Mike Smith

Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

Facing a district foe for the second time this season has taken on a new meaning for Artesia High School head football coach Jeremy Maupin.

At 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Bulldog Bowl in Artesia, the Bulldogs host the Lovington Wildcats in the second round of the 5A state playoffs.

Artesia, the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, was off last week while the Wildcats defeated Roswell Goddard 55-21 in the opening round Nov. 9.

Lovington is the No. 7 seed and is one of six teams from District 5-2A still in the playoffs.

The Bulldogs defeated the Wildcats 57-21 in a Sept. 27 regular-season game in Lovington.

During the off week, Maupin and his coaching staff prepared for the possibility of facing either the Wildcats or the Rockets for the second time in 2024.

“It’s always hard to beat a team twice,” he said after scouting the Saturday game in Lovington.

Maupin said the bye week allowed the Bulldogs to heal up and rest up from a campaign that began with summer workouts as they prepared to defend last year’s 5A state championship.

“This time of the season its such a grind. It’s a good thing (to rest),” he said.

Maupin expects the Bulldogs to see a different Lovington team this week than they saw in September. The Wildcats had 436 yards total offense in the victory over Goddard – 99 yards passing and 337 yards rushing.

Lovington’s 5-foot-10 quarterback Matthew Prudencio has proven to be a double offensive threat this season, completing 202 passes for 2,722 yards and 33 touchdowns. On the ground he has carried the football 62 times for 273 yards with one touchdown.

Wildcat senior running back Ondalis Cardenas is another potential problem for Artesia’s defense. The 5-foot-8 senior has 121 carries for 861 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Lovington junior split back Jayden Guitierrez is Prudencio’s favorite receiving target with 52 catches for 739 yards and 11 touchdowns.

“We’re going to get their best game,” Maupin said. “We expect them to throw in some different wrinkles and anticipate (some) changes.”

The Bulldogs have been paced this season by the offensive trio of senior quarterback Izac Cazares, senior running back Frankie Galindo and senior split back Ethan Conn.

Cazares assumed the role of full-time quarterback this year after playing several offensive positions in 2023.

The 6-foot-2 Cazares has completed 143 passes for 2,578 yards with 34 touchdowns. On the ground he has carried the football 85 times for 602 yards and scored 13 touchdowns.

At 5-foot-9, Galindo’s statistics have proven he is a double threat for Artesia’s offense. He has rushed for 759 yards on 94 carries and scored 12 touchdowns.

As a receiver he has caught 25 passes for 375 yards and three touchdowns.

The 5-11 Conn has 44 catches for 1,001 yards this season with 16 touchdowns.

Maupin expects Saturday’s game to be a physical contest. The winner advances to the semifinals next week.

“The unknown part of the playoffs is being able to make adjustments on a quick and easy basis and limit turnovers,” he said.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or email at msmith@currentargus.com.