The Mayfield (Las Cruces, NM) varsity football team is set to play a neutral-site playoff game against Artesia (NM) today at 1 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 Nusenda Credit Union State Football Championships – 5A tournament.

Mayfield vs Artesia Football Game Info:

What: New Mexico High School Football
Who: Mayfield vs Artesia
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 1 PM
Bracket: 2024 Nusenda Credit Union State Football Championships – 5A
Watch here: Watch here

Game preview: Mayfield vs Artesia

As the 2024 New Mexico high school football season continues, Artesia (8-3) and Mayfield (6-6) are set to clash in an intense neutral-site playoff game today at 1:00 PM. Their matchup comes after a dominant 42-28 victory by Artesia over Mayfield earlier this month. This rematch is critical, with both teams looking to make a statement in the postseason.

Season Overview

Artesia has had an impressive campaign, finishing with an 8-3 overall record, and 6-1 in district play. They have outperformed expectations, with a powerful offense that averages 49.1 points per game, making them one of the most potent teams in New Mexico. Their rushing attack is led by Frankie Galindo, who averages 72.3 yards per game, and quarterback Izac Cazares, who has thrown for an average of 242.5 passing yards per game.

On the other hand, Mayfield’s season has been more inconsistent, with a 6-6 record and a 3-4 district performance. Despite struggling at times, they are a resilient team, with solid offensive production averaging 31.3 points per game. Mayfield’s quarterback, Cazares, has also been a key contributor to their offensive attack, and their defense has been opportunistic, with linebacker Grant Johnson averaging 6.4 tackles per game.

Head-to-Head Breakdown

In their last meeting on November 2, Artesia dominated Mayfield with a 42-28 victory. The first half was particularly challenging for Mayfield, as Artesia scored 21 points in the opening quarter alone. Mayfield managed to respond with 7 points in each of the next three quarters but couldn’t recover from the early deficit.

Looking ahead, both teams have performed well against common opponents this season, but Artesia has the edge with a 6-1 record in such matchups, while Mayfield finished 4-3 against shared opponents. Notably, both teams defeated Deming, but Mayfield fell short against Gadsden and Roswell, while Artesia had no such losses against those same teams.

Statistical Comparison

Offensively, Artesia boasts superior stats across the board. They average 399 total yards per game, including 141.7 rushing yards and 257.3 passing yards, making them a balanced and dangerous offensive force. They also show impressive efficiency, with a scoring average of 39.5 points per game, outpacing Mayfield by nearly 8 points per game.

Mayfield, meanwhile, is more limited offensively, managing 376 total yards per game. They are more reliant on their passing game, with 242.5 passing yards per contest, but their rushing attack has been inconsistent throughout the season.

Defensively, Artesia has been dominant, with 56.6 tackles per game and 1.5 sacks per game. Mayfield’s defense has been strong as well, but they’ve struggled at times, particularly in high-scoring games, as seen in their earlier meeting with Artesia.

Key Players to Watch

• Artesia’s Izac Cazares – The senior quarterback is key to their offensive success. His ability to pass effectively, with an average of 242.5 yards per game, will be crucial in breaking down Mayfield’s defense.
• Frankie Galindo – Artesia’s running back, who averages 72.3 rushing yards per game, is a constant threat on the ground. If he gets going early, Artesia can control the tempo of the game.
• Mayfield’s Grant Johnson – The linebacker will be crucial in slowing down Artesia’s offense. With 6.4 tackles per game, his leadership on defense could be the difference-maker.

What’s at Stake

This playoff game holds significant importance for both teams. A win for Artesia would solidify their position as one of the top teams in the state, while a victory for Mayfield could serve as a redemption after their regular-season loss. Artesia is the favorite heading into this neutral-site game, but as history shows, Mayfield is a dangerous team capable of an upset.

As both teams prepare to face off, one thing is clear: expect a high-energy, hard-fought game with plenty of scoring. Artesia has proven themselves as the more consistent team throughout the season, but Mayfield is hungry for redemption and has the tools to challenge the Bulldogs.

With the playoffs in full swing, this game could be the beginning of a deep postseason run for either team. The stage is set, and both Artesia and Mayfield are ready to leave it all on the field.