2023 West Texas Team Preview: El Paso Americas
In this article:
El Paso Americas 2023 Preview Head Coach: Noe Robles Mascot: Trail Blazers Twitter: @Coach_NoeRobles; @AHS_BlazerFB Colors: Red, Gold and Blue 2022 Record: 5-5 (5th In District) Overview: Soon after Americas finished fifth in its district and failed to make…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingEl Paso Americas 2023 Preview
Head Coach: Noe Robles
Mascot: Trail Blazers
Twitter: @Coach_NoeRobles; @AHS_BlazerFB
Colors: Red, Gold and Blue
2022 Record: 5-5 (5th In District)
Overview: Soon after Americas finished fifth in its district and failed to make the 6A playoffs, the Trail Blazers and long-time head coach Patrick Melton parted ways. Former Eastlake defensive coordinator Noe Robles was hired in January as the new AHS head coach. Fortunately, Robles has a dynamic and highly productive dual threat quarterback in 6-foot-2, 205-pound senior Mark Moore III Mark Moore III 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB El Paso Americas | 2024 State TX , who threw for 1,282 yards, rushed for a team-high 1,016 yards and accounted for 17 touchdowns as a junior in 2022. He possesses a strong throwing arm, plenty of speed and physical toughness.
Senior running back Brian Promesse shared the ball-carrying load with Moore in 2022, rushing 85 times for 638 yards and 3 TD. Together, Promesse and Moore combined for 1,654 rushing yards last season and should again be the top two rushers for Americas. Promesse has enjoyed a sensational offseason and the Trail Blazers believe he will continue to open eyes. Sophomore (2026) Cam’ron Johnson will be the No. 2 running back and is expected to contribute heavily to Americas’ ground game this season.
The Trail Blazers ran the ball about 60 percent of the time last season, but with a talented receiving corps coming back, that run-pass ratio could inch closer to 50-50. It all depends on the defensive looks as the Trail Blazers will gladly take what the defensive gives them. After finishing with a team high 52 receptions for 825 yards and 6 TD in 2022, senior WR Anthony Miranda will again be the top target in the passing game.
Pound-for-pound, Miranda might be Americas’ best player. He also plays safety on defense. Senior Omarion Dumas returns as well after catching 20 passes last fall. Beyond Miranda and Dumas, Americas will be looking for some new receivers to step up in 2023. Junior Abdiel Rincon is a speedy slot receiver. His production should increase dramatically over last season.
Americas must rebuild the offensive line and hopes some young blockers are ready for the Friday Night Lights. Senior Josiah Morales is the lone returning starter. Promising sophomore Omar Velez should earn a starting job. Junior Gabriel Salcido is the center.
Defensively, Americas will switch to a 3-4 base scheme after years of utilizing the 4-3. They will mix in a 4-2-5 as well. Senior DE Timothy Galloway anchors the defensive line after leading the Trail Blazers in tackles for loss (13.0) and sacks (11.0) with 5 QB hurries in 2022. Galloway is a playmaker. The nose tackle will be junior Stephen Gutierrez, who had 51 tackles and 3 sacks last season. The linebacker corps will be spearheaded by junior Marco Vazquez (switching from DE to LB), senior SaDante Gomez-Scott (team-leading 118 tackles in 2022) and senior Matthew Lugo (40 tackles in 6 games last season). They should flourish in Americas’ new system.
In the secondary, safeties Mario Holguin and Alex Ortiz are returning starters. Andres Hernandez returns at cornerback. Miranda and Dumas will play DB as well but will likely focus most of their energy on the offensive side of the ball. Felipe Aguilar aims to earn a starting job.
Schedule: Americas opens the season in New Mexico against Las Cruces at Field of Dreams before playing three of the next four games at home. The district, as always, presents a major challenge.
Aug. 24 at Las Cruces (NM)(Thur.)
Aug. 31 ODESSA (Thur.)
Sept. 8 MONTWOOD*
Sept. 15 at Franklin*
Sept. 22 EASTLAKE*
Sept. 29 at Pebble Hills*
Oct. 6 EASTWOOD*
Oct. 12 at El Dorado* (Thur.)
Oct. 20 CORONADO*
Oct. 27 Bye
Nov. 3 at Socorro*
* District Game
Coach’s Comments: “Coming over from Eastlake, Americas was always a dangerous tough, physical team that ran the ball down people’s throats. But for whatever reason, we’ve come up short the last three years. We’re still building the relationships. Not having a coach for a few months took a toll on the kids. It’s coming along nicely. It’s not where we want it to be, but the kids are working hard. The first thing I did when I got here was meet with the players by classification and then individually. I shared my vision. Eventually, the kids started seeing it was different, but it’s a good different. The kids are smiling a lot more. . .I can’t say enough good things about Mark Moore, not just as a football player but his character, his persona and his hard work. He makes all the throws we’re asking him to make. We’re blessed to have him at the quarterback position.” – El Paso Americas head coach Noe Robles.