Movie depicts Las Cruces football teams' heated rivalry

Las Cruces High vs. Mayfield. Two teams, two New Mexico powerhouses in football and two of the most successful programs in the region.

On Friday night at movie theaters in Las Cruces, El Paso, Albuquerque and Deming, the movie titled "Cruces Divided," which chronicles the rich history of this rivalry, will premiere.

Director Charlie Minn is hopeful that the movie can produce the same hysteria and intrigue that the longtime rivalry has produced.

Since 1995, the two programs have won a combined 10 state titles, produced several All-State caliber players and always seem to be in contention.

But it's the intensity of the rivalry that stands out.

"In high school, we stayed on our side of the town and Mayfield stayed on its side," former Bulldawgs and current NMSU running back James Hall Jr. said. "It is a great event to play in and the crowds are awesome. I'm glad the movie is being made. It can serve as an educational piece for young kids and we can learn more about the tradition of the rivalry."

The Las Cruces vs. Mayfield football game, played on the first Friday in November, generally draws at least 20,000 fans to NMSU's Aggie Memorial Stadium. Twice the two teams have played in the state playoffs since 2000. In 2002, the Bulldawgs edged the Trojans, 17-14, for the 5A state title. In 2008, Las Cruces beat Mayfield in the 5A semifinals on its way to the 5A title.

Las Cruces High assistant coach Mark Lopez values the game as much as anyone in the city. He played in three games as a student-athlete and has been in 15 games as an assistant coach.

"It has truly been a lifelong family event," said Lopez of the rivalry. "My whole family went to Las Cruces High and grew up disliking Mayfield. It's a healthy rivalry for the city. Both schools have been able to win a lot of titles and win a lot of big games. I'm eager to see how the movie comes along."

Mayfield leads the rivalry 25-19-1, but the series is tied 15-15 in the past 30 games.

This year, Las Cruces is 6-1, while Mayfield is 4-3.

Jim Bradley has had two stints as the coach of Trojans and is currently helping his son Michael on this year's staff.

"I've remembered the losses more than the wins," quipped Bradley about the rivalry. "There have been a lot of good games over the years. It really means a lot to the city and lots of people come in from other parts of the state and country to see the game."

Both schools have produced college football talent, including Darius Holland, Tyson Ditmore, Hall, Dante Caro, Jeremy Lawson and Matt Camilli. Camilli is currently playing for UTEP and is the team's long snapper.

"It's a game and a rivalry that means so much to a lot of people," said Camilli, who played at Mayfield. "You get to learn about guys on the other team and I'm friends with guys who played at Las Cruces High. I'm looking forward to the movie and what type of information is given to the viewer. It's a good idea."

Minn also directed a movie about the Las Cruces Bowling Alley murders that occurred several years ago. His movie came out last year.

"This wasn't an easy subject to do in many ways, because I didn't have ESPN or Sports Illustrated to lean on," Minn said. "And you couldn't Google a lot of the stuff. I really had to dig and dig for stuff. But people were forthcoming about their stories and helping me with information.

"I really wanted to give people a perspective on the series from when it started. The foundation of this series was laid down somewhere and I was sensitive about reaching every decade, not just the last 10-15 years. There are so many similarities with each program over the past 15 years, it's spooky."

Current Las Cruces Public Schools athletics director Ernie Viramontes and former athletics director Bump Elliott both said the rivalry is one of the best they've ever been a part of.

"So many people know about this rivalry and it really shows the value of high school athletics," Elliott said. "Back in the early 1990s there was a mandate to be competitive in athletics and then the community really supported both programs. The rivalry is also big in other sports and others sports have also grown tremendously."

Since 1995, there has been only one key school title game that didn't feature Las Cruces and Mayfield and that was in 2004 when La Cueva beat Clovis.

This year, hopes are high once again that at least one team will get back to the state finals. And there is a chance the two teams will not only play on the first Friday in November but again later in the month in the playoffs.

"High school sports still play a big role in Las Cruces and New Mexico," longtime fan and high school sports supporter Jim Spence said. "Both programs have had so much success, and people love seeing the kids do well and giving their best each time out."

Felix Chavez may be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6167.

'Cruces Divided'
What: "Cruces Divided" is about the Mayfield vs. Las Cruces high school football rivalryWhen: Showings start Friday.Where: Bassett Place.Show times: 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m.Online details: www.crucesdivided.com.