Excalibur Stadium was the setting for the 25th meeting between the visiting Ysleta Indians and the Hanks Knights. Both teams were coming into the game with consecutive loses and were looking to get back in the win column. The matchup was also the start of district play for both schools.
The Knights were on the receiving end of the opening kickoff but turned the ball over on a fumble. The Indians weren’t able to capitalize on the missed opportunity and found themselves going back and forth with the Knights as both teams were trying to establish momentum offensively. Damian Contreras put Ysleta on the board late in the first quarter with a 3yd run, putting his team up 7-0.
Hanks offensive struggled to move the ball deep into Ysleta territory, but their defense kept them at striking distance throughout the first half. The Indians would score again on a 49yd td reception from Contreras to Gavin Espino to put them up 14-0.
With Ysleta looking to score once more with less than a minute to play in the half, the Hanks secondary intercepted Contreras in the end zone. The Knights went into halftime down 14-0.
Ysleta further expanded their lead on a 25yd td pass from Contreras to Evan Martinez to put them up 21-0. With the Indians offense finding their rhythm, Tommy Ringo found the end zone on a 37yd td run to put Ysleta up 28-0 midway thru the third quarter.
Ringo would get his second rushing touchdown of the game on a 11yd run early in the fourth quarter. The Hanks offense were able to close out a drive on a 36 yard touchdown pass from Veda Gay to put the Knights on the board.
Ysleta answered back with a 4 yard quarterback keeper by Contreras, his second of the game. Gay would close out the games final touchdown with a 34 yard touchdown pass. The final score was 42-14.
Ysleta hosts Canutillo next week while Hanks has a bye week.
Henry Reyna Reporting