By Angel Pedroza, Sports Editor

With another game on the road, the El Dorado Aztecs traveled to Midland, Texas to face off against the Midland Rebels on Friday night, looking to repeat last week’s victory against the Frenship Tigers. The Aztecs were beat by the Rebels 48-34, putting them at 1-2 (district 0-0).

With an evenly matched defensive battle, they ended their first quarter 7-7, with the only touchdown coming from a run by quarterback Cedarious Barfield. However, the Rebels in the second quarter exploded on all cylinders, catching the Aztecs off balance and leading at the end of the first half 38-14. During the first half, Barfield had the crowd quiet on a run play that he was slow to get up on.

“My foot got twisted up in the play, but I should be alright for future play,” Barfield said on how the injury came to be and assurance for the future. “This is a learning process, but the team and I should be ready for district games.”

The third quarter showed the Aztecs looking to get back in the game and keep up, but the persistent Rebels came back with an attack, ending the third 48-29. The Aztecs didn’t put their heads down as they had a explosive quarter of their own, but still came up short ending the fourth and the game with a final of 48-34.

“Hopefully we come back healthy and clean up mistakes we made in this game for the next,” head coach Ruben Torres said when asked what will change for the first district game against Eastwood High School. “They get better each week and I’m so proud of this team and El Paso should be proud too.”

The Aztecs will have a bye week before they face an away game against Eastwood High School on Friday, Sept. 29 to try and bounce back with their first district win.