🏈 State Tournament Showdown: Steers Host Mustangs in Six-Man Football

The Magdalena Steers are set for a thrilling rematch as they host the Mountainair Mustangs in the first round of the NMAA Six-Man Football State Tournament. The two rivals from District 2 face off in a high-stakes contest after splitting their regular-season meetings. The head banging starts Saturday in 1 pm home game for the Steers.

Season at a Glance and Head-to-Head

The Magdalena Steers (7-1 overall) enter the tournament as a top seed, boasting an impressive season record. They went undefeated in district play at 3-0. The Steers are currently ranked No. 3 in the New Mexico Division 6-Man rankings by MaxPreps.

The Mountainair Mustangs (4-4 overall), despite a .500 record, proved they are a dangerous tournament opponent by finishing second in the district with a 1-2 league record, and are ranked No. 5 in the same MaxPreps poll.

The Steers will be looking to secure a win and advance after taking the most recent match-up against the Mustangs with a 28-25 victory earlier in the season. However, Mountainair dealt Magdalena a decisive loss in the previous year’s contest, so both teams know the other is capable of a big performance.

Key Players

The Steers’ offense has been fueled by a talented group of playmakers:

• Ky Stephens (Sr., RB/WR/DE): A major threat, Stephens has accounted for 14 total touchdowns this season, leading the team in scoring.
• EJ Lucero (Jr., CB/RB): Lucero leads the team in receiving yards per game (38.9 Y/G) and is a key contributor on defense, leading the Steers in tackles per game.
• Prescott Herrera (Fr., RB/LB): Herrera is an emerging force, leading the Steers’ defense with 2.0 Sacks. In a previous outing against Animas, he rushed for a career-high 75 yards and four touchdowns on just six carries.
• Nathan Bruton (So., WR/QB): The defensive back is a ball hawk, leading the team with 5 Interceptions on the season.

Matchup Prediction

This tournament opener promises a fierce, close contest. Magdalena has the better overall record and the benefit of a recent win against the Mustangs, but Mountainair’s historical success in the division means they cannot be overlooked. The game will likely come down to which defense can contain the opposing team’s key offensive weapons and limit turnovers. Expect a hard-hitting game with both teams leaving it all on the field for a chance to move one step closer to the state championship title.