Week 9 of the high school football season is here. Teams will play 10 regular-season games with one week off.
Here is a look at the games scheduled for this week: Thursday, Oct. 22 and Friday, Oct. 23. There are three more weeks left in the regular season.
This week, Montwood, Clint, and Riverside are idle.
Horizon (1-5) vs. Americas (2-5), 6:30 p.m. Thursday at SAC 2
Americas could easily have several more wins. The Trailblazers lost by two points to Andress, four points to El Dorado, five points to Del Valle and eight points to Canutillo. Quarterback Maurice looks to continue his solid season for Americas. Horizon will need to run the ball effectively and find a way to create turnovers to pull off the upset. Americas 49, Horizon 31.
El Dorado (4-2) vs. Bel Air (4-3), 7 p.m. Thursday at Bel Air HS
The Aztecs are the defending District 1-5A, Division 1 champs and have been
explosive on offense all season, led by QB Brycen Booth. Bel Air may be the most improved team in the city under first year coach Ariel Famaligi and with QB Angel Dominguez helping lead the way. El Dorado 45, Bel Air 35.
Franklin (3-4) vs. Eastlake (5-2), 7:30 p.m. Thursday at SAC 1
Eastlake ended a two-game slide with a hard-fought, three-point win vs. Coronado and showed improved play on defense. Franklin is showing improved play each week and is making lots of positive plays on defense. Eastlake 28, Franklin 21.
Socorro (2-4) vs. Eastwood (6-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Eastwood HS
The Troopers are hoping to finish strong and secure a home playoff game in the Class 6A playoffs. Socorro has come a long way under coach Edward Cano and has just missed winning two district games this season, losing by three to Coronado and eight to Montwood. Eastwood 45, Socorro 24.
Coronado (4-4) vs. Pebble Hills (6-1), 7 p.m. Friday at SAC 1
Pebble Hills has been steady all season with quality wins vs. Chapin, Eastwood, Eastlake and Midland High. Coronado has improved significantly and could easily have another win or two. A big game for both teams in the District 1-6A standings with just three games left in regular season. Pebble Hills 34, Coronado 24.
Ysleta (6-2) vs. San Elizario (4-3), 7 p.m. Friday at San Elizario HS
The Indians are still in place for a top two finish in District 1-4, Division The Indians continue to get solid play from QB Rodrigo Martionez and WR/DB AJ Guzman. San Elizario has won three more games than last season and needs a win vs. Ysleta to stay in the playoff picture. Ysleta 42, San Elizario 24.
Bowie (0-6) vs. Irvin (4-4), 7 p.m. Friday at Irvin HS
The Rockets have come up big in close wins vs. Fabens and Mountain View to begin play in District 1-4A, Division 2. Bowie nearly won its first game last week against Clint before losing 13-7 and is showing signs of improvement. Irvin 30, Bowie 14.
Fabens (2-6) vs. Mountain View (2-5), 7 p.m. Friday at Mountain View HS
This is an important game for seeding purposes in District 1-4A, Division 2. Both Fabens and Mountain View gave district leader Irvin a tough game. Fabens lost, 35-28; Mountain View lost, 27-22. The strength of the Lobos is their offense and Fabens will rely on a tough defense. Mountain View 33, Fabens 28.
Del Valle (4-3) vs. Burges (2-5), 7 p.m. Friday at Burges HS
The Conquistadores are still in play for a top-two finish in District 1-5A, Division 2, and this game is huge. Junior QB Eric Hernandez has been clutch for Del Valle all season long. Burges is still looking for more consistency, but it has given opponents fits this season with a strong run game and good special teams. Del Valle 35, Burges 21.
Chapin (3-3) vs. Canutillo (6-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Canutillo HS
This game will have a huge bearing on the District 1-5A, Division 2 standings. A Canutillo win would solidify the Eagles as a District 1-5A, Division 2 champion. A Chapin win could lead to multiple district champs. Canutillo 27, Chapin 20.
Andress (7-0) vs. Austin (7-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Austin HS
The Eagles are state-ranked at No. 6 and playing at a high level on offense and scored 70 in a win vs. Riverside. The Panthers suffered their first loss of the year to Ysleta. 34-28 last week, but a strong run game could keep them in the game vs. the Eagles. Andress 42, Austin 28.
Jefferson (2-4) vs. El Paso High (6-1), 7 p.m. Friday at El Paso High HS
Both teams have shown flashes of being solid this year. Jefferson's Davion Arnette is a standout at quarterback and middle linebacker and El Paso High is led by running back Ledger Merritt. Whichever team is more consistent on defense gets the win. El Paso High 27, Jefferson 20.
Cathedral (5-1) vs. Dallas Covenant (5-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Covenant HS
Cathedral is in the midst of a strong season and looks for its second straight road win. Cathedral 24, Covenant 17.
Anthony (2-5) vs. San Angelo Grape Creek (0-7), 7 p.m. Friday at San Angelo Grape Creek HS
The Wildcats have shown improvement this year in Class 3A and have a real chance in their Class 3A road game if they can take the ball and capitalize on scoring chances. Anthony 34, San Angelo Grape Creek 20.
Parkland (1-5) vs. Hanks (4-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Hanks HS
The Knights rebounded nicely with a win vs. Horizon after a 50-49 loss to Americas. The Knights are still in the hunt for a top-two finish in District 1-5A, Division 1 and are led by QB Jordan Morales and RB Austin Deucher. Parkland is much improved on offense and could spring an upset if the Knights aren't ready. Hanks 49, Parkland 38.
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Week 9 El Paso high school football picks: Felix predicts every game
