Editor’s Note: The El Paso Times continues its high school football countdown with No. 27 Horizon. Horizon competes in Class 5A, Division II. Practice begins Aug. 12 for the Scorpions and the first game is scheduled for Aug. 30.
Outlook for 2024 season
The Scorpions have a new head coach in Omar Garcia, who has been a successful assistant coach at Hanks and Montwood and head baseball coach at Hanks. Garcia has instilled confidence in the program and while the Scorpions compete in a tough district, Garcia believes his team can make progress this season after a solid spring.
A look back at 2023
The Scorpions went 1-9 with a win vs. Jefferson and were competitive in losses to Bowie, Andress and Hanks.
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How defense shapes up
The Scorpions should be strong at linebacker with Ruben Terrones and Israel Duarte leading the charge. Terrones was a big-time playmaker for the team last year. The defensive line will be led by Chris Gutierrez.
How offense shapes up
Horizon has some quality playmakers and linemen. Big things are expected from quarterback Julian Williams, wide receiver Jacob Olivo and tight end Sergio Santana at the skill positions and Nathan Davila and Joshua Rodriguez on the offensive line. Rodriguez will be a three-year starter and Davila will be a two-year starter.
What coach Omar Garcia is saying
“Santana has some of the best ball skills I’ve seen as a coach, and Olivo has great speed on offense,” Garcia said “Williams has progressed well throughout the spring and has a ton of potential to be dynamic for us.”
What players Ruben Terrones and Julian Williams are saying
“We’re looking forward to the season and we did some good things in spring practice that we can build on,” Terrones said. “We still have to get better at many things, but we are working hard and we’re growing as a team.”
Added Williams: “I’m learning so much with coach Garcia and our staff. We showed improvement as an offense in the spring. I’m looking forward to seeing our hard work pay off.”
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Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Texas high school football: Strong skill players lead way for Horizon
