Las Cruces women’s football team hosts playoff game

The New Mexico Banitas, Las Cruces’ women’s tackle football team, will host their first ever playoff game at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 24, at Cloudcroft High School’s Bear Stadium in Cloudcroft, New Mexico.

Tickets for the playoff game are $5. Cloudcroft students get in free.

The Banitas play the Rocky Mountain ThunderKatz in the first round of the Women’s Football Alliance WFA) Division 3 playoffs. The teams split two games during the regular season, with the ThunderKatz winning 26-12 in Colorado Springs in April and the Banitas winning 26-0 in Cloudcroft in May.

The Banitas finished the 2023 regular season, “which ranked them #1 in the Pacific Region and gave them home field advantage for this June 24 showdown with the ThunderKatz,” said Banitas Coach Jamar Cotton.

“The Banitas hosted their home games in Cloudcroft as there were no fields available in Las Cruces this year,” Cotton said. “However, Cloudcroft has been a blessing to the Banitas,” he said. “The school district embraced us and opened the doors for us something special! We really appreciate the love and support Cloudcroft has given us.

“The players are gearing up to continue to make history,” Cotton said.

With coaches Brian Bartlett, Noah Bartlett, Tre Bennett, Jessica Segura and Cotton, “the Banitas have a well-rounded staff that meshes well together,” he said. “We look to use what everyone brings to the field in our pursuit to Canton.”

The winner of the June 24 game advances to the second round of the playoffs, July 8. The WFA national championship is July 21 at Thom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

Follow the Banitas on Facebook at New Mexico Banitas. Also visit https://wfaprofootball.com/team/new-mexico-banitas/.