High School Football is not a Popularity Contest-Centennial, Gadsden and Mesilla Valley Christian remain PERFECT through Week 4

The last unbeaten teams in our broader community have one thing in common–they are too often overlooked. As the season turns to district play, their opponents had better take notice because these teams have come to play some football.

A Las Cruces Digest Report

Rio Rancho 27, Centennial 49

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Rio Rancho	0	7	14	6	27
Centennial	7	14	14	14	49

This game was the LCPSTV “Friday Nights from the Field of Dreams” game of the week, and the Hawks did not disappoint the crowd gathered to root them on.

Despite having a consistently competitive football program, the Hawks are often overlooked by local football fans. It can be hard to compete for the spotlight when the three other LCPS schools have banners and traditions galore. Centennial is the newest high school in the district, and hasn’t had the opportunity to hang any banners of their own at the Field of Dreams.

What’s worse is the tendency to reduce a team to a few individual players who can be linked to the scoreboard. This Hawk team, however, doesn’t fly solo. They are a team in every sense of the word. So, before we get any further, Las Cruces Digest would like to give a shout out the Hawk’s defensive front men: Andres Saenz(#95), Samuel Terrazas(#11), Daniel Gonzales(#79), Tyler Mayfield(#91) and Luke Matherly(#44).

^{Andres Saenz breaks for Rio Rancho Quarterback, Micah Takahashi. The play ended with one of two late-game interceptions.}

The defensive line may not be the fireworks on the field, but these defensive linemen are definitely the ones lighting the fuse.

The Centennial Hawks are undefeated going into District 3/6A play against Carlsbad, this Thursday (September 19, 2024). The game will be played at the Field of Dreams, so the short turn around won’t be compounded by travel. The game on our radar, however is the November 1st match up with Las Cruces High School. If past is prologue, all signs point to District 3/6A coming down to the first of November.

Given Las Cruces High School’s tradition in developing their offensive line, this game is bound to be won or lost in the trenches. We can’t wait to see it.

Mayfield 20, Gadsden 28

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Mayfield	0	7	7	6	20
Gadsden	0	20	0	8	28

^{(Photo: Courtesy Panther Nation Football via Facebook)}

One thing Gadsden has never been known for is its football team–until now. There are rumblings down the valley that this might be the year the Panthers make a run for a state championship.

They made strides in the right direction Thursday night when they defeated the Mayfield Trojans. It was the first time Gadsden has beaten Mayfield–ever.

One might ask what has changed at the old school down in the valley. Apparently, the Panthers have finally found the missing ingredient to competitive football: las ganas.

Gadsden travels to Artesia this Friday to take on a Bulldog team that has a long-standing tradition of football excellence. While the Bulldogs have suffered two losses to teams in higher classes, they will be coming off a decisive District 3/5A win against a hot Deming team. Gadsden vs. Artesia is the game to watch next week to see if a newly discovered sense of the ganas is enough to overcome a perennial powerhouse.

Mesilla Valley Christian 64, Mescalero Apache 14

It is easy to overlook the SonBlazers. Their campus sits discreetly south of NMSU, and their enrollment is meager by public-school standards. MVCS my be small, but they often prove to be mighty.

^{Photo by Kcenia Gwaltney for Las Cruces Digest}

Las Cruces Digest was there when the SonBlazers kicked off the 2024 season, and witnessed an 8-man football team that understood the fundamentals of the game. Their record since demonstrates how fundamentals go a long way toward making a championship team.

We will be watching closely on September 27, when the SonBlazers host their Homecoming against defending state champion, Melrose. For now, Melrose is also undefeated and 1-0 in District 3/8-Man football. We just might have to make plans to be at the Organ Mountain practice field on Friday, September 27, to watch what is sure to be one of the greatest games of this season.

Article posted by:

Levi Gwaltney

Levi Gwaltney is the Editor In Chief of Las Cruces Digest. The Editor makes editorial and posting decisions regarding content published on this site. In most cases, the Editor makes little if any contribution to content published, and takes no credit for the content of republished posts. If available, the source or author of posts is provided at the top of the article.