The match up between two of the oldest high schools in the city took place on a perfect evening for football. The 58th meeting between the visiting Ysleta Indians and the El Paso Tigers will go down as one of the most exciting games between these two historic institutions.
With Ysleta heading into the night leading the all time series 35-19-3 and seven game win streak against El Paso, the Tigers, who were coming off a double overtime victory over Irvin, were looking to snap the streak on homecoming night at R.R. Jones Stadium.
El Paso found themselves on the board first with a touchdown on the opening play of the game. Gerry Chairez completed a 65yd td pass to a wide open Christian Carrillo to put the Tigers up 7-0.
Ysleta would try to respond with a touchdown of their own but the Tigers defense stepped up and intercepted a potential touchdown. The Indians would score on their next possession when Damian Contreras found Andres Martinez for a 49yd td pass.
Shortly before the end of the opening quarter, Gabe Arreola would have the games longest touchdown with a 80yd td reception from Chairez to regain the lead for the Tigers 14-7.
Ysleta would score first in the second quarter with a 15yd td run by Arath Gomez to tie things up 14-14. Both teams would exchange possessions that wouldn’t bare fruit for either team until the Indians broke the tie with a 26yd td pass from Contreras to Jason Martinez. Ysleta would go into halftime leading 21-14.
After an exchange of possessions which included an interception by the Tigers defense, Ysleta would expand their lead to 28-14 midway thru the third quarter with a 7yd td run by Contreras.
The El Paso special teams would cut into the Indians lead with a blocked punt attempt that resulted in a touchdown to narrow the lead 28-21 to close out the quarter.
Just as he did to open up the first quarter of the game, Chairez opened up the final quarter of the game with a 39yd td pass to Arreola for the second time in the game, tying the game up 28-28.
The Tigers would go on to regain the lead early in the fourth quarter with a 1yd td run by Chairez putting them up 35-28. Ysleta would march down the field into the Tigers red zone but a potential game tying, fourth down touchdown was ruled out of bounds and gave the ball back to the Tigers late in the fourth.
El Paso would go down to the goal line but after a series of penalties against the offense, the Tigers would settle for a 16yd field goal by Mateo Ocarranza. Ysleta would score the games final points on a 57yd td pass from Contreras to Devon Hernandez, to put them down by three points.
The Indians were looking to get the ball back on an attempt onside kick which was successfully covered by the Tigers to secure the homecoming win. The final score was 38-35.
Ysleta visits Hanks next week and El Paso travels to Jefferson.
Henry Reyna Reporting