The Melrose (NM) varsity football team will play a neutral-site playoff game against Mesilla Valley Christian School (Las Cruces, NM) today at 1 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 Nusenda Credit Union State Football Championships – 8-Man tournament.
Melrose vs MVCS Football Game Info:
What: New Mexico High School Football
Who: Melrose vs MVCS
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 1 PM
Bracket: 2024 Nusenda Credit Union State Football Championships – 8-Man
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Game preview: Melrose vs MVCS
As the 2024-2025 football season heads into the postseason, the matchup between Melrose (NM) and Mesilla Valley Christian School (MVCS) promises to be an exciting contest. With a remarkable record of 12-0, Melrose enters the game as the top contender in the region, while MVCS, with an impressive 10-1 season, looks to secure a playoff victory. Here’s a breakdown of the teams, their season performances, and key players to watch for in this thrilling playoff clash.
Season Overview
Melrose (NM) has been dominant all season, remaining undefeated with a perfect 12-0 record. The team has shown an exceptional performance both offensively and defensively, with a remarkable average of 53.2 points per game and only 98 points allowed throughout the season. Their offense is led by star players like the versatile Josiah Roybal, who contributes significantly to both passing and total yards, and the dynamic Jaxon Odom, who leads in rushing.
On the other hand, Mesilla Valley Christian School (MVCS) enters this game with a strong 10-1 record. While they have been very effective, with an average of 44.6 points per game, they will face a tough test against Melrose’s undefeated squad. MVCS has displayed impressive balance on offense, with a solid rushing game and notable passing yards. However, their defense will need to step up to handle the high-powered Melrose offense.
Head-to-Head History
The two teams have faced off earlier in the season on September 27, 2024, where Melrose dominated in a 56-12 victory over MVCS. This early season result will be in the minds of both teams as they head into their playoff rematch, but MVCS will be motivated to show how far they have come since that defeat.
Key Player Matchups
- Josiah Roybal (MVCS) vs. Jaxon Odom (MVCS): Roybal has been a force for MVCS this season, accumulating 151.8 passing yards per game. As a dual-threat quarterback, he will look to lead his team down the field, but Odom, who averages 94.1 rushing yards per game, is equally dangerous. Their combined effort in total yards—Roybal averaging 202.1 and Odom contributing 16.5 points per game—could be pivotal for MVCS’s success.
- Melrose’s Balanced Attack: The Melrose offense has been firing on all cylinders. The team averages over 200 rushing yards per game and has been highly effective in the air as well, with players like Brayden Eldridge and Josiah Roybal, who’s accumulated 202.1 total yards per game. With an explosive offense and defense that only allows an average of 8.2 points per game, Melrose is a well-rounded team that will challenge MVCS’s defense.
Common Opponents
Both teams have shared some common opponents this season, including Tatum, Gateway Christian, and Lordsburg. In all their encounters with these teams, both squads recorded dominant victories, showing their ability to handle tough competition. Melrose went 7-0 against these common opponents, while MVCS went 6-0, further demonstrating how evenly matched these teams are when facing similar challenges.
Playoff Stakes
This game will be critical for both teams as they continue their playoff journey. Melrose has proven itself as the top team in the region with its perfect record, while MVCS will be looking to avenge their earlier loss to Melrose and advance further in the postseason.
For MVCS, the key to success will lie in their ability to adapt to Melrose’s aggressive offensive attack while executing their own offensive game plan, which has been highly effective all season. For Melrose, maintaining their dominant form and capitalizing on their defensive prowess will be essential to securing a win.
Conclusion
With both teams entering the game in strong form, the upcoming matchup between Melrose and Mesilla Valley Christian School is one that football fans won’t want to miss. Will Melrose continue their undefeated run, or will MVCS pull off an upset in this playoff showdown? Only time will tell as these two powerhouse teams clash in what promises to be an electrifying contest.
