.m.

*10/29 vs. Eastwood 7:30 p.m.

*11/5 @ Eastlake 7:30 p.m.