JT Keith
Artesia, football season is coming fast. The Bulldogs will face Carlsbad in just 86 days to start their highly anticipated 2026 season, as grueling two-a-days begin officially on July 6.
The hot summer air will soon carry the familiar sounds of sharp whistles, crashing shoulder pads, and the undeniable energy of a community completely united by a single gridiron goal.
As Artesia chases another blue trophy and adds to its unmatched state title count (33), the Artesia Daily Press is diving deep into comprehensive football coverage this summer.
We are launching an ambitious project to celebrate the rich, unmatched history of this powerhouse program, and I want your direct help to build a definitive list of the top 100 Bulldogs football players of all time.
The goal here is simple: honor the gridiron icons who built Artesia football’s proud legacy and tell their incredible stories the right way.
This program has spent decades establishing a rigorous standard of excellence. You can see that history plain as day on the facility walls, where a football helmet hangs to honor every single state championship season, proudly displaying the year the Bulldogs brought the blue trophy home.
We want to celebrate the elite athletes who earned those helmets and defined generation after generation of unforgettable hometown talent. From the fierce defensive stalwarts who completely shut down opponents on Friday nights to the explosive playmakers who lit up the scoreboard and left defenses grasping at air, every single era of Bulldogs football has its unique heroes.
We want to make sure absolutely no deserving player is left behind in this count, which is why this comprehensive list needs to be shaped directly by the diehard fans, families, and community members who witnessed this greatness firsthand from the stands.
Whether it is a star from the historic championship squads of the mid-20th century or a more recent standout who left everything on the field just a few seasons ago, we want to hear from you.
Please send your personal nominations, along with your favorite Friday night memories, key statistics, or brief stories about why these men belong on the ultimate all-time list, directly to my email address.
Let’s work together as a community to create a lasting, definitive tribute to the Bulldogs who defined what it truly means to wear the orange and black. Get your votes in early, let the fierce debate begin, and let’s honor the tradition that makes Artesia the greatest football town in New Mexico.
Let the feedback begin.