New Mexico Banitas women's tackle football team playing in national semifinals

The New Mexico Banitas, a women’s tackle football team, is just one win away from punching its ticket to the Women’s Football Alliance Division 2 National Championship.

On Saturday, the underdog Banitas travel to Utah to try to pull off an upset over the undefeated Salt Lake Wildcats. The winner advances to the July 25 championship in Canton, Ohio.

The Banitas roster features about 25 to 28 players, many of whom play both offense and defense. While the team is based in Las Cruces, players hail from Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and El Paso and have played home games at the Field of Dreams in Las Cruces and in Cloudcroft.

Banitas head coach Jamar Cotton, an outside linebacker and defensive end for New Mexico State from 2006 to 2009, has spent the past 10 years coaching women’s football.

“Sports are something that are available to everybody, it is not just for men,” he said. “Some of these women are just as fast (as men), work just as hard, and they love the game just as much. They should get the opportunity to play. It’s empowerment.”

Fast risers

The WFA’s 52 teams are divided into three divisions. The Banitas played in Division 3 their first two seasons. After winning the regional and conference championships last year, they were promoted to Division 2.

In their first year in Division 2, the Banitas went 2-4 in the regular season and advanced to the playoff semifinals with a 30-2 home victory over the Derby City Dynamite in the first round.

If the Banitas claim the Division 2 title, they could advance to the Pro division.

Growing the sport

Cotton believes women’s tackle football can grow. He pointed to the existence of the USA Women’s National Team and professional programs already competing — they just don’t get the same attention as the men.

“That’s part of the reason why we are going to continue to push hard, push fast, so that women get the recognition on the pro level or the Olympic level.”

The Banitas are already recruiting for the 2026 season.

“If there are any female athletes, even if you don’t play football, if you play volleyball or softball or run track or play soccer, we need all those athletes,” Cotton said. “Even if you don’t have experience, we can get you where you need to be to get you ready for the 2026 (season). It would be great if we could get 30 more females to help win this national championship.”