RIVERSIDE WINS THE BATTLE OF TEXAS 20: RANGERS OUTGUN YSLETA IN 56-40 DISTRICT SHOOTOUT

PREP1 SPORTS | Friday, October 9, 2026 Tom Work Riverfront Stadium | Riverside High School — El Paso, Texas The Battle of Texas 20 delivered fireworks Friday night—and the Riverside Rangers came out swinging. In a District 1-4A Division I opener between two rivals with plenty of history, Riverside defeated the Ysleta Indians 56-40 at R.O.M. Work Riverfront Stadium, turning a highly anticipated matchup into an offensive showcase. For the Rangers, this was more than another win. It was a chance to reclaim bragging rights after Ysleta defeated Riverside 61-50 last season to capture the district title. Riverside answered with a statement of its own. The Rangers improved to 6-1 overall and 1-0 in district play, extending their winning streak to six games. Ysleta fell to 5-2 overall and 0-1 in district. ROJAS PUTS ON A SHOW When Riverside needed a play, quarterback Carlos Rojas III delivered. The UTEP commit turned in a spectacular all-around performance, rushing for 230 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries, while completing 7 of 13 passes for 154 yards and four touchdowns. That added up to 384 total yards and six touchdowns accounted for—a performance that kept the Ysleta defense searching for answers all night. Rojas wasn't doing it alone. Running back Derek Armendariz powered through the Indians' defense for 173 rushing yards on 23 carries, giving Riverside another major weapon on the ground. Through the air, Gabriel Garcia made his opportunities count, hauling in two passes for touchdowns of 55 and 52 yards. The Rangers' offensive line helped set the tone, opening running lanes and giving the offense the foundation to produce one of its biggest performances of the season. YSLETA REFUSES TO BACK DOWN The Indians brought their own firepower to the rivalry, turning the contest into a back-and-forth battle that featured explosive plays on both sides. Quarterback Rodrigo Martinez completed 19 of 38 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Daniel Torres added 145 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries. Ysleta kept pace through much of the first half, and the teams were tied 21-21 before Riverside scored late in the half to regain the lead. The Rangers then opened the second half with a momentum-changing play: Matthew Martinez returned the kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, pushing Riverside's advantage to 35-21. From there, Riverside continued answering the Indians' scoring drives. The Rangers also blocked two extra-point attempts, creating just enough separation to keep Ysleta from completing another comeback. A RIVALRY GAME THAT LIVED UP TO ITS NAME The numbers tell the story of an extraordinary night of football. Riverside: 56 points, 555 yards of offense Ysleta: 40 points, 456 yards of offense Combined: 96 points and 1,011 yards of offense Correction to that final combined yardage figure: the reported team totals add up to 1,011 yards, while the El Paso Times report lists 1,111. The published individual totals and team totals appear inconsistent, so the exact combined yardage should be treated cautiously. What isn't in question is the result. Riverside won the Battle of Texas 20, avenged last season's district-title loss and opened district play with a victory that sends a message to the rest of the league. WHAT'S NEXT? The Rangers now prepare for another major challenge when they travel to face Andress on Friday, October 16. Ysleta returns home that same night to host Austin, looking to rebound from its district-opening defeat. Friday night belonged to Riverside. Rojas delivered a spectacular performance. Armendariz powered the ground game. Garcia struck for explosive touchdowns. And the Rangers found a way to answer every challenge the Indians presented. Riverside 56. Ysleta 40. The Battle of Texas 20 belongs to the Rangers. 📸 Glibert Medina @KickAshPhoto PREP1 Network | Covering All Our Athletes.