Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

Quarterback Izac Cazares threw three touchdown passes and slotback Ethan Conn scored twice as the Artesia Bulldogs surged to a 36-0 first quarter lead last week (Oct. 4) on their way to a 57-0 road victory over Santa Teresa.

New Mexico’s 50-point mercy rule was invoked at the end of the second period, boosting the Bulldogs’ record to 4-0 in District 5-2A and 5-2 overall.

Santa Teresa is 0-6 in league play and 1-6 overall.

Artesia is off this week before returning to action Oct. 18 at the Bulldog Bowl in a rematch of last year’s 35-21 victory over Roswell High School in the 5A state championship game.

The Bulldogs’ were none the worse for wear after traveling more than 200 miles to the southern New Mexico town of Santa Teresa near El Paso, Texas, pouncing on the Warriors with a 49-yard touchdown run by Conn at the 10:21 mark of the opening period. Derrick Warren threw a pass to Ayden Huffman for the two-point conversion and Artesia led 8-0.

Artesia scored again with six minutes left in the quarter as Cazares completed a 15-yard pass to Caleb Murray for a 14-0 advantage. Artesia missed the extra point try.

Less than three minutes later, Cazares threw a 22-yard strike to Bryce Parra for the Bulldogs’ third touchdown of the game and Diego Lopez ran for the two-point conversion to stretch the lead to 22-0.

The Bulldog defense stopped a Santa Teresa offensive drive with 2:38 left in the first quarter when Jayvien Garcia returned an interception 15 yards for a touchdown. Gael Ruiz converted the extra point kick and Artesia was in command, 29-0.

The Bulldogs recovered a Warrior fumble on the ensuing kickoff and Cazares capped a five play, 18-yard drive with a 28-yard touchdown toss to Conn. Ruiz kicked the extra point with 2:01 left as Artesia extended the lead 36-0.

Artesia continued the onslaught In the second quarter with TD runs by Frankie Galindo, Ray Ray Cano and Derrick Warren.

Offensive Stars of the Game:
Passing:

Izac Cazares: 7/11 for 163 yards, 3TD

Rushing:

Frankie Galindo: 3 carries for 49 yards, 1TD

Ethan Conn: 49-yard TD run

Receiving:

Ethan Conn: 2 catches for 77 yards, 1TD

Defensive Stars of the Game:

Grant Johnson: 4 tackles, 1 TFL

Axel Hartley: 2 tackles, 2TFL

Jayvien Garcia: 15-yard interception return for TD

Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter

Artesia-Ethan Conn 49-yard run, Derrick Warren pass to Ayden Huffman for two-point conversion, 10:21, 8-0.

Artesia-Cazares 15-yard pass to Caleb Murray, extra point no good, 5:56, 14-0.

Artesia-Cazares 22-yard pass to Bryce Parra, Diego Lopez runs two-point conversion, 3:00, 22-0.

Artesia-Jayvien Garcia 15-yard interception, Gael Ruiz kick, 2:38, 29-0.

Artesia-Cazares 28-yard pass to Conn, Ruiz kick, 2:01, 36-0.

2nd Quarter

Artesia-Frankie Galindo 39-yard run, Ruiz kick, 11:38, 43-0.

Artesia-Ray Ray Cano 4-yard run, Ruiz kick, 6:12, 50-0.

Artesia-Warren 1-yard run, Ruiz kick, 1:46, 57-0.

Mike Smith can be reached by phone at 575-308-8734 and can followed on X @MSmithartesianm.