Tom Work Field at Riverfront Stadium and its fans were treated to a big crowd, and the Ranger fans saw some of the most points scored in a while as well.
Angel “Speedy” Muñoz got the scoring started at the 7:35 mark of the 1st quarter in a 9 yard run, and with Jonathan Reyes’ extra point, Riverside led 7-0.
Yet, just over 5 minutes later, Gerry Chairez and El Paso High marched down the field and capped it off with a 10 yard run of his own. The extra point was missed, so the Rangers led, 7-6. On the following Riverside possession, Jose Guardado caught a 2 yard pass from Muñoz, and an extra point from Reyes, the score was 14-6, going into the 2nd.
Unfortunately, the Tigers first possession of the 2nd quarter was not successful, so the Rangers capitalized with a 33 yard strike from Muñoz to Francisco Luna. Reyes tacked on the point after, making the score 21-6. The Tigers calmly took the ball on their next drive and got into the end zone on a 7 yard run by Pedro Chavez. The Tigers tried to covert on a run for 2, but failed, so the score read 21-12, but not to be outdone, the Rangers got into the painted grass on a 4 yard run by Guardado, and with the Reyes conversion, Riverside took a 28-12 lead into the locker room at the half.
However, the Jose Guardado show was only beginning at that point as he reeled off with three runs in the 3rd quarter for 74, 37, and 27, for touchdowns, and by the end of the 3rd quarter, Riverside had a commanding lead, 49-12.
When Coach Gary Recoder was asked what adjustments were made at halftime to suddenly break things open after El Paso High somewhat kept up for a half? He replied, “I am glad the way the fellas competed tonight. Tonight was about the next man up and that is exactly what happened. We have a long way to go but we are headed in the right direction.”
The Rangers got 2 more in the end zone on a 27 yard pass from Adrian Estrada to Diego Cardenas, and a 40 run by Christopher Carrillo with Reyes adding one (who was 9 for 9 on his extra point kicks), that rounded out the scoring, and the final score was Riverside 63, El Paso High 12.
Next week, El Paso High travels to Clint, while Riverside stays home to face Cathedral on Tom Work Field at Riverfront Stadium.
Paul Torres Reporting