ARTESIA — With the Bulldogs off to their first 0-3 start in 43 years, sophomore Kia Greathouse answered the call.
Greathouse scored three touchdowns, including an 82-yard return on the opening kickoff, as Artesia routed Deming 53-0 Friday night at the Bulldog Bowl.
“I told the guys that I wanted a dominating win,” Artesia coach Jeremy Maupin said. “Offensively, I think we scored every time we had the ball. We had a no-points-on-the-scoreboard shutout.”
The lone blemish was a missed extra point, and Maupin said the kicking game remains an area to address.
Greathouse strikes early, often
Greathouse changed the tone immediately, returning the opening kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown.
He did more than ignite the return game. Greathouse caught four passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns from quarterback Lucas Atkins.
“I thought Lucas threw the vertical ball really well,” Maupin said. “Our offensive line had a good game, and I am really excited about where we are.”
Artesia’s quarterbacks combined to complete 15 of 17 passes for 300 yards and six touchdowns. Atkins completed all 10 of his attempts for 215 yards and four scores. The Bulldogs added 74 yards rushing.
Xadrian Puentes scored on a 47-yard reception, Layton Whitmire caught three passes for 37 yards and a touchdown, Tyler Egeland added a 37-yard scoring catch, and Logan Rodriguez rushed twice for 41 yards and a touchdown.
Jaden Fernandez added a 10-yard touchdown catch. Artesia’s reserve quarterback Chance Hocker completed 5 of 7 passes for 85 yards and two scores.
Artesia wide receiver Layton Whitmire scores a touchdown against Deming on Friday night at the Bulldog Bowl.
No. 3 Gadsden awaits
Artesia (1-3, 1-0 District 2-5A) opened what Maupin calls its “second season” with a convincing win. The No. 5 Bulldogs host No. 3 Gadsden (4-0) at 7 p.m. Friday at the Bulldog Bowl.
Gadsden beat Mayfield 56-21 Friday. Artesia defeated the Panthers 35-7 last season in a game called after halftime because of rain and lightning.
“They have not played the same schedule we have,” Maupin said. “They have dominated everyone they have played, and the coaches we have talked to have said they are a sound and really disciplined football team.”
Tough schedule hardens Bulldogs
Maupin said nobody wanted to enter district play 0-3, but the record did not tell the full story. Carlsbad, Hobbs and Centennial were ranked in the Class 6A top 10.
“We have been battle-tested,” Maupin said. “I don’t think there is any team that has been as battle-tested as we have, going back to our scrimmage against Las Cruces. We played four really good opponents.”
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