By Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press

Offense was the main course in Las Cruces Saturday afternoon as the Centennial Hawks defeated the Artesia Bulldogs 70-39 at the Field of Dreams.

The Bulldogs’ opening drive looked promising early in the first quarter, as Artesia drove deep into Centennial territory before the Hawks defense stopped the Bulldogs.

Head coach Jeremy Maupin opted for a 34-yard field goal attempt. Corbyn Dominguez kicked Artesia to an early 3-0 lead.

The lead was short-lived as the Hawks struck twice in the first quarter thanks to a pair of touchdown runs from quarterback Zaiden Davis.

Davis finished the game with 18 carries for 393 yards and six touchdowns.

The Bulldogs responded with one minute to go in the first period as quarterback Izac Cazares threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Ethan Conn, who had three touchdown receptions in the loss.

Artesia made the two-point conversion to cut Centennial’s lead to 14-11.

The Hawks extended their lead with 2:50 left before left before halftime as Rudy Rios scored on a five-yard run. The extra point kick was good to make the score 21-11.

On Artesia’s third offensive drive of the second quarter, Cazares threw a 67-yard touchdown pass to Conn. The extra point was good and Centennial had a three-point lead, 21-18.

The Hawks answered with a two-yard touchdown run and extra point kick for a 28-18 advantage with 1:47 left before halftime.

The Bulldogs quickly came back with a score of their own as Cazares connected with Conn for a 48-yard touchdown pass. Artesia converted the extra point kick to cut the deficit to three points, 28-25.

Centennial struck again In the final minute of the first half on a 58-yard touchdown run by Davis and led 35-25 at halftime.

Centennial extended the lead to 49-25 In the third quarter before Cazares threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Trent Egeland to make it 49-31 with 1:11 left. Artesia could not convert the 2-point conversion.

On the Hawks’ opening drive of the fourth quarter, Davis scored on a 63-yard run and the extra point kick was good for a 56-31 lead and Centennial never looked back.

Artesia’s final score in the second half was a 62-yard pass from Cazares to Egeland with 10:48 left in the fourth quarter. The 2-point conversion was good as the lead narrowed to 56-39 in favor of the Hawks.

Offensive Stars of the Game:

Izac Cazares: 36/48 479 yards passing. 5 TD’s.

Frankie Galindo: 16 yards rushing on 8 attempts.

Ethan Conn: 6 catches for 162 yards. 3 TD’s, including a 67-yard TD.

Defensive Stars of the Game:

Miguel Soto: 7 tackles, 7 assists.

Kaden Grantham: 2 tackles, 5 assists.

Tootie McNeil: 4 tackles, 3 assists.