The Deming (NM) varsity football team will play a neutral playoff game against Mayfield (Las Cruces, NM) today at 7 PM at Deming High School. This game is part of the “2024 Nusenda Credit Union State Football Championships – 5A” tournament.

Mayfield vs Deming Football Game Info:

What: New Mexico High School Football Playoffs
Who: Mayfield vs Deming
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
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Game preview: Mayfield vs Deming

This season’s high school football playoff match-up between Mayfield and Deming promises to be a thrilling encounter. Both teams have shown impressive performances, with Mayfield entering the game with a 5-6 overall record and Deming boasting an 8-2 record. The two teams previously faced off on September 28, 2024, with Deming narrowly edging out Mayfield 29-27 in a hard-fought game. Now, the stage is set for a neutral-site playoff showdown today at 7:00 PM.

Mayfield’s Struggles and Strengths

Mayfield, hailing from Las Cruces, NM, has had an up-and-down season with a 5-6 overall record. The team’s offense has been a source of both strength and inconsistency. Averaging 370.2 total yards per game, the Mayfield offense is led by dynamic player Ryan Alfaro. Alfaro has been pivotal for Mayfield this season, leading the team in rushing yards (146.4 per game), passing yards (75.0), and receiving yards (37.5). His combined total of 223.7 yards per game is a key factor in the team’s scoring average of 32.3 points per game. However, despite his efforts, Mayfield has faced challenges against tougher opponents, leading to a 3-4 record in district play.

Defensively, Mayfield’s tackling leader is Sebastian Acuña, who averages 5.8 tackles per game. The defense, however, has allowed 320 points this season, with the team’s sack rate (0.7 per game) indicating some difficulty in pressuring opposing quarterbacks.

Deming’s Dominance

On the other side, Deming has been a powerhouse this season with an 8-2 overall record and a 5-2 district record. The team’s defense has been formidable, with standout performances across the board. Deming allows an average of just 248 points for the season and has made major strides in both passing and rushing.

Offensively, Deming has had solid balance, led by their ability to run the ball, averaging 273.7 rushing yards per game. Quarterback play has been solid, with passing yards totaling 96.5 per game, and their offense averages 31.1 points per game. Deming’s defense is anchored by standout players like Diego Baca, who records an average of 1.0 sack per game, and their collective effort leads to consistent pressure on opponents.

Common Opponents and Head-to-Head

Both teams have faced several common opponents this season, which adds an interesting layer to the matchup. Deming has won most of these encounters, including wins over teams like Organ Mountain, Santa Teresa, and Lovington. Mayfield, on the other hand, has also shown its own resilience in tight matches, including victories over teams like Lovington and Santa Teresa.

In their first meeting of the season, Deming prevailed by just 2 points, which highlights how competitive both teams have been. In that game, Deming’s offense outlasted Mayfield’s, but the margin was razor-thin, suggesting that Mayfield has the potential to challenge Deming again, especially with the game being held on a neutral field.

Key Players to Watch

• Ryan Alfaro (Mayfield): As the leader of Mayfield’s offense, Alfaro has the ability to make big plays both on the ground and through the air. His performance will be critical in Mayfield’s attempt to upset Deming.
• Diego Baca (Deming): The defensive standout for Deming, Baca’s ability to disrupt Mayfield’s offensive rhythm could be a game-changer.
• Sebastian Acuña (Mayfield): As the leader of the Mayfield defense, Acuña will need to step up and help contain Deming’s powerful running game.

Prediction

This game promises to be an intense and hard-fought battle between two talented teams. While Deming has the stronger overall record and has shown more consistency, Mayfield’s explosive offense led by Ryan Alfaro could turn the tide in their favor. With the high stakes of the playoffs, expect both teams to leave everything on the field in a clash that could go down to the wire.

Final Score Prediction: Deming 31, Mayfield 28. Deming’s balanced attack and solid defense give them the edge, but Mayfield is more than capable of pulling off an upset if their offense can perform at its best.