Week 1 is here! El Paso high school football capsules and predictions
Midland Christian vs. Americas
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: The SAC
Records: Both teams are 0-0
Last Week: Season opener for both teams
Top Players to Watch: Americas - QB Mark Moore, OL Ralph Castaneda, WR/DB Anthony Miranda, LB Alex Ortiz, LB Josh De La Rosa; Midland Christian - RB/LB Dawson Bullard; OL Josh Cobb; DL Jimmy Johnson; LB Zanden King.
Prediction
Felix Chavez: Going to be a major challenge for the Trailblazers as Midland Christian won 10 games last year. But the Trailblazers are a year older and have some good skill players. Americas 31, Midland Christian 28
El Paso High vs. Gadsden (N.M.)
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Gadsden High School
Records: Season opener for El Paso High; Gadsden is 0-1
Last Week: El Paso High was idle; Gadsden lost to Ruidoso (N.M.), 20-0
Top Players to Watch: El Paso High - QB Gerry Chairez, Athlete Peter Chavez, OL Nick Salazar, DE Josh Contreras, RB/DB Lueranze Johnson. Gadsden - QB Tomas Herrera, RB Alfredo Andrade; DT Nathaniel Lopez; DE John Martin; LB Matthew Granados
Prediction
Felix Chavez: El Paso High’s skill position players will be the difference in this one. Gadsden must improve on offense if it wants to make this close. El Paso High 28, Gadsden 14
Tornillo vs. Morton
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Crane High School
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last Week: No games
Top Players to Watch: Tornillo - WR Mike Ibarra, RB Nick Rojero, OL Bobby Sanchez; Morton - QB Alex Lopez, OL Cade Lyon, WR Vicente Montoya
Predictions
Felix Chavez: Tornillo hopes to get off on right foot against solid team. Morton 34, Tornillo 21
Pebble Hills vs. Canutillo
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Canutillo High School
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last Week: No games
Top Players to Watch: Pebble Hills - Athlete Robert Deal, QB Gael Ochoa, WR Jalile Bost, Athlete Jacob Ledesma, DL Greg Nelson; Canutillo - LB Jesus Carrillo, RB LJ Martin, DE Alex Jordan, DB Edward Carrillo, QB Jeremiah Knox.
Predictions
Felix Chavez: A great matchup between No. 1 and No. 2 teams in El Paso. Hard game to pick. Both teams have talent all over the field and have high expectations. Game could come down to last possession. Canutillo 35, Pebble Hills 31
Midland High vs. Montwood
When: 4 p.m. Friday
Where: The SAC
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last Week: No games
Top Players to Watch: Midland High - RB Brylee Perez, DB Jake Nava, WR Kyle Blanchard; Montwood - RB Izayuh Claudio, Athlete Diego Oaxaca, DB Cameron Harrelson, TE Brandon Saucedo, OL, Sean Crosby.
Predictions
Felix Chavez: If Montwood can minimize giving up the big plays and be solid up front on offense, it has a chance for the win. Montwood 34, Midland High 27
Andress vs. Eastlake
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: The SAC
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last Week: No games
Top Players to Watch: Andress - Athlete Malcolm Anderson, OL Craig Wydra, QB Elias Duncan, DE Jaden Patton Carter, WR/LB Isaiah Owens; Eastlake - LB Hector Hinojos, PK Julian Melucci, DL Caleb Emery, WR Adrian Lopez, OL Fernando Diaz.
Predictions
Felix Chavez: A solid opener to start the season and should be entertaining. Eastlake 26, Andress 20
Austin vs. Fort Stockton
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Fort Stockton High School
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last Week: No games
Top Players to Watch: Austin - RB/LB Jayden Wilson, DL William Lamb, QB/DE Irving Cortinas, RB/DL Sergio Rodriguez, OL Sebastian Valles; Fort Stockton - LB Daren Ureste; DL/OL Cruz Rojas, LB/RB Jaydrien Ramirez
Predictions
Felix Chavez: A good test for Austin right off the bat as it competes in Class 4A after moving down from 5A. The Panthers have their sights set on big season. Austin 35, Fort Stockton 21
Hanks vs. Bowie
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Bowie High School
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last Week: No games
Top Players to Watch: Hanks - RB/LB Xavier Johnson, SS Andrew Castillo, WR Erik Folkdahl, LB Ryan Arzaga, OL Hector Palacio. Bowie - OL Obed Galvan, OL Jashwa Villanueva, OL Darren Gonzalez, RB Abraham Carrasco, WR Antonio Ontiveros
Predictions
Felix Chavez: Knights RB Xavier Johnson could be the difference in this one with his big play ability. Hanks 34, Bowie 24
Irvin vs. Bel Air
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Irvin High School
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last Week: No games
Top Players to Watch: Irvin -WR/DB Isaac Guerrero, WR Jonathan Chairez, RB/DE Nikolas Rivera; OL/DL Andres Orozco; RB/LB Josh Morales. Bel Air - QB Noah Moreno, DB Chris Davis, OL Emilio Wong, Adam Silva, WR, LB Jacob Balderrama.
Predictions
Felix Chavez: A good test for both teams to start season. Bel Air's offense could be the difference. Bel Air 35, Irvin 28
Ysleta vs. Riverside
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Riverside High School
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last Week: No games
Top Players to Watch: Ysleta - RB Arath Gomez, DB Deandre Jackson, OL Angel Vasquez, WR Daniel Martinez, DB David Avalos; Riverside - QB Angel Munoz, DB Adrian Estrada, OL Devan Quintana, DE Marco Saenz, RB Jose Guardado
Predictions
Felix Chavez: A great matchup for teams with high hopes for the season. Rangers might have too much offense in this one. Riverside 42, Ysleta 34
Anthony vs. San Elizario
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: San Elizario High School
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last Week: No games
Top Players to Watch: Anthony - RB Raymond Hernandez, WR Diego Uscanga, LB Danny Sotelo, DE Eddie Cardenas. San Elizario - RB Cesar Gonzalez, QB Charlie Rivera, LB Robert Briseno, LB Carlos Ochoa
Predictions
Felix Chavez: A much needed game for both teams to get momentum going for season. San Elizario 27, Anthony 21
Cathedral vs. Hot Springs (N.M.)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Hot Springs High School
Records: Season opener Cathedral; Hot Springs 0-1
Last Week: No game for Cathedral; Hot Springs lost 30-0 to Tularosa (N.M.)
Top Players to Watch: Cathedral - WR Jaiden Gonzalez, RB Julian Casillas, DL Adrian Carrera, DB/WB Gabriel Warnock.
Predictions
Felix Chavez: A good test on road for Cathedral. Hot Springs struggled in its opener. Cathedral 35, Hot Springs 7
Socorro vs. Lubbock High
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Plains Capital Park in Lubbock
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last Week: No games
Top Players to Watch: Socorro - WR Eloy Telles, WR Cesar Sanchez, OL Javier Figueroa, OL Victor Morales, LB Sebastian Anaya; Lubbock High - RB Keith Ramirez, OL Jaime Villa, DE Harrison Scheppler, WR/DB Michael Coleman.
Prediction
Felix Chavez: For a program which has struggled in recent years to get momentum going, this is a big game and a winnable one for the Bulldogs. Socorro 24, Lubbock High 17
El Dorado vs. Parkland
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Parkland High School
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last Week: No games
Top Players to Watch: El Dorado - QB Quincy Estrada, WR/DB Evan Garcia, WR/DB Devin Rubio, OL Nathan Marquez, RB Albert Rabb; Parkland - LB Michael Kiesel, RB Isaiah Beasley, LB Juan Gomez, WR DJ Crest, OL Tryone McDuffie.
Predictions
Felix Chavez: Both teams are improved and should make for a tight game. Parkland 31, El Dorado 27
Coronado vs. Chapin
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Austin High School
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last Week: No games
Top Players to Watch: Coronado - Athlete Cade Little, WR/DB Blake Randag, QB Owen Levesque, TE/WR Mateo Grajeda, DB Jacob Valenzuela; Chapin - WR/DB Anthony Rivera, LB Nick Purnell, DL Jovanie Barrios, DB Justin Yhisreal, OL JJ Zamora.
Predictions
Felix Chavez: Chapin is coming off a strong 2021, Coronado will be much improved. Chapin 28, Coronado 24
Franklin vs. Las Cruces Centennial
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Field of Dreams in Las Cruces
Records: Season opener for Franklin; Centennial 1-0
Last Week: Franklin was idle; Centennial def. Rio Rancho Cleveland, 38-35
Top Players to Watch: Franklin - QB Shay Smith, RB Jordan Morales, WR/DB Beau Sparks, RB/LB Julian Mars, WR Patrick Powers; Centennial - QB Daniel Hernandez (225 yards passing), RB Mikah Gutierrez (183 yards rushing), WR Isaiah Abeyta (93 yards receiving), WR Jordan Lucas (84 yards receiving).
Predictions
Felix Chavez: A huge test for Franklin in its season opener against a very good Las Cruces Centennial team. Centennial 38, Franklin 35
Eastwood vs. Southlake Carroll
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Southlake Carroll High School
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last Week: No games
Top Players to Watch: Eastwood - WR/DB Curtis Murillo, RB/LB Jake Chenausky, QB Evan Minjarez, DL Noah Medina, WR Evan Macias; Southlake Carroll - RB Owen Allen, QB Kaden Anderson, TE Harrison Moore, DL Cade Parks.
Predictions
Felix Chavez: Eastwood doesn't back down from challenges against big teams. Southlake Carroll 45, Eastwood 24
Burges vs. Del Valle
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Del Valle High School
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last Week: No games
Top Players to Watch: Burges - OL Adam Rodriguez, DT Imer Carrillo, LB Andrew Armendariz, QB Andrew Routledge, WR Alec Herrera; Del Valle - QB Jesse Ramos, LB Dominic Calderon, WR Eli Molina, FS Raymond Riddick, WR Damian Diaz.
Predictions
Felix Chavez: Del Valle has another strong team and the Mustangs will be a factor in Class 5A Division II. Del Valle 38, Burges 21
Jefferson vs. Horizon
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Horizon High School
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last Week: No games
Top Players to Watch: Jefferson - RB/OLB Miguel Rubio, OL Alberto Rivera, LB Ruben Martinez, OL Justin Punzo, OL/DL Manny Dominguez; Horizon - QB Robert Rodriguez, RB/LB Fernie Villa, DE Jorge Jimenez, DB Christopher Munoz
Predictions
Felix Chavez: Should be a good matchup between 2021 playoff teams. Jefferson 34, Horizon 27
Clint vs. Wichita Falls Hirschi
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: Midland Greenwood High School
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last Week: No games
Top Players to Watch: Clint - RB/LB Kevin Quezada, DE Colin Ivey, RB Zachary Delgado, DE Alex Herrera, DL/OL Evan Barrios; Hirschi - A’Marion Peterson, WR Jamarion Carroll, OL AJ Valdez
Predictions
Felix Chavez: Clint faces a stern test against one of the state's top teams in Class 4A. Hirschi 34, Clint 21
Alpine vs. Mountain View
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Mountain View High School
Records: Season opener for both teams
Last Week: No games
Top Players to Watch: Mountain View - WR Hanzell Hernandez, WR Jonathan Galindo, RB Gilbert Gamboa, DB Jayden Avila, Erik Garcia; Alpine - OL/DL Rudy Cunningham, RB/LB Jordan Rodriguez, QB Trey Ervin
Predictions
Felix Chavez: Mountain View wins the head coaching debut for DJ Check. Mountain View 31, Alpine 21
Chaparral (N.M) vs. Fabens
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Fabens High School
Records: Season opener for Fabens; Chaparral lost Cobre (N.M.), 13-6
Last Week: No games
Top Players to Watch: Fabens - QB Eric Ortiz, WR/FS Ivan Urrutia, DL/OL Aaron Ortiz, WR/DB Nathan Gomez, RB/CB Isaac Urrutia
Predictions
Felix Chavez: Chaparral struggled on offense in opener. Fabens has a solid defense. Fabens 21, Chaparral 7
More: El Paso HS football rankings Where do El Paso's 32 high school football teams rank in the 2022-23 season?
Felix F. Chavez may be reached at 915-546-6167; fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso high school football opening week capsules and predictions
