The Bloomfield (NM) varsity football team will play a neutral playoff game against Valencia (Los Lunas, NM) today at 1:00 PM at Bloomfield HS. This game is part of the 2024 Nusenda Credit Union State Football Championships – 4A tournament.

Valencia vs Bloomfield Football Game Info:

What: New Mexico High School Football Playoffs
Who: Valencia vs Bloomfield
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m.
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Game preview: Valencia vs Bloomfield

As the high school football season heats up, the matchup between the Valencia Jaguars and the Bloomfield Bobcats promises to be an exciting clash between two powerhouse teams. Let’s break down the teams’ key statistics, player performances, and previous encounters to see what each team brings to the table.

Team Stat Comparison

Both teams have strong, balanced offensive units, but they have distinct styles of play that set them apart.

Rushing and Passing Attack:

• Valencia has a slightly stronger rushing game, averaging 232.2 yards per game, led by Michael Storms III, who is a standout with 156.6 rushing yards per game. On the other hand, Bloomfield isn’t far behind with 215.8 rushing yards per game, with Peyton Duncan leading the charge, contributing 104.0 yards per game.
• Bloomfield holds a clear advantage in the passing game, averaging 269.2 yards per game, thanks to Blake Spencer, who racks up 250.1 passing yards per game. In contrast, Valencia averages just 95.3 passing yards per game, with Aidan Harrington contributing 88.9 yards per game.

Total Yards and Offensive Efficiency:

• Bloomfield has the edge when it comes to total yardage, averaging an impressive 485.0 yards per game, compared to Valencia’s 327.5 yards per game. This discrepancy highlights Bloomfield’s ability to move the ball through both the air and on the ground effectively.
• Valencia will need to capitalize on their strong rushing attack to keep the Bloomfield offense off the field. Their total yards per game (327.5) might not be as high as Bloomfield’s, but they have been efficient in their approach.

Defensive Play:

• Bloomfield leads the charge defensively with 71.8 tackles per game, compared to Valencia’s 54.5. Both teams are tied at 1.4 sacks per game, showing they both can put pressure on the quarterback.

Points Per Game:

• Bloomfield has a higher scoring average, putting up 38.7 points per game, while Valencia scores 26.8 points per game. With Bloomfield’s explosive offense, they will be looking to build a high-scoring game, while Valencia will need to limit their offensive possessions.

Team Leaders

• For Valencia, Michael Storms III is the clear leader, dominating both the rushing (156.6 yards per game) and total yards (156.6 yards per game) categories. He is also the team’s primary scorer with 12.5 points per game.
• For Bloomfield, Blake Spencer leads the charge in passing with 250.1 yards per game and has accumulated 309.2 total yards per game. Peyton Duncan’s solid rushing performance (104.0 yards per game) and the strong receiving contributions from Kaleb Hutchens (81.6 yards per game) round out their offensive threats.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar opponents, including Kirtland Central and Moriarty, and each team has posted victories against them:

• Valencia defeated Kirtland Central 20-7 and Moriarty 35-34.
• Bloomfield had dominant victories, defeating Kirtland Central 55-0 and Moriarty 42-0.

Record Breakdown

• Valencia has an overall record of 8-3, with a 4-2 league record. They have a strong home record of 4-1 but will be tested on the road, where they are 3-2.
• Bloomfield, with a perfect 9-0 record, has been dominant throughout the season, including a flawless 7-0 league record. They’ve been equally impressive on the road, boasting a 4-0 away record.

The Bottom Line

This game presents an exciting contrast of styles. Valencia will lean on their strong rushing attack led by Michael Storms III and their tough defense, while Bloomfield will look to exploit their high-powered offense and solid defensive unit. With both teams having won all their common matchups, this clash will be pivotal in determining who can capitalize on their strengths and emerge victorious.

The stage is set for a thrilling high school football showdown that fans won’t want to miss.