Lee spent Friday night trying to climb out of holes created by turnovers, fourth-down breakdowns and Eastlake’s explosive passing game.

The Rebels nearly made it all the way back. Lee scored the game’s final 15 points and intercepted an Eastlake pass on the last play, but defensive back Tyler Day lost the ball near midfield during the return as time expired. Eastlake escaped with a 51-48 victory Sept. 11 at Socorro ISD Student Activities Complex 2. Lee fell to 2-1.

Eastlake’s passing game punished every early mistake​

Eastlake quarterback Julian Williams recovered a bad snap on the Falcons’ first offensive play and found receiver Diego Diharce for a 77-yard touchdown. Lee then lost the opening kickoff return and fumbled again on its second offensive possession. The Falcons turned the early sequence into a 10-0 advantage. Sophomore quarterback Santiago Mendoza answered with a 10-yard touchdown run, but Williams threw subsequent touchdown passes to Rene Ruiseco and Diharce as Eastlake moved ahead 23-10.

Day supplied Lee’s first major momentum swing by blocking the extra-point attempt after Diharce’s second touchdown and returning it 81 yards for two points. Senior quarterback JP Reyes then connected with Ryder Roberts for a 30-yard touchdown, pulling Lee within 23-20. Williams answered with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Christian Wegmann with 25 seconds left before halftime, sending Eastlake to the locker room ahead 30-20. The players and their positions were checked against both teams’ current varsity rosters.

The Rebels kept answering, but Eastlake stayed one score ahead​

Eastlake extended its lead to 37-20 in the third quarter before Reyes hit receiver/defensive back Maddox Marquez for a 45-yard touchdown. Running back Hayes Hamm scored from 5 yards early in the fourth, but Williams’ third touchdown connection with Diharce pushed the Falcons’ lead to 51-33 with nine minutes remaining. Hamm’s second touchdown, a 3-yard run, helped cut the deficit to 51-41. Reyes then found wide receiver Ja’Braylen Anders for a 10-yard touchdown with 1:49 left.

Reyes finished with three verified touchdown passes, Hamm scored twice on the ground and Day contributed the blocked-kick return and last-play interception. Eastlake’s ability to convert fourth downs and generate six touchdown passes ultimately outweighed Lee’s late surge.

WHAT TO WATCH​

Lee’s response after surrendering 51 points will matter as the schedule tightens. Ball security also demands attention after the two early giveaways forced the Rebels to chase the game almost from the opening snap.

GAME INFORMATION / NEXT UP​

Final: Eastlake 51, Lee 48
Date: Friday, Sept. 11, 2026
Location: Socorro ISD Student Activities Complex 2, El Paso
Lee record: 2-1

Next: Liberty Hill at Lee
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18
Location: Astound Broadband Stadium, Midland