Crowded at the top in prep boys soccer

Defense is at the heart of Mayfield High School’s chase for the postseason in 5A District 3 boys soccer. The Trojans (9-2), behind sophomore goalkeeper Christopher Heraz, have recorded five shutouts in their first 11 contests. Senior Ernesto Torres has pounded the net nine times to lead Mayfield on the offensive side of the ledger, with help from senior Jacob Meraz, who has delivered eight goals. Raymundo Carranza sets the table for the Trojans, with six assists at this point in the campaign.

It's a formula Mayfield will need to keep finding as they, and the rest of District 3 pursue a Gadsden (8-3) team that is ranked in the state’s top 10.

At Organ Mountain (8-3), a balanced high-scoring attack is the key at the midseason mark. The Knights have tallied 32 goals while yielding just 12. Seniors Asa Laws (six goals, five assists), Daniel Guerrero Medina (five goals), and Nikolas Apodaca (five goals, three assists) are the leading offensive contributors.

The Knights opened district play Sept. 23 with a 3-1 upset of Gadsden, sending the message that this district is up for grabs and the defending 5A state champions are still in the mix.

“Expectations on the team are high,” said first-year Organ Mountain head coach Pablo Rodriguez. “Everyone knows and understands winning state last year makes the other teams play their best game against us, but we work hard and stay humble on the daily basics to face every obstacle on the way to be the best team out there. Having the early loss versus Roswell made us hungrier to continue to work hard and adapt faster to each other.”

Centennial (7-3-1) is also leaning on its senior class, with seniors Victor Rios (seven goals, five assists) and Tyler Ward (four goals, three assists leading the way.

With the favored Gadsden falling in the district opener, the path to a title is wide open with Organ Mountain right there hoping for a state championship repeat.