Mike Smith

Artesia Daily Press

msmith@currentargus.com

During the 2024 football season the Artesia Bulldogs have had a three-way offensive attack.

Saturday (Nov. 23) at the Bulldog Bowl quarterback Izac Cazares, running back Frankie Galindo and wide receiver Ethan Conn led Artesia to a 50-14 victory over Las Cruces Mayfield in the semifinals of the state 5A football playoffs.

It was the second time this season the Bulldogs defeated Mayfield. The first was the regular season finale in Las Cruces Nov. 2 42-28.

The No. 2 seed Bulldogs face No. 1 Roswell next week for the championship in Roswell in a rematch of last year’s title game, which the Bulldogs won in Artesia.

The Coyotes downed the Gadsden Panthers 49-21 in the other semifinal contest Saturday afternoon in Roswell.

The Bulldogs (9-3) are seeking its 33^rd state title and third straight in the last three years.

Cazares finished the game with 304 yards total offense. On the ground he had seven carries for 144 yards and a touchdown. In the air he completed 11 of 15 passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns.

Galindo scored two touchdowns on seven carries for 123 yards.

His first touchdown came on Artesia’s opening drive of the first quarter as the Bulldog defense stopped the Trojans opening drive.

Corbyn Dominguez converted the extra point kick as the Bulldogs led early 7-0.

Cazares scored his only running touchdown in the opening stages of the second quarter rushing for an 89-yard score.

Dominguez made the extra point kick and the Bulldogs extended the lead 14-0.

Galindo’s second touchdown of the day put the game out of reach for the Trojans. The senior’s 33-yard run capped a six play 80-yard drive as Artesia made the 2-point conversion and led 22-0 with 7:33 left before halftime.

“We knew if we got some early touchdowns that it gets them out of their game plan. We ran the ball really well this afternoon. Just proud consistent effort,” said Bulldog head coach Jeremy Maupin after the game.

Cazares threw touchdown passes to Conn, Trent Egeland and Bryce Parra during the contest.

Conn had eight catches for 96 yards and a one touchdown in Artesia’s playoff victory.

Artesia’s secondary picked off the Trojans four times, senior Haden Harcrow had two interceptions.

“Secondary played well, it all starts up front, and our secondary we force them to throw the ball. They don’t want to do that much over there and our front forced them and our offense getting points the on the board and then it just helped our athletes in the secondary make some plays and they made some plays down the stretch,” Maupin said.

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