Team Rankings 2024 Preseason Preview: Mayfield Trojans

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Mayfield Trojans 2024 Preseason Preview
NMPreps Preseason Rank: #21

NMPreps continues to release our early New Mexico high school football preseason rankings to get you ready for the 2024 season. We will rank all 89 teams scheduled to play in the newly aligned 6A-2A classifications, competing in 11-man football. #nmpreps

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2023 Season Review​

Record: 5-7 overall, 0-3 district
2023 Playoffs: 5A Quarterfinals
Points Scored: 232
Points Given Up: 316
Streak into 2024: 1-game losing streak

2023 Season Recap​

The 2023 season was a rollercoaster for the Mayfield Trojans, starting with back-to-back wins over Manzano (55-0) and Organ Mountain (40-10). However, they stumbled in two tough matchups against city rivals Centennial (42-0) and Las Cruces (44-7). A narrow victory over Belen (22-20) was followed by a loss to Deming (20-7) before the Trojans closed out non-district play with a shutout win over Santa Teresa (53-0), finishing 4-3. District play proved challenging, with losses to Goddard (27-13), Roswell (48-15), and Artesia (43-7). The Trojans secured a 9-seed in the state playoffs, edging out 8-seed Gadsden 13-12 in a hard-fought first-round game. Their season ended in the quarterfinals with a rematch against top-seeded Roswell, falling 50-0.

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2024 Outlook: Offensive & Defensive Players to Watch​

The Mayfield Trojans return a strong core of players for the 2024 season, led by quarterback and linebacker Luke Linnan. Entering his second season as the starting quarterback, Linnan threw for 1,291 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 2023 while also leading the team with five rushing touchdowns.

Key returning seniors include RB/DB Justin Madrid, WR/DB Zaiden Salcido, RB/DB Anthony Nevarez, WR/LB Peyton Darden, TE/DE Andreas Garay, and OL/DL Brayan Mendoza. Salcido led all Mayfield returners with nearly 400 receiving yards, while Darden, who notched 3.5 sacks last season, is expected to take on a larger role on offense. Nevarez was the team's leading rusher with nearly 500 rushing yards and three touchdowns, and Garay matched Darden's sack total. Many of these players will be expected to contribute on both sides of the ball, adding to the challenge and excitement of the upcoming season.

Realistic Expectations and Predictions​

The second season under head coach Gary Bradley holds promise as he looks to build on the foundation laid last year with a solid group of returning players. The Trojans' non-district schedule is packed with intrigue, starting with a rivalry clash against Las Cruces on August 23rd. They'll follow that with two home games against West Mesa (8/30) and Organ Mountain (9/6). District play kicks off on September 12th with a road game at Gadsden, followed by another away game at Santa Teresa (9/20). The Trojans will host Deming (9/28) before hitting the road again for back-to-back games against Lovington (10/4) and Goddard (10/18). The regular season closes with two home games against powerhouses Roswell (10/26) and Artesia (11/2).

NMPreps predicts a 4-6 overall record for the Trojans, but with the potential to win up to 6 games if everything falls into place. Coach Bradley's squad will need to bring their A-game, especially in the competitive District 2-5A.

More Previews: New Mexico HS Football 2024 Preseason Rankings (link)