It was not the game Artesia wanted, but there was plenty worth taking from the loss.
Here are three good things the Bulldogs can build on this season.
- Quarterback Lucas Atkins.
Artesia quarterback Lucas Atkins started looking like a leading man instead of an understudy Friday night. He did not let the pressure get to him. He took command of the huddle, took command of the team, and managed the moment. The game never looked too big for him.
That mattered. Atkins did not play well in his first high school start, but head coach Jeremy Maupin stuck with him in the Carlsbad game. Pulling him there would have sent the wrong message to the seniors and the team.
Atkins rewarded Maupin with 13 points and a chance to win at Carlsbad.
Atkins also showed leadership by taking the Bulldogs down the field in 39 seconds with a chance to tie Hobbs and force overtime. He can push the ball downfield, and he has to do it enough to open running lanes for Cristian Pando. With each snap and each series, Atkins looks more comfortable. Barring injury or a complete collapse in his play, Atkins should have a strong senior year.
- Defense has championship stuff
I know the defense gave up 28 points in the second half, but the effort was there. This defense is outmatched in size at nearly every position. It held a Hobbs team that scored 60 against Roswell to 28 points and shut out the Eagles in the first half. In the Carlsbad game, it gave up 20 points and pitched a second-half shutout.
After the Centennial game, the chances of the Bulldogs seeing another team with that kind of size in 6A are remote.
- Special Teams dominate.
The special teams have been rock solid and look one missed block away from taking a punt or kickoff return to the house.
The missing piece is Corbyn Dominguez. If Dominguez comes back, the Bulldogs could have tried a field goal and probably would have. Maupin said he considered it against Carlsbad but knew he did not have a kicker with Dominguez’s leg.
Dominguez’s return matters because a game could come down to a 50-yard field goal. If it does, he could be the difference in a state championship run.