5A Team of the Week: El Paso Ysleta Indians
On paper, the matchup didn’t look kind for Ysleta this past Friday. The Indians came into their matchup with undefeated Bel Air sitting at 2-4 and 0-1 in district play. Dave Campbell’s Texas Football regarded them as 20-point underdogs.
However, Ysleta’s defense came to play. The Indians pitched a shutout through the first three quarters, allowing their offense to propel them to a 14-0 lead behind rushing touchdowns from Martin Castro and Deandre Jackson. And although Bel Air attempted a fourth quarter comeback, a touchdown pass from Michael Jacquez to Jackson put the game out of reach as the Indians held on for a stunning 21-14 victory.
Castro led the ground game with 114 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries, but it was the Ysleta defense that was arguably the difference in this game as it forced four turnovers. Jackson and Diego Ponce each had interceptions, while Ponce and Adrian Robles both had fumble recoveries.
The victory gives Ysleta great momentum heading into its bye week. Following its week off, it will face El Paso Horizon on Oct. 20. A win in that game would just about secure the Indians their fifth-straight playoff berth.
*Stats from MaxPreps
Previous 5A Teams of the Week
Week One: Melissa
Week Two: Liberty Hill
Week Three: Frisco Lone Star
Week Four: Boerne Champion
Week Five: PSJA North
Week Six: La Porte
