By JT Keith

The spring scrimmage New Mexico State University’s football team played at the Bulldog Bowl on Saturday was supposed to introduce the Aggies to Artesia and southeastern New Mexico.

Coach Tony Sanchez wanted to get “eyes on the Aggies” and make NMSU football accessible to the state’s southeastern region. He hoped families from Artesia, Carlsbad, Portales, Ruidoso, Loving, Lovington and Hobbs would bring their kids to the game and have a good time.

“We don’t want just part of New Mexico supporting us,” said Sanchez, an Aggie teammate of former Artesia quarterback Ty Houghtaling and receiver David Patterson, respectively, in the 1994-1995 seasons. “We need all of New Mexico supporting us.”

Bad weather ruins the game

Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate. Forecasts called for rain and cold temperatures, but no one could have predicted how Mother Nature would ruin the day.

Fewer than 20 people were in the stands, and the game turned into a weather nightmare. From the 10 a.m. start to the finish at about 11:30, the players endured a mix of sleet, rain and snow with winds ranging from 8 to 16 mph. The temperature was 35 degrees, but it felt like 10 degrees as the wind swept from left to right inside the stadium.

NMSU benefits from being in Artesia

Even so, Sanchez said, all was not lost, and the weekend benefited his team. Sanchez had dinner with Aggie boosters on Friday night, NMSU put on a coaching clinic for area high school coaches, and the trip to Artesia allowed the Aggies to get a taste of the travel facing the team once the season begins.

The city of Artesia benefits from the game

The scrimmage was cut short because of the weather, but Artesia benefited economically from having the Aggies in town.

Consider the one-night New Mexico State stayed in Artesia: The Aggies split their lodging between two hotels with half the team staying at the Sparks by Hilton and the other half at the Best Western Pecos Inn.

The team had a meal catered by Lucky Duck on Friday night and ate at First Baptist Church, where Houghtaling is the pastor. Lucky Duck also catered breakfast on Saturday. And Alma’s catered lunch on Saturday after the game – a grab-and-go to the bus.

Economically, the game was a win for Artesia as it generated lodger tax money and food income the city would not have seen if NMSU had played its spring game at home in Las Cruces. With better weather the next time the Aggies come calling, the economic impact could be even greater.

“It was a great experience,” Artesia head football coach Jeremy Maupin said. “They (NMSU) have a great staff that did a coaching clinic for us Friday. They did some admission things for our kids. The game was great and, overall, we enjoyed it. If the weather had been better, it would have been perfect.”

Bad weather does not stop football

Bad weather does not cancel football games unless there is lightning. If there is lightning, the stadium is vacated, and players go to their locker rooms for 30 minutes or until the lightning passes.

NMSU tried to play

Once the team individual period ended, NMSU scrimmaged offense versus defense. The conditions made a mess of the game, causing fumbles, overthrows, underthrows, footing problems, bad snaps and missed tackles. The scrimmage lasted only about 90 minutes, ending after the seventh of 14 periods that were planned.

Sanchez didn’t blame Artesia for the bad weather and said he expects to return.

“We appreciate Artesia High School and the entire city,” Sanchez said. “It was great getting up here and breaking some bread and meeting some nice people. It was great getting up here, and it won’t be the last time we’re here.”