Artesia, Roswell and Las Cruces schools prepare for playoff football action this week
The 5A and 6A football playoffs across New Mexico crank up this week as teams from southern and southeastern New Mexico square off in the quarterfinals in the larger school classes.
Roswell, Artesia, Mayfield, Las Cruces and Centennial see action Friday and Saturday. Here is a closer look at the opposition.
Mayfield at Roswell
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Records: Mayfield 5-6, 0-3; Roswell 10-0, 3-0
Last week: Roswell was off; Mayfield edged Gadsden 13-12 in the opening round of the 5A playoffs last week.
Broadcast: KBIM FM 94.9
Tickets: Are available online at https://gofan.com
Top players to watch: Roswell-QB, Manny Fuentez, RB Abbey Toscano, DE Mason Greathouse; Mayfield-QB Luke Linan (averages 280 yards passing per game), RB Justin Madrid (15 carries for 89 yards and 3 TDs).
The Scoop: Roswell is the No. 1 team in 5A and is undefeated in 2023. The Coyotes and the Trojans met during the regular season as both teams compete in District 5-4A. Roswell defeated Mayfield 48-15 Oct. 20 in Roswell.
Los Alamos at Artesia
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Records: Artesia 9-1, 2-1; Los Alamos 9-2, 2-1
Last week: Artesia was off; Los Alamos defeated Albuquerque Highland in the opening round of the 5A playoffs last weekend 49-13.
More: Ethan Conn's 4 touchdowns help Artesia blasting the Goddard Rockets 54-14 at Bulldog Bowl
Tickets: Are available online at https://gofan.com
Top players to watch: Artesia-QB Nye Estrada (averages 252.5 yards passing per game), RB Frankie Galindo (averages 102 rushing yards per game); Los Alamos-QB Kyle Evenhus (averages 134.7 passing yards per game), RB Niko Garcia (averages 83.1 yards per game, averages 6.7 points per game).
The Scoop: The Bulldogs are the No. 2 seed in the 5A playoffs and the only loss this year was to Roswell. Artesia is seeking its 32nd state title and Los Alamos finished second in District 5-2/6A.
Las Cruces vs. Centennial
When: 7 p.m. Friday at Field of Dreams in Las Cruces
Records: Las Cruces 6-5, 4-1; Centennial 7-2, 5-0
Last week: Centennial was off; Las Cruces defeated Los Lunas 42-6 in the opening round of the 6A playoffs.
Broadcast: Kool Oldies 104.5 FM and 570 AM
Tickets: https://gofan.com
Top players to watch: Las Cruces-RB Daniel Amaro, QB Kelly Stevens, WR Joseph Abeyta; Centennial-QB Zaiden Davis (18-34, 329 yards, 4 TDs), RB Jesus Barraza (87-carries, 614 yards, 3TDs).
More: Centennial edges Las Cruces High in season finale to finish district play undefeated
The Scoop: Centennial is the No. 2 seed in the 6A playoffs and Las Cruces is No. 7. The Hawks went undefeated in District 6/3-4A and defeated Las Cruces High 30-23 in the Oct. 27 regular-season finale. Rio Rancho Cleveland is the No. 1 seed in the 6A playoffs.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Las Cruces, Artesia, Roswell prepare for weekend playoff action
