The obvious good news: The Artesia Bulldogs got a win. No one felt good about a 0-3 start — not the players, the coaches, the head coach, or the fans.
The Bulldogs played hard and could have won their first two games against Carlsbad and Hobbs. In fact, an extra point against Hobbs could have delivered the team’s first win.
Each week, coach Maupin said he liked that his team played hard and did not quit. He also said the ’Dogs would be fine once district play began. So far, he is right.
Here are three things the Bulldogs did well against Deming.
1. Special teams set the tone
Special teams were special again. It did not take long for the Bulldogs to make the Wildcats regret kicking off. Artesia ran the Starburst, and sophomore sensation Kai Greathouse took a handoff, made one Deming tackler miss, and was off to the races. The return set the tone.
2. The vertical passing game clicked
Bulldogs quarterback Lucas Atkins had underthrown and overthrown receivers at times this season. On Friday night, he was mostly accurate and connected on deep balls. More important, Atkins gave his receivers chances to make plays and looked composed behind center.
The team is in the second season of its schedule, when every loss matters for district playoff seeding. Atkins now has four games under his belt and a coach who believes in him. He showed the leadership to keep his torrid play going, completing all 10 of his passes for 215 yards and four touchdowns in the first half. The Bulldogs will need him, and he should grow more comfortable behind center each week.
Andres Ortiz catches a pass and runs with the ball against Deming on Friday night.
3. The swagger returned
The Bulldogs played with confidence and belief. The defense punished the Wildcats’ offense, and the Artesia offense was unstoppable.
Maupin has said he wants his team to play with swagger and confidence. The Bulldogs are coming into their own as seniors and first-year starters gain valuable experience in important minutes and games.
The 53-0 mercy-rule victory was exactly what the team needed. Next, an undefeated Gadsden team comes to the Bulldog Bowl looking to spoil homecoming for Artesia fans.