Is it time for New Mexico to change where high school football champions are played?
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The Las Cruces High School football team is seeded No. 1 in the New Mexico football playoffs in Class 6A and plays No. 2 Rio Rancho Cleveland on Saturday for the state title.
But despite being the higher seed, the Bulldawgs are the road for the 1 p.m. start at Cleveland High School. In fact, the Bulldawgs also played their state semifinal at Albuquerque No. 5 La Cueva on Nov. 21.
New Mexico high school football playoff rules
The New Mexico Activities Association rule is that road teams for semifinal and championship games are decided by who hosted the last playoff game between the two teams. Las Cruces High and Cleveland last played each other in the playoffs in the 2021 6A semifinals at the Field of Dreams in Las Cruces.
The NMAA rule has been a longstanding rule in the state.
The only home game the Bulldawgs have had this postseason is when they defeated No. 8 Los Lunas in the quarterfinal round.
How Texas crowns its football championship?
In neighboring Texas, schools typically host first round games at home in Classes 5A and 6A, but in the smaller classes teams have decided to play at neural sites.
Most playoff games after the first round are played at neutral sites until the state finals, which are all played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, the home of the Dallas Cowboys.
The venue is considered a special treat for fans and players who compete in the championship games.
All New Mexico state title games at 1 p.m. Saturday
High school football fans in New Mexico will have to choose one game to watch since all the games are at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29.
In Class 5A, Roswell is at Artesia, in Class 4A, Bloomfield plays St. Pius at Nusenda Community Stadium in Albuquerque, in Class 3A. St. Michael's is at Dexter and in Class 2A, Eunice visits Texico.
Should UNM host high school football championships?
University of New Mexico Director of Athletics Fernando Lovo posted a comment on social media stating UNM would be open to hosting football championship at University Stadium.
Lovo posted: "We are always open to hosting any @_NMAA events! Would love to have high school football playoff/championship games in University Stadium!"
New Mexico State University Director of Athletics Joe Fields has not spoke on the topic or expressed any interest in hosting championship games.
Perhaps in the future, a better schedule can be worked out so fans can enjoy the multiple state games at one site over the course of two or three days.
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes on X; @Fchavezeptimes on X
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Are NM football championships fair? No neutral field in 6A title game
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