Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

Izac Cazares, Frankie Galindo and Ethan Conn could be considered triplets of Artesia High School’s offense. All three had a big night as the Bulldogs defeated the Goddard Rockets 55-20 in Roswell Friday night.

The victory came one week after the Bulldogs were defeated by Roswell’s other high school, the Roswell High Coyotes, 44-40 at Bulldog Bowl in Artesia.

Artesia head coach Jeremy Maupin said the Bulldogs (6-3, 5-1) played well against the Rockets (2-7, 1-5)

“(We) made plays in all facets (of the game),” he said after the victory.

Artesia scored on a 60-yard drive to open the game as Conn scored on a 1-yard run in the opening two minutes of the first quarter.

Backup quarterback Derrick Warren completed a pass to junior wide receiver Trent Egeland for the 2-point conversion as the Bulldogs led 8-0.

Artesia scored again with 8:04 left in the opening quarter as Cazares, the starting quarterback, threw a 62-yard strike to junior running back Bryce Parra.

Corbyn Dominguez booted the extra point kick as Artesia extended the lead 15-0.

Nearly four minutes later, Conn, a senior split back, scored another touchdown on a 67-yard pass from Cazares. The 2-point conversion was no good as Artesia upped the score to 21-0.

The Rockets started to put up a fight against the Bulldogs in the closing stages of the first period as quarterback Izaiah Montoya completed an 11-yard to junior wide receiver Josiah Castillo.

Goddard could not convert the extra point attempt as Artesia’s lead was trimmed to 21-6.

With 20 seconds remaining before the end of the opening period, the Rockets recovered an onside kick and scored the second touchdown of the game early in the second quarter as Jose Porras scored on a 26-yard reception.

Kicker Nathan Reed made the extra point attempt as the Rockets were within striking distance as Artesia led 21-13 with 11:11 left before halftime.

Artesia’s offense went to work on its opening drive of the second quarter as Galindo, a senior running back, capped a 45-yard drive, with a 27-yard touchdown run.

The 2-point conversion was no good as the Bulldogs found some breathing room leading 27-13 with 9:16 left in the second period.

Artesia’s defense fizzled Goddard’s opening drive of the second period. Galindo scored nearly five minutes later on a 46-yard run, capping an eight-play, 76-yard drive.

Dominguez kicked the extra point attempt as the Bulldogs led 34-13.

Artesia got some extra space with 3:11 left before halftime as Goddard could not handle the kick off.

Cazares scored on a 30-yard touchdown run and Dominguez made the extra point kick as the Bulldogs remained on top 41-13.

With 48 seconds showing on the scoreboard, Conn scored another touchdown, as Artesia coasted for the rest of the game. Dominguez made the extra point and the Bulldogs led 48-13 at halftime.

“(Maupin was) proud to turn around and play well after a tough game last week,” he said.

The Bulldogs final touchdown of the night occurred with 6:14 left in the third quarter as junior wide receiver Jack Byers scored on a 2-yard pass from Warren as Maupin gave the reserves some playing time.

Dominguez booted the extra point as Artesia led 55-13.

Goddard’s final touchdown of the night occurred with 8:22 left in the game as Reed scored on a 2-yard touchdown run. He also kicked the extra point for the Rockets.

At 1 p.m. Nov. 2 in Las Cruces at the Field of Dreams, the Bulldogs end the regular season against Mayfield.

Scoring Summary
1st Quarter

Artesia-Ethan Conn 1-yard run, Derrick Warren to Trent Egeland for 2-point conversion, 9:58, 8-0.

Artesia-Bryce Parra 62-yard pass from Izac Cazares, Corbyn Dominguez kick, 8:04, 15-0.

Artesia-Cazares 67-yard pass to Conn, 2-point conversion no good, 3:57, 21-0.

Goddard-Izaiah Montoya 11-yard pass to Josiah Castillo, kick blocked, :23, 21-6.

2nd Quarter

Goddard-Jose Porras 26-yard touchdown reception, Nathan Reed kick, 11:11, 21-13.

Artesia-Frankie Galindo, 27-yard touchdown run, 2-point conversion no good, 9:16, 27-13.

Artesia-Galindo 46-yard touchdown run, Dominguez kick, 4:06, 34-13.

Artesia-Cazares 30-yard touchdown run, Dominguez kick, 3:11, 41-13.

Artesia-Conn 70-yard touchdown catch, Dominguez kick, :48, 48-13.

3rd Quarter

Artesia-Jack Byers 3-yard touchdown reception, Dominguez kick, 6:14, 55-13.

4th Quarter

Goddard-Reed 2-yard touchdown run, Reed kick, 8:23, 55-20.

Offensive Stars of the Game:

Passing: Cazares 10/13 327 yards, 4TDs

Receiving: Conn 5-catches, 174 yards 3TDs

Rushing: Galindo 6 carries 114 yards, 2TDs

Defensive Star of the Game:

Grant Johnson 4 ½ solo tackles

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