By Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press

A three-peat awaits the Artesia Bulldogs football team in 2024 and Friday’s season opener against the Carlsbad Cavemen is the first step back to the postseason.

Last season the Bulldogs claimed state title number 32 in a 35-21 win over the Roswell Coyotes at the Bulldog Bowl.

The win marked Artesia’s second 5A title in as many seasons for head coach Jeremy Maupin.

Last year in the Eddy County War in Carlsbad, Artesia defeated the Cavemen 55-7 in the first game in the march toward the state title.

Along with last year’s win, the Bulldogs are on a two-game winning streak against the Cavemen. In 2022, the Bulldogs won in a 30-27 thriller.

Gone for the Bulldogs is championship quarterback Nye Estrada. Iza Cazares takes his place at signal caller.

Maupin offers a scouting report on the Cavemen on B1 of today’s Artesia Daily Press sports section.

Mike Smith may be reached at 575-308-8734 or via email at msmith@currentargus.com and may be followed on the X social media platform @MSmithartesianm.