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| District 2-4A Preview |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
In District 2-4A, the Riverside Rangers should be the consensus favorite to win the district title yet again. Afterall, they do bring back El Paso's top rusher in Johnny Sanchez and eleven other starters on both sides of the ball. But a team that went just as far in the playoffs as the Rangers, could have something to say about that this season. Del Valle brings back a very solid line that should see benefits for their offense. On the outside looking in at the district title chase could be either Parkland or Canutillo waiting in the wings. The 2-4A race could have some very interesting fireworks at the end of the day.
One thing that will separate the Riverside Rangers from the Chapin Huskies in the hunt to be El Paso's top dog, is the Rangers' superior depth talent wise and chemistry. With Sanchez back as the star running back, an in his junior season, the Rangers will have an opportunity to make Sanchez a solid playmaker and leader on and off the field. With Andy Gabaldon also back as the team's star wide out, the Ranger offense could be more dangerous than it was last season. Defensively, Leo Baca, Israel Hall and Angel Reyes lead a defensive front that is talented with solid size and depth. Out of the backfield, look for Joey Sifuentes, who is quick and has the ability to come up big.
Del Valle has plenty of tools that will match up with the Riverside Rangers head to head in the district race. The Conquistadors will be looking to bring in the talented Mark Muzio at the quarterback on top an experienced and solid sized offensive line and two key juniors in the skill positions. WIth his size and abilty block, Max Savedra could potentially become one of the big sleepers in the offense this season and next year in the recruiting scene. The key leaders on the defensive side of the ball Martin Medina at defensive end and Victor Duarte at linebacker. Like that of Savedra, Duarte is a junior that has plenty of collegiate potential. If Duarte and Savedra can help the Conquistadors as a unit and become leaders, Del Valle could have something special the next two years. But for now, the task at hand is getting this squad in the playoffs and giving Riverside a decent challenge.
Parkland and Canutillo are expected to be the two teams looking to battle for the third and final playoff spot. Both teams will be looking to replace talent in critical areas of the field and both have the talent to compete and give both Riverside and Del Valle a good fight at the top. Canutillo, if they can give OL Mark Gaither, some help up front, could have a sleeper in the making as RB Brandon Reid returns for his senior season. Reid, who recorded just over 900 yards on the ground last season, should see bigger numbers this season. On the defensive side for the Eagles, DB Fernie DeLaRosa and DL Marcos Maldonado will be the key workhorses with LB Elias Gutierrez stepping as the leader.
Speaking of defensive gems, the Parkland Matadors have one of their own with LB Zetty Light. Light returns not only as the key leader of the Matador defense, he returns as one of the top defensive players in the El Paso area. Light collected over 100 tackles and should have a lot more this season. Joining Light on the defense will be DB Tony Frazier. Offensively the Matadors bring back more than half their starters including RB Joe Cole and Frazier at wide receiver. If the Matadors can find replacements on the lines and at quarterback, then this squad should have no problems getting into playoff contention and possibly going a couple rounds in.
The Ysleta Indians have a new coach and should be much improved with a good skill set on offense. WR Miguel Ortiz, who is a solid playmaker, returns after reeling in nearly 600 receiving yards. But the strength of the Indians will be along the trenches of both sides. With size and depth on both sides, the rest of the pieces should fall directly into place with timely adjustments. If new head coach Tod Clark can help develope the skill players. this group could be one of the big surprises in the region.
Looking to play spoiler is not always the fun part, but for teams such as Clint Horizon, Mountain View and San Elizario, improvement on both sides should put them in a spoiler role that may add even more excitement. All three teams have solid rushers ready to make a splash and play ball control in their best way. |
| Key Players & Team Information |
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1961.5 |
8-4 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Mark Muzio |
6'2 |
195 |
4.8 |
Sr |
OL |
Ruben Escarsega |
6'3 |
170 |
5.6 |
Sr |
OL |
Johnny Hernandez |
6'0 |
245 |
5.1 |
Sr |
TE |
Max Savedra |
6'6 |
240 |
5.2 |
Jr |
FB |
Julian Johnson |
6'1 |
205 |
5.0 |
Jr |
WR |
Vince Santana |
5'9 |
170 |
4.6 |
Jr |
DE |
Martin Medina |
6'2 |
225 |
5.2 |
Sr |
LB |
Victor Duarte |
6'1 |
205 |
4.7 |
Jr |
K |
Jorge Aguilar |
6'1 |
170 |
4.7 |
Sr |
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1949 |
2-8 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
WR |
Miguel Ortiz |
5'11 |
165 |
4.5 |
Sr |
OL |
Memo Pallares |
5'11 |
245 |
-- |
Sr |
DL |
Hector DeLaCanal |
6'3 |
303 |
-- |
Sr |
DL |
Andy Chavez |
6'2 |
300 |
-- |
Jr |
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|
 |
1517 |
11-1 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
DL |
Leo Baca |
6'2 |
240 |
4.9 |
Sr |
RB/KR |
Johnny Sanchez |
5'10 |
175 |
4.5 |
Jr |
OL |
Matt Lomeli |
6'3 |
320 |
5.7 |
Sr |
QB |
Aaron Gutierrez |
5'9 |
165 |
4.6 |
Jr |
WR |
Andy Gabaldon |
5'10 |
180 |
4.8 |
Jr |
DL |
Angel Reyes |
6'4 |
320 |
5.8 |
Sr |
DB/KR |
Joey Sifuentes |
6'0 |
180 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DL |
Israel Hall |
6'1 |
210 |
4.7 |
Sr |
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|
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1337 |
7-4 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB |
Brandon Reid |
6'1 |
200 |
4.5 |
Sr |
QB |
Drew Norris |
5'11 |
170 |
4.6 |
Jr |
DB |
Fernie DeLaRosa |
5'10 |
165 |
4.5 |
Sr |
LB |
Elias Gutierrez |
5'10 |
190 |
4.7 |
Sr |
DL |
Marcos Maldonado |
6'1 |
235 |
5.2 |
Sr |
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1234.5 |
8-3 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
LB |
Zetty Light |
5'11 |
215 |
4.7 |
Sr |
RB |
Joe Cole |
5'10 |
170 |
4.5 |
Sr |
WR/DB |
Tony Frazier |
5'10 |
175 |
4.5 |
Sr |
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 |
1024 |
2-8 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB |
Israel Delgado |
5'8 |
170 |
4.5 |
Sr |
QB |
Frank Baquera |
5'10 |
180 |
4.6 |
Sr |
LB |
Hector Mendez |
6'0 |
185 |
4.6 |
Sr |
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|
 |
1023 |
4-6 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
OL |
Luis Martinez |
6'3 |
260 |
5.1 |
Sr |
WR |
Manny Campa |
5'9 |
145 |
4.6 |
Jr |
RB |
Larry Arellano |
5'9 |
165 |
4.5 |
Sr |
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|
 |
990 |
0-10 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB |
Justin Vargas |
5'9 |
175 |
-- |
Sr |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
EP Riverside |
2 |
EP Del Valle |
3 |
EP Parkland |
4 |
Canutillo |
5 |
EP Ysleta |
6 |
Clint Horizon |
7 |
Clint Mountain View |
8 |
San Elizario |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Canutillo |
District MVP |
Johnny Sanchez
EP Riverside |
Offensive MVP |
Mark Muzio
EP Del Valle |
Defensive MVP |
Zetty Light
EP Parkland |
Diamond In The Rough |
Brandon Reid
Canutillo |
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| 2005 Records |
| EP Del Valle |
8-4 |
| EP Ysleta |
2-8 |
| EP Riverside |
11-1 |
| Canutillo |
7-4 |
| EP Parkland |
8-3 |
| Clint Horizon |
2-8 |
| Mountain View |
4-6 |
| San Elizario |
0-10 |
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| Recruiting Key |
| THSF Top 200 Player |
| Top '07 Prospect |
| Top '08 Prospect |
| Top '09 Prospect |
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