The Artesia Bulldogs unleashed an avalanche of points in a mercy-rule game, beating Deming 53-0 Friday night at the Bulldog Bowl.
Artesia scored on special teams and on the ground, but the Bulldogs were just as dangerous through the air. Quarterbacks Lucas Atkins and Chance Hocker combined for six touchdown passes, with Atkins throwing four and Hocker adding two. Atkins completed all 10 of his attempts for 215 yards and four scores.
The Bulldogs also must monitor running back Cristian Pando. A Deming defender body-slammed Pando, forcing him to leave the game. Artesia needs him healthy and back in form as the schedule gets tougher.
Now the challenge rises sharply. Gadsden arrives unbeaten after scoring at least 50 points in each of its first four wins. With Artesia’s offense finally running at high octane, here are three keys to beating the Panthers.
- Block out the Homecoming noise
The Bulldogs should enjoy the bonfire, rallies and everything that comes with Homecoming week. But the celebration cannot become the story before the game is played. The priority is a focused week of practice and a sharp performance Friday night.
“I told the team at the end of the Deming game the most important part of next week is Friday night at 7 p.m.,” Artesia coach Jeremy Maupin said. “It is not the bonfire or the Homecoming queen; that is for everyone else. We have to make sure we have a good week of practice and limit the distractions.”
- Locate Gadsden’s playmakers before every snap
Maupin said the Panthers will move their top threats around, so the Bulldogs must locate them before every snap. Senior running back Armando Ramirez has rushed for 489 yards and six touchdowns, while sophomore Izaak Carreon has 305 yards and six scores. Sophomore quarterback Rosalio Gomez Jr. has completed 49 of 69 passes for 777 yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions.
That balance makes Gadsden difficult to defend. Artesia cannot sell out against the run and give Gomez easy throws, but it also cannot sit back and let Ramirez or Carreon control the game. Communication, sound tackling and disciplined pursuit will matter from the opening kick.
- Turn promising drives into touchdowns
“We have to finish drives,” Maupin said. “We have to create explosive plays, and we have to go finish drives and sustain drives and finish with points.”
Maupin said Gadsden usually stays in its base defense and does not blitz much. That puts the burden on the Bulldogs to execute, control the tempo and turn opportunities into touchdowns. Empty possessions, penalties and missed assignments can swing a game against a team that scores in bunches.
Artesia showed against Deming how dangerous it can be when all three phases contribute. To beat Gadsden, the Bulldogs must bring that same energy against a much stronger opponent, keep the week about football, and make every possession count.