Published Nov 13, 2024
6-Man State Championship Preview: No. 1 Logan vs No. 2 Grady
Joshua Grine  •  NMPreps
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NMPreps takes a look at this Friday's New Mexico high school football 6-Man State Championship game between the Logan High School Longhorns and the Grady High School Bronchos. #nmpreps #nmhsfb

Game Details

Date: Friday, November 15th

Time:7:30 PM

Location: Logan High School, Logan, NM

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Overview: The 6-Man state championship showdown between top-seeded Logan and second-seeded Grady brings two of New Mexico’s elite small-school football teams head-to-head. Logan enters with an undefeated record, showcasing both offensive firepower and a lockdown defense. Meanwhile, Grady is riding an eight-game winning streak, driven by resilience and an explosive offense. The last time these two met in September, Logan narrowly edged out Grady 32-26, setting the stage for a thrilling rematch with the state title on the line.

Bronchos At-A-Glance

The Grady Bronchos have been nothing short of impressive this season. Following a one-score loss to Logan earlier in the season, Grady has reeled off eight straight wins. With a high-octane offense and a defense that forces turnovers, Grady is well-prepared for this rematch.

Offensive Strengths: Led by sophomore QB Zander Ciancio, Grady has a potent passing game. Ciancio’s 1,132 passing yards and 25 touchdowns make him a top threat. The versatile Deakin Ragland and Trey Rush bring a dynamic edge as dual-threats with impressive yardage both rushing and receiving.

Defensive Standouts: Trey Rush and Andre Garcia anchor the defense. Rush leads with 77 tackles and 24 tackles for loss, while Garcia isn’t far behind with 74 tackles and 22 tackles for loss. Ragland’s six interceptions showcase his ability to disrupt opponents in the secondary.

Key Stats

Points Per Game:42.0

Total Yards Per Game:252.5

Key Players: Zander Ciancio, Deakin Ragland, Trey Rush, Chevy Dickson

Longhorns At-A-Glance 

Logan’s perfect season has been a masterclass in balance. The Longhorns have an explosive offense, averaging over 53 points per game, paired with a rugged defense that’s allowed only 78 points all season. Their narrow win over Grady in September suggests Logan knows what it takes to beat this team.

Offensive Strengths:Junior quarterback Aydin Kotara and senior running back Haden Judd form a lethal backfield combination. Kotara’s 1,261 passing yards and 34 touchdowns highlight his efficiency and accuracy, while Judd’s 1,257 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns show his game-breaking ability.

Defensive Standouts: Payson Nials has been dominant on defense, leading the team with 165 total tackles, 47 tackles for loss, and eight sacks. His ability to penetrate the backfield could disrupt Grady’s offensive rhythm.

Key Stats

Points Per Game:53.2

Total Yards Per Game:339.9

Key Players: Aydin Kotara, Haden Judd, Stratton Schoonover, Payson Nials

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