No one saw it coming: Artesia running back Cristian Pando scored on an 8-yard touchdown run against Roswell to cut the Bulldogs’ deficit to 24-17 with 3:24 left in the game.
The run mattered because Pando was filling in for injured all-state running back Bryce Parra. The touchdown helped the Bulldogs win their 33rd state title in the 2025 season.
Fast-forward to the second intra-squad scrimmage Friday, Aug. 7, and the first play from scrimmage saw Pando take a handoff and rush 85 yards for a touchdown. It was not his only long run of the day.
Pando seems to be on a mission to prove it is his time, along with the Bulldogs’ other 35 seniors.
Pando pushes for bigger role
Pando said his goal is to rush for more than 1,500 yards this season.
“I thought Pando had a really good summer,” Maupin said.
Next test comes against Las Cruces
The Bulldogs will practice for their scrimmage against Las Cruces on Thursday before getting ready for the Eddy County War at 7 p.m. Aug. 21.
“I am really happy with where we are coming off this summer,” Maupin said. “I thought we had a good week last week; we just need to continue getting in shape and get used to that hot weather, so we are excited.”
Defense creates momentum
Maupin said he is happy that his defense is swarming to the football, getting through blocks and making big plays. The defense scored three touchdowns on three pick-sixes and added another interception.
“Defensively, we had some big turnovers,” Maupin said. “It was really good to see a different defense playing. There are a lot of good things, but there are things we have to fix that show up on tape before we play Carlsbad.”
Maupin said defensive lineman Bradley Duncan dislocated a finger Thursday and was back playing Friday night. After the scrimmage and after watching film, Maupin said Ivan Chavez had a good scrimmage and Colt Moziejko returned an interception for a touchdown. Ulises Montanez played well at corner, and Elijah Carrisco, who has developed over four years, also had a good game and will play inside linebacker. Maupin said Carrisco had a strong camp and summer.
“It is really good to see these guys have a good summer,” Maupin said. “A lot of people think we reward seniors because they are seniors. To see these guys develop over time and earn the right they have — we don’t play every senior. I think people think that. We don’t. These guys have earned everything they have gotten.”
Offense looks close to breaking through
On offense, Maupin said the Bulldogs are close to hitting some of their vertical passes. They did not connect on them Friday, but he hopes they will when the regular season begins.
Tyler Egeland played running back and had a long run. Maupin said Egeland is a player the Bulldogs have to use this year. Destin Pacheco had a catch, and Layton Whitmire and George Blackburn IV made big plays.
“I thought Egeland has had a really good summer,” Maupin said. “I really thought our offensive line has come along this summer.”
Maupin said many of this year’s players played as much as some of the Bulldogs’ state championship players did in 2025. He said Derrick Warren was in his first year playing, and Parra, who had played other positions, was in his first year at running back. Two slot receivers also had not played much the year before.
“I really think a lot of people think, oh, we are senior heavy,” Maupin said. “But we are senior heavy this year; we have 35 seniors again. A lot of these guys played as much as some of those guys who were really good for us last year. What I love is that these guys believe it is their time, and they want to prove they can do it.”
An Artesia running back outruns the defense for a touchdown in its scrimmage on Friday at the Bulldog Bowl.
Senior class ready for its turn
Maupin said he remembers watching this group of seniors play seventh-grade football. They have grown, gotten better, and know it is their time to shine.
“I think Lucas (Atkins) had a really good summer at quarterback,” Maupin said.
Maupin said he is excited about this season and told his coaches this spring and summer that this might be one of their favorite teams to coach. Expectations are low, and people do not think the Bulldogs will be good. Now, Maupin said, they get to coach.
“We get to prove ourselves and get after it,” Maupin said. “We know how to develop kids and work in the weight room, and we know how to do things to get kids ready to go. I am excited and have been excited, and I think there is a lot of potential in this group.”