Editor’s Note: The El Paso Times continues its 2026 high school football countdown with No. 17 Riverside. Practice began Aug. 3 for teams that did not have spring practice and began on Aug. 10 for teams that did have spring practice. The opening weekend for games is Aug. 27-28.
Outlook for 2026 season
The Rangers enter the season looking for their seventh straight winning season and the Rangers certainly have offensive firepower to make that happen.
Riverside scored at least 30 points in nine of its 11 games in 2025 and don’t be surprised to see that again this season. If Riverside wants to win the District 1-4A, Division 1 title, more consistency will be needed against quality teams such as Austin, Andress and Ysleta.
A look back at 2025
The Rangers were solid with an 8-3 record and lost to Dumas in the bidistrict round of the Class 4A playoffs. The Rangers had wins vs. Big Spring, Clint, Irvin, Bowie, San Elizario, Mountain View, Austin and Fabens.
How the offense shapes up
Quarterback Carlos Rojas III will help power the offense. The UTEP commit passed for 1,516 yards and rushed for 2,279 yards in 2025.
Receivers Izzy Garcia and Gabriel Garcia (no relation) will be top targets for Rojas, while Derek Armendariz and Malosi Misioka will help lead the running back core.
How the defense shapes up
Misioka will anchor the defensive line alongside Servando Avitia. Izzy Garcia and Gabriel Garcia, along with Rojas III will give the Rangers playmakers in the defensive backfield.
What Riverside coach Daniel Chavez says
“We have a strong group of returnees coming back,” Chavez said. “We have a lot of playmakers. Carlos is a special talent and he is a great teammate.”
What Riverside player Carlos Rojas III, Servando Avitia, Izzy Garcia said
“I want to finish my high school career with my teammates on a high note and we’re going to give our best effort,” Rojas III said. “I just want to keep getting better everyday.”
Added Garcia: “We put in hard work in the offseason and we believe in each other.”
Added Avitia: “We’re working hard. We have lots of tradition. Winning is what we are supposed to do.”
Riverside’s 2026 schedule
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UTEP commit Carlos Rojas III fuels No. 17 Riverside’s title hopes
Reporting by Felix F. Chavez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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By Felix F. Chavez, El Paso Times | USA TODAY Network
