Community Champions: West Texas Lions football team

The West Texas Lions are looking to create a new football tradition in the Borderland.

The semi-pro team is in its second season competing in the Minor Professional Football League or MPFL.

Already, they’ve made it to the Western Conference Championship twice.

The Lions get a chance to meet the West Texas Pride from Midland on Saturday at 6 p.m. with a spot in the league championship game on the line. That game will be held at the Field of Dreams in Las Cruces. The Lions hope fans from El Paso will make the trip.

“It would do a lot because, you know, when people hear about El Paso, they don’t think football. So, one thing we’re trying to do is let everybody know that football does exist in El Paso,” said Chris Burns, a wide receiver for the team.

The Lions are co-owned by a pair of siblings – Stephanie and Jesse Rose. They say their goal is to establish a team that can one day become an El Paso staple.

“I wanted to create a true developmental football team in El Paso,” said Jesse Rose. “There had been Minor Professional teams here in the past. And not to put any dirt (on them), but it was kind of mediocre.”

According to Stephanie Rose, the Lions are mostly composed of players with a military background. She hopes that can connect with fans in El Paso.

“And our goal is not only to provide a family environment for the military players that we have, but we also would like to eventually become an El Paso attraction for families,” she said.

That military mentality has been a big reason why the team has found success so far, says defensive end Aaron Carr.

“So, as soldiers, you know, it’s just so natural, man. We all work together,” he said. “We’re all great teammates, and we all get along on the field and off the field.”