The Las Cruces (NM) varsity football team will host La Cueva (Albuquerque, NM) in a playoff game today at 1 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 Nusenda Credit Union State Football Championships – 6A tournament.

Las Cruces vs La Cueva Football Game Info:

What: New Mexico High School Football
Who: Las Cruces vs La Cueva
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 1 PM
Bracket: 2024 Nusenda Credit Union State Football Championships – 6A
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Game preview: Las Cruces vs La Cueva

As the 2024 New Mexico high school football season heats up, two teams are rising above the rest with exceptional performances: La Cueva and Las Cruces. Both teams have displayed tremendous skills and determination, but with very different paths to success. As they prepare for their next showdown, let’s dive into the stats, records, and matchups that have shaped their seasons so far.

La Cueva: The Unbeaten Titans

La Cueva enters the game with an impeccable 11-0 record, showing dominance across both district and non-district matchups. Their record is perfect, with a 7-0 district record and a 6-0 mark at home. With a staggering 518 points scored and only 128 points allowed, La Cueva has outscored its opponents by an average of 47.1 points per game. Their offense is a juggernaut, averaging 335.7 total yards per game—154 yards rushing and 181.7 yards passing.

Key players include senior Daniel Amaro, who leads the team with 120.1 rushing yards per game and 16.2 points per game. Quarterback Gunnar Guardiola has been efficient with 172.4 passing yards per game, while receiver Nate Libby contributes 65.8 receiving yards per game. La Cueva’s defense is just as formidable, with linebacker Andres Acosta averaging 7.0 tackles per game and Caleb Lewis contributing 1.0 sack per game. As a team, La Cueva has also shown impressive offensive line play, with Joshua Quintero delivering 7 pancake blocks.

Las Cruces: The Strong Contender

Las Cruces, with a 9-3 overall record, has proven itself as a tough competitor. Though they did not achieve perfection like La Cueva, their 5-1 district performance and 5-1 home record demonstrate their solid standing. Las Cruces scores an average of 38.8 points per game, led by a strong offense. Their rushing attack averages 154.0 yards per game, with quarterback Gunnar Guardiola providing 172.4 yards through the air, contributing 184.6 total yards per game. Receiver Nate Libby leads the receiving corps with 65.8 yards per game. While their offense is impressive, Las Cruces’ defense has also been strong, allowing 192 points across the season.

Team Comparisons

La Cueva’s statistical advantages are evident in multiple categories. They outpace Las Cruces in overall yards per game, tackles, and points per game, while also having an edge in key individual performances. However, Las Cruces has proven to be a formidable opponent against common foes. Both teams share a 3-0 record against mutual opponents like Volcano Vista, West Mesa, and Hobbs. However, La Cueva had a more dominant performance in those matchups, with victories by large margins.

Common Opponents: A Test of Strength

Looking at their common opponents, both teams had dominant wins against Volcano Vista, West Mesa, and Hobbs. La Cueva defeated Volcano Vista 21-0 on the road and crushed West Mesa 48-14, while Las Cruces had a closer loss to Volcano Vista 27-24 but triumphed over Hobbs 44-14 and West Mesa 49-7. This commonality suggests that while both teams have strengths, La Cueva’s overall dominance may give them an edge heading into their matchup with Las Cruces.

Conclusion: A Battle of Unbeaten vs. Proven

La Cueva’s unbeaten record and high-scoring offense make them the favorites heading into their game against Las Cruces, who have had a strong, but slightly less dominant season. With impressive individual performances and powerful team stats, La Cueva seems poised to extend their perfect season. However, Las Cruces will certainly be a challenging opponent, and their 9-3 record proves they are more than capable of taking down any opponent in their path. This showdown is sure to be a thrilling matchup between two of New Mexico’s top football programs.