The matchup between the visiting Ysleta Indians and the Parkland Matadors would mark the opening of district play for both schools. The Indians have had a rough but competitive start to the season while the Matadors have been able to have a good start in theirs.
Parkland came into the game riding a six game win streak over their Lower Valley rivals and were looking to extend it.
The Indians would be three and out in their opening possession and would punt to their opponent. This would a theme throughout the game as their offense struggled to get going. Parkland set the tone on their first offensive play when Isaiah Beasley ran for a 48yd td to put up Parkland 7-0, with the point after, with 10:02 in the 1st qt. Miguel Chavarría would add to the lead on a 11yd td run and PA to 14-0 with 6:57 to go.
Parklands defense would get the ball back on an interception and would go to the air on their next score. Chavarría would find DJ Crest in the end zone on a 16yd pass. The extra point was no good and put up the Matadors 20-0 with 4:06 to go in the 1st qt.
The second quarter would find the Ysleta defense holding the Matadors to a field goal with 10:32 to go in the second quarter. Another possession later would find Chavarría connecting with his other receiver for a touchdown. Tysheem Dawson would be on the receiving end of the 15yd corner touchdown and open the lead to 30-0 with 7:38 to go in the half.
After a change at quarterback for Ysleta, David Avalos would find man he came in for Evan Martinez on a 75yd td pass, the games longest score, to put the Indians on the scoreboard. The the extra point good, the Matadors led 30-7 with 6:47 to go.
In the closing seconds of the half, Chavarría would run in for his second touchdown of the game. Parkland would lead 37-7 at the half.
Beasley would once again find the end zone at the 6:59 mark of the third quarter and put his team up 43-7. Parkland would show some trickery on special teams and would score a touchdown on a fake field goal. Parkland would lead 50-7 with 3:18 in the third.
The games final points would be scored on a 9yd touchdown run by Dante Reed early in the fourth quarter. The Matadors would go on to win 57-7 and extend their win streak to seven games over their rival. The 50 point victory would match the 1965 game between both schools as the largest margin of victory when the Indians defeated Parkland 50-0.
The Indians will face the Highlanders at Bel Air next Friday while the Matadors host the Conquistadors.
Story by Henry Reyna