RIVERSIDE RALLIES IN A THRILLER: RANGERS EDGE CHAPIN 44-43

By PREP1 Sports | September 11, 2026 Some football games are remembered because of the margin of victory. Others are remembered because there was almost no margin at all. Friday night at Riverside was the latter. The Riverside Rangers survived the Chapin Huskies 44-43 in one of the wildest games of the Borderland's Week 3 schedule, turning in their second consecutive victory and improving to 2-1 on the season. Chapin dropped to 1-2 after the one-point heartbreaker. For four quarters, the two El Paso programs traded punches in a game that produced 87 points and kept the outcome in doubt until the very end. A SHOOTOUT FROM START TO FINISH Riverside entered the night coming off a 67-28 victory over Irvin, while Chapin was looking to rebound from a 35-14 loss to Pebble Hills. Neither team showed much interest in slowing down. Chapin's offense produced 271 passing yards and 102 rushing yards, giving the Huskies a balanced attack that generated plenty of opportunities throughout the night. But Riverside continued its offensive surge. The Rangers have now scored 152 points through their first three games, including 67 against Irvin and 44 against Chapin. Riverside's only loss came in a narrow 44-41 season-opening decision against Parkland. That means the Rangers have already played three games decided by a combined 12 points — a testament to just how competitive their start has been. RANGERS FIND A WAY Friday's victory moved Riverside to 2-1 and gave the Rangers back-to-back wins. For Chapin, the Huskies now find themselves at 1-2 despite scoring 96 points in their first three games. The Huskies opened the year with a 39-14 win over Franklin before falling to Pebble Hills and Riverside. That's what makes Friday's result sting. Chapin wasn't blown out. The Huskies weren't out of the game. They simply found themselves on the wrong side of a one-point finish. And in a game this close, one play — one stop, one conversion, one inch — can become the difference between celebrating and walking off the field wondering what might have been. WHAT'S NEXT There isn't much time for either team to dwell on Friday night. Chapin travels to Andress on Sept. 18 for a 7 p.m. matchup, while Riverside travels to Bowie on Sept. 17 for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff. For Riverside, the challenge is to carry the momentum of two straight wins into the next chapter. For Chapin, it's about responding. Because after a 44-43 game, there is no shortage of motivation. One point separated the Rangers and Huskies Friday night. That's about as close as high school football gets. PHOTO: Sammy Espinoza | @SJEPhotography | PREP1 Network