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Three keys to the Bulldogs’ football team defeating Hobbs on Friday

JT Keith
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Three keys to the Bulldogs’ football team defeating Hobbs on Friday

JT Keith 

Artesia Daily Press 

jtkeith@elritomedia.com

Friday Night Lights will look a lot different for two of the state’s powerhouses football teams on Friday. The Hobbs Eagles (1-0) will come into the Bulldog Bowl for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Look for a lot of high scoring and hard-hitting action, as Artesia lost last year’s matchup 44-40. The contest had video game-like numbers as the Bulldogs ran 72 total plays and had 474 yards of total offense, while the Eagles ran 76 plays and had 473 yards of total offense according to Max Preps.

Last year’s game came down to the last possession, with the Bulldogs having a chance to win, according to Bulldogs coach Jeremy Maupin. 

Here are the things the Bulldog must do to secure a victory.

  1. The ‘Dogs (1-0) must slow down Hobbs’ running back Shamus Wright. According to the Hobbs News-Sun, the junior running back ran for 235 yards on 13 carries in the season-opening 41-13 victory over Lovington on Friday night. Artesia’s defensive line must confuse the big offensive line of Oliver Hernandez, Isaiah Morales, Ricardo Alvarez, and Max Garcia. Hobbs rushed for 381 yards on the ground against Lovington. 

In last year’s game, Artesia gave up 265 yards rushing, with Wright gaining 117 yards on six carries. He broke free for a 66-yard run but did not score.

  1. The ‘Dogs must make Hobbs’ quarterback Junior Medrano throw the ball. He is a first-time starter, and this will be his second game seeing action under the bright lights of the Bulldog Bowl on Friday. Against Lovington, Medrano had more yards rushing the ball, 87, than passing the ball, going 8 of 16 for 71 yards, according to the Hobbs News- Sun.
Provided | Jake Cooper

Artesia running back Bryce Parra breaks loose on a 75-yard touchdown run against Carlsbad Friday night.

  1. It is still August, so it will be hot, humid, and muggy at the start of the game, with fans packed in the stands on both sides. Artesia needs to be unrelenting and go after Hobbs’ defensive line. Artesia must tire out Hobbs’ two best defensive linemen, Jeremiah Mackey, who finished the Lovington game with two-and-a-half sacks and ended the Wildcats drives according to the Hobbs News -Sun. Also, Michael Meridyth, the Bulldogs must get them running side -to-side and make neutralize their pass rush.

“I think Mackey is really good,” Maupin said.

With the Bulldogs’ screen game and its ability to run the draw and throw the ball to its receivers on the line, allowing them to create in space, by the fourth quarter, the linemen should be tired.

“We have to have some sustained drives and get after these guys,” Maupin saidl

Artesia coach Jeremy Maupin is not afraid to go for it on fourth down; he went for it both times and called passing plays, which resulted in a first down conversion.

Down and distance mean nothing to Maupin. In last year’s game, the ’Dogs were in a third-and-25 at their own 25-yard line, and Maupin called a draw play to tailback Bryce Parra, who picked up the first.

If last year’s game is any indication of the winner, whoever has the ball last could win the game.

Las Vegas delivers third truckload of supplies to Ruidoso

Michael Smith
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Las Vegas delivers third truckload of supplies to Ruidoso

El Rito Media News Services

This city recently delivered a third truckload of essential supplies to Ruidoso, continuing its commitment to support a neighboring community in crisis.

Ruidoso continues to face the devastating aftermath of recent wildfires followed by severe flooding. The situation remains dangerous, with flash flood threats occurring on a weekly basis, further compounding the hardship for displaced residents and delaying recovery efforts. The City of Las Vegas recognizes the emotional and physical toll this has taken and remains dedicated to offering compassion, support, and aid to those affected.

City Manager Robert A. Anaya and Mayor David Romero led the recent delivery effort, accompanied by Project/Program/Outreach Liaison Jimmy Saiz and Public Works Director Arnold Lopez.

During their visit, they met with Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford, the village manager and fire chief, and toured several of the hardest-hit areas to better understand the community’s ongoing needs.

Las Vegas is continuing to accept donations for Ruidoso through Aug. 31. Community members are encouraged to contribute what they can to help ease the burden on families and individuals still struggling. Items currently being accepted include: bottled water, tissue paper, bug spray, laundry detergent, dish soap, wet wipes, clorox wipes, toothpaste and toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, diapers, and dog and cat food.

Donations can be dropped off at designated collection points throughout the city. For more information, please contact the City of Las Vegas at 505-454-1401, ext. 1006.

Immigration raids are a defining moment for Latinos

Michael Smith
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Immigration raids are a defining moment for Latinos

Mary Sanchez

Before the leader of one of the most respected immigrant rights organizations in the nation could get on a flight and come to Missouri, she was issued a threat by one of the state’s politicians.

Sen. Josh Hawley targeted Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), in June.

Hawley sent her a letter, questioning if the California organization she leads was “aiding and abetting criminal conduct.” Specifically, the claim was that her organization was “bankrolling civil unrest.”

Hawley’s letter blamed Salas for widespread protests in Los Angeles, the city’s pushback against immigration raids.

The senator demanded that CHIRLA provide a slew of records — emails, texts, media talking points, donor lists, strategies and any financial records of money that might have been spent in protesting the immigration raids carried out by Homeland Security and other federal agencies.

She came to Kansas City anyway.

On August 5, Salas was a speaker at the UnidosUS convention, the largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the nation. Of all the invited participants, she drew the most fervent applause, second only to UnidosUS President and CEO, Janet Murguia.

Murguia is from Kansas City and comes from a well-known family with deep commitments to public service.

Salas’ session was packed, standing room only at the large convention center. She spoke boldly, unequivocally, detailing how in early June CHIRLA began hearing community reports of men, women and some children being held in the basement of a federal building because space had run out in the municipal detention center.

Raids were being conducted across L.A., she said, with federal agents taking people into custody suspecting that they were undocumented.

“We never imagined what was to come,” Salas said. “Our city was overtaken by a federal immigration military force of masked men in military convoys with automatic rifles and other armaments of war.”

The sweeps continued for more than 50 days, with roving patrols of federal agents rounding up people across the city, including at day labor sites and at bus stops.

“The terror only stopped because of our sustained protests,” Salas said – protests along with a class action lawsuit, she added, involving other civil rights organizations.

Shortly before she left L.A. to travel to Kansas City, a temporary restraining order was upheld by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The order is to stop indiscriminate immigration stops and arrests in seven Southern California counties, including Los Angeles.

“The majority of the protests that brought thousands of people into the streets, they were peaceful, and they were nonviolent,” she said.

Salas’ deepest message was to a specific group.

Eight in 10 Latinos are U.S. citizens. At more than 66 million people, Latinos as a demographic are the nation’s largest minority group. Salas spoke to all of them: “I stand before you and I ask you to fight for our rightful place in this country,” she said. “To use your social, your economic, your political power to stop these injustices and the brutality that has been unleashed against us all.”

Appearing on the same panel with Salas was David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union California. Huerta detailed how he had been arrested in June during a protest. He was held in jail for three days, charged with conspiracy to impede an officer, before being let out on bond.

“They hear your voices on the inside,” Huerta said. “Your voices do resonate when they are detained.”

He too emphasized a reaction of nonviolence as being essential to this moment as the Latino community resists the raids and sweeping arrests of undocumented people.

The following day, August 6, federal agents in L.A. conducted what has been called Operation Trojan Horse. Early in the morning, near a Home Depot store, agents were hidden in the back of a rented Penske truck. When the back door opened, they piled out to conduct a raid.

Reports are that more than a dozen immigrants were arrested on suspicion of being undocumented. That news broke long after the panel discussion ended and conference goers attended other sessions.

But it struck with weight in Kansas City.

One Saturday in late May, dozens of members of the white nationalist group Patriot Front had piled out rented U-Haul’s near downtown Kansas City and paraded themselves through the streets. Some carried Confederate flags and chanted about “reclaiming America.”

They didn’t stay long. Police, and citizens who began to protest the group’s presence, were soon on the scene.

But the masks the Patriot Front wore, their uniform outfits, and certainly the use of the rented moving trucks, were eerily similar to the news footage of the agents who took part in the Trojan Horse operation in L.A.

The images, side by side, gave a chilling new weight to the challenge issued by Salas: “This is a defining moment for the Latino community,” she said. “We belong here. This is our home.”

(Readers can reach Mary Sanchez at msanchezcolumn@gmail.com and follow her on Twitter @msanchezcolumn.)

Sen. Paul and GOP colleagues lend a hand

Michael Smith
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Sen. Paul and GOP colleagues lend a hand

Todd Fuqua

Artesia Daily Press

tfuqua@elritomedia.com

District 33 State Sen. Nick Paul (R-Alamogordo) brought some Senate colleagues to Ruidoso Aug. 17 to “see what happened here over the last two years” and help distribute supplies to flood victims.

Paul represents parts of Lincoln, Chaves and Otero counties, including Ruidoso. Joining him to distribute supplies at First Christian Church were fellow Republican Sens. Bill Sharer from Farmington, Pat Boone from Elida, Candy Ezzell of Roswell, David Gallegos of Eunice, Pat Woods of Portales and Ant Thornton from Sandia Park.

“It’s a five-hour drive from Farmington, so he isn’t able to get down here frequently,” Paul said of Senate minority floor leader Sharer. “If we can bring them here to get firsthand accounts from the residents, it helps us to go back to Santa Fe and advocate for what the community needs.”

Paul said the trip to Ruidoso was part of an overall retreat organized for Republican senators to connect with constituents.

“We were able to volunteer our time, but more importantly hear the stories and impacts the local folks are experiencing.”

Also on hand was Nikkee J-Clees, founder of Locals Helping Locals, who has helped distribute supplies at First Christian Church for the past two years.

“We’ve partnered with churches, the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and we’re all helping out the community,” J-Clees said. “We’re more boots on the ground. When we’re called to help, we respond. We’re trying to offer solutions.”

“I’ve been more blessed than I should be, and there’s so many that have been affected by the floods when I haven’t,” she said. “I believe in paying it forward, which is why we’re doing this.”

Todd Fuqua is Editor for the Ruidoso News and can be reached on Instagram at @toadfox1.

National Championship Air Races reveal full competitor lineup

Michael Smith
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National Championship Air Races reveal full competitor lineup

Current-Argus Staff Report

The National Championship Air Races (NCAR) are thrilled to unveil the official field of competitors for the 2025 debut in Roswell taking flight Sept.10–14. For the first time ever, the world’s fastest motorsport will roar into Roswell, adding edge-of-your-seat aerial competition to the region’s proud aviation legacy. Fans can look forward to the very best race pilots across multiple classes battling it out in a showdown of speed, skill, and daring unlike anything else on earth. For tickets or more information, visit www.airrace.org.

“Unveiling our race field is one of the most exciting moments leading up to race week,” said Fred Telling, chairman and CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association, producers of NCAR. “This lineup showcases the incredible dedication, passion, and spirit of our race teams and we can’t wait to welcome fans from around the world to Roswell to witness history in the making.”

From the breathtaking, thundering velocity of the Jet Class and the classic roar of the T-6 Class to the nimble turns of Formula 1 and Biplanes, plus the daring ground-level fast turn skills of STOL Drag, fans can expect five days of unforgettable competition. Each aircraft and pilot carries with them the legacy of decades of racing tradition, now written into a bold new chapter in New Mexico, aptly named the “Land of Enchantment.”

Competitors for each class are as follows:

Biplane Class

• #3: Sam Swift

• #6: Jeffrey Lo / Rob Bennett (Alt.)

• #8: Michael Langston

• #13: Jeffrey Lo

• #17: Andrew McVicker

• #25: Tommy Suell

• #66: Tom Marden

• #314: Scott Prewitt

• #411: Blake Prewitt

• #831: Joshua Saddlemire

Formula 1 Class

• #00: Chet Harris

• #10: Mark McIntyre

• #31: Joshua Watson

• #52: Trent Woodworth

• #57: Carl Robinson

• #72: Dominic Cacolici

• #79: Justin Phillipson

• #81: Drew Keenan

• #82: Andrew Mack

• #85: Eric Dienst

Jet Class

• PACE: Phillip Fogg / Rick Vandam (Alt.1) / Mike Steiger (Alt.2)

• #1: Bob McCormack

• #6: Bob McCormack

• #8: David Sterling

• #11: Jerry “Jive” Kerby

• #16: Kevin Roll

• #55: Nathan Harnagel

• #61: Tammy Camilleri / Charles Camilleri (Alt.)

• #84: Scott Gusakov

• #90: Mark Davis

• #100: Bill Culberson

STOL Class

• #11: Rod Hewitt

• #11: David Kerley

• #22: Jeffrey Whiteley

• #27: Harry Beaupre

• #40: Patrick McInteer

• #44: Steve Henry

• #48: Eddie Sanches

• #62: Austin Clemens

• #75: Tony Sanches

• #84: Aaron Greear

• #85: Cathy Page

• #96: Doug Tolbert

T-6 Class

• PACE / #21: Ben York

• #5: Joey “Gordo” Sanders

• #18: Lee Oman

• #19: Michael Sisk

• #43: Christopher LeFave

• #50: Vitaly Pecherskyy

• #66: Vic McMann

• #90: Greg McNeely

With the competitor field now set, the countdown to the 2025 National Championship Air Races is officially underway. Fans can expect not only thrilling races, but also spectacular air show acts, incredible military and civilian displays, and the inspiring STEM Discovery Zone powered by GRADD. In addition to the competitors, announcements around the air show performer lineup will also be released within the next week.

Photos from Artesia’s 48-24 victory over Carlsbad on Friday night at Ralph Bowyer Caveman Stadium

JT Keith
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JT Keith | Artesia Daily Press
Artesia and Carlsbad at the coin flip before playing on Friday, August 22.
Artesia quarterback #12 introduces himself to Carlsbad quarterback #5 Eloy Lopez before playing on August 22.
Artesia winning the toss and receives the kickoff. Artesia would score on its first possession of the game.
The Artesia Bulldogs get ready to run out before the game against Carlsbad on Friday, August 22.
Artesia breaks through the paper to play the game.
Go Bulldogs!!
Bulldogs on the Bulldog pile.
Artesia Bulldog and its fans stand for the national anthem before playing.
Bulldogs on offense before the start of the game.
Artesia quarterback Derrick Warren picks up a first down against Carlsbad on Friday.
Bulldogs running back Bryce “White Lightning” Parra scores on a touchdown run.
Artesia’s Javen Arrendondo locks up a Carlsbad receiver during the game on Friday, August 22.
The Bulldogs after scoring of its touchdowns against Carlsbad on Friday, August 22.

Thousands of tarantulas to surface this fall

Michael Smith
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Thousands of tarantulas to surface this fall

El Rito Media News Services

ALBUQUERQUE — This year, thousands of tarantulas are predicted to emerge in larger than average numbers throughout New Mexico than the past as male tarantulas leave their burrows, wandering to find a female to mate with.

In a statement to the Daily Lobo, Jerome Rovner with the American Arachnological Society wrote that tarantulas mating is an annual occurrence. This year, he said there is predicted to be a higher number of males due to wetter-than-usual weather.

“Wetter conditions provide more insect prey to eat and also make digging a burrow in the soil easier — both factors increase the ability for tarantulas to survive and show up in greater numbers than usual,” Rovner wrote.

Wade Harrell, owner and founder of the Santa Fe Reptile and Bug Museum wrote that breeding season for local tarantulas begins with the monsoon rains.

“They have a narrow window of time when the weather is agreeable and the females are receptive, if they time it wrong the females may eat them,” Harrell wrote.

Tarantulas hunt centipedes, millipedes, beetles and smaller spiders and they are prey to hawks, owls, coyotes, foxes, snakes and tarantula hawk wasps, according to the National Park Service.

Rovner wrote that the tarantulas may be getting a bit more attention in the media this year due to the higher-than-usual population density.

According to the National Park Service, tarantulas have existed for more than 16 million years with 900 species across the world.

“There is nothing to fear from tarantulas. Despite their size, they do not have powerful enough venom to harm a person in a serious way. Their main defense is irritating hair called ‘urticating hair;’ they can flick off their abdomens toward a threat,” Harrell wrote.

Females may live 30 to 40 years, spending most of that time in their burrow, while males typically live less than a year after they reach maturity at 2-5 years because of the dangers of venturing out of their burrow to find a female.

Jillian Grandinetti is a sophomore biology student at the University of New Mexico performing research at the Museum of Southwestern Biology on Wolf Spiders.

“It’s just similar to the other semi-annual and annual insect patterns, like the monarch butterflies going down to Mexico, or cicadas that live underground for 17 years and emerge to mate,” Grandinetti said.

The National Park Service advises kindness towards the tarantulas, letting them proceed on their mission to provide for future generations of tarantulas, according to their website.

“It’s not like (tarantulas) are coming out to get you or freak you out. It’s part of their life cycle, and it’s not an invasion, this is where they live and have always lived,” Grandinetti said.

Around Town

Michael Smith
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Around Town

Artesia High School Homecoming Parade

The Artesia High School Student Council would like to announce the 2025 Homecoming Parade.

DATE: Friday, September 26, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.

THEME: “Bulldogs Take on the World!”

OPPONENTS: Lovington Wildcats (school colors: royal blue and white)

Registration forms are available at Artesia High School, 575-746-9816. Entries received after Thursday, September 18, 2025, will be assessed a $10 late fee.

For more information, contact Jennifer Humble (jhumble@bulldogs.org) or Ashley Mason (amason@bulldogs.org)

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Artesia Stitchers

August 11, 18 & 25 @ 1:00pm The Artesia Stitchers is a group of people excited about creating through stitchwork such as needlepoint, cross-stitch, embroidery and more. Bring your project and come join this group weekly at the library. Ages 18+

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 Dungeons & Dragons

August 12, 19, & 26 @ 2:00 The D&D group will resume their weekly meeting at the library. This group meets Tuesdays from 2:00-6:00) Ages 13+

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Yarn United

August 13 & 27 @ Noon Whether you are crocheting, knitting, or just untangling the yarn, come and create and learn with other individuals. No matter your skill level, we encourage everyone to join us in creating with other yarnsters. (all forms of sewing and crafting welcome) Ages 18+

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Traveling Dumpsters

Artesia Clean and Beautiful, HF Sinclair and S Brothers will host the Traveling Dumpsters at the following locations:  July 25th -Aug 10th at Harvest Fellowship parking lot; Aug 11th – Aug 24th at Artesia Public Schools corner of Grand and 13th St (behind the APS Storage facility); Aug 25th-Sept 7th at Artesia General Hospital corner of 10th & Memorial Dr.  Please do NOT bring household hazardous waste.  For more information, please call 575-513-0143.

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After Hours Book Club

August 26 @ 6:00pm The After Hours Book Club reads the same great books as the Lunch Bunch Book Club, but we meet in the evening. So if your work schedule is what is preventing you from joining in, join us after hours. Age 18+

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Literary Lounge

August 28 @ Noon The Literary Lounge book discussion group reads books on all topics pertaining to books, literature, libraries, bookshops, librarians, authors, and more. August’s selection is the classic That Night at the Library by Eva Jurczyk. Books are available at the library and on Libby. Age 18+

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Vitalant Bloodmobile

August 23 @ 12:00 The Vitalant Bloodmobile will be in the Library’s south parking lot from 12:00 to 3:00.

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Artesia Quarterback Club

Will meet each Tuesday night at 6:30 pm at the Field House. All men are welcome to come support out football program. 

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Hamburger Fry

Artesia Quarterback Club is selling tickets for the annual hamburger fry $5 each. The hamburger fry will be at Bulldog Bowl on Thursday Aug. 14 from 5-7pm. Tickets may be purchased from a quarterback club member or during the scrimmage at the Bowl. 

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Head Start Enrollment

Registrations for 25-26 school year Mon/Thurs 9am-4:30 pm. For More information call 575-748-1141 or visit us at 504 W. Gage St.

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Bible Study

All ladies are invited to participate in a lunch hour Bible study covering the book of Genesis. Bible study begins August 7, 2025 and will continue on Thursdays through April 2026.  This Bible Study is from Noon until 1 pm at the First Baptist Church Total Life Center and is perfect for working or busy women. For more information, please call Rita Derrick at 575-513-1523.

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26th St. Construction

 26th St. will be closed both directions from W. Grand Ave. to W. Washington Ave. for Phase II of the 26th St. Reconstruction project. Phase II will take approximately 3 months to complete. For more information call 575-626-6013 or 575-626-5042. 

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GUIDED MEDITATIONS

Are held during the summer at First Christian Church at 11th and Bullock on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. It is free and all are welcome.

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PHLEBOTOMIST PROGRAM

Applications are now open for Artesia General Hospital’s certified phlebotomist program. To learn how to apply and for more information on this career opportunity, call 575-736-8178 or email foundation@artesiageneral.com.

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GRIEF SUPPORT

A Grief Group meets at 1:30 p.m. each Tuesday in the Saint Damien Center at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 1111 N. Roselawn Ave. Free support is offered in both English and Spanish. For more information, contact Nora at 575-308-3248.

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P.A.L.S.

People about losing safely meets at 9 a.m. Wednesdays at the Senior Center. For more information, call the Center at 575-746-4113.

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ALZHEIMER’S/DEMENTIA SUPPORT GROUP

Every other Tuesday  from 6:30pm-7:30pm at Artesia Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center -1402 Gilchrist Ave. RSVP to Helen at 575-746-6006.

A view of the Artesia boys soccer team 8-0 win against West Las Vegas on Thursday

JT Keith
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JT Keith | Artesia Daily Press, A look at Artesia coach Phillips Jowers

Artesia continues its winning streak over Carlsbad

JT Keith
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Artesia continues its winning streak over Carlsbad

JT Keith

Artesia Daily Press

jtkeith@elritomedia.com

A lot is made of the Eddy County rivalry, and rightly so, but not on Friday night. The Artesia Bulldogs walked into Ralph Bowyer Caveman Stadium like they owned the place. The Bulldogs scored touchdown after touchdown in a 48-24 win.

Bulldogs’ head football coach Jeremy Maupin said his team looked sharp in its first win of the season. Maupin said his team made a bit of a statement after last week’s scrimmage, when some people may have doubted them.

“I thought we had a real good start to the season,” Maupin said. “There are things we have to fix, but it was a really good start to the season.”

Here are three reasons the Bulldogs won:

Big plays

In the first quarter, after being stopped short of a first down at its 28-yard line, Bulldogs’ coach Jeremy Maupin went for it on fourth and 5. The Bulldogs picked up the first down.

On the same drive, after a Carlsbad player was called for a facemask penalty, the ball was placed on its own 50-yard line. Bulldogs’ running back Bryce Parra then scampered 41 yards with 8:54 left in the first quarter, scoring the Bulldogs’ first touchdown of the season. Placekicker Corbyn Dominguez added the point-after touchdown to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

“Bryce (Parra) was really good for us last year,” Maupin said. “He was probably a little overshadowed because Frankie Gallindo was so good for us. Bryce (Parra) is really just a hardworking kid. His hard work paid off and he had a great night tonight.”

The next big play was when Artesia’s quarterback Derrick Warren, who was making his first start of his career, threw a screen pass to Parra. That pass went for a 76-yard touchdown, giving the Bulldogs a 27-7 lead in the second quarter with 7:10 to play.

The fourth big play of the game came when Warren threw a 37-yard touchdown to wide receiver Trent Egeland to make the score 34-7 with 4:33 to play in the second quarter.

“I thought that he (Warren) moved in the pocket well and made some good throws,” Maupin said. “He commanded the offense really well for his first full game. I am excited for where he is.”

The fifth big play for the Bulldogs was when the Bulldogs offense had the ball on the Caveman’s 7-yard line, and Warren ran an option pitching the ball to Parra, who passed it in the end zone to Egeland for a 7-yard touchdown pass to give the ‘Dogs a 41-7 lead.

Capitalized on turnovers

Carlsbad had two fumbles and one interception.

A Carlsbad runner fumbled at the Artesia 10-yard line after picking up a first down on fourth and 2 in the Artesia 10-yard line. Bulldogs’ linebacker Marco Soto Jr. scooped up the fumble at the Bulldogs’ 10-yard line and ran it back for a 90-yards for a touchdown. This came after the Cavemen picked up a first down and appeared to be heading into the end zone to tie the game at 14-14.

“I have not watched it on film,” Maupin said. “Our coaches said on film that the runner was up, and Marco (Soto) … I thought our kids did a really good job of really ripping the ball a lot, forcing some turnovers. And it seemed when they (Carlsbad) got closer to the goal line, we (Artesia) ripped the ball even harder. I think Marco (Soto) ripped the ball out and took off running. It was a huge shift in momentum for our team. Marco is one of our captains and leaders, and I am really excited for how he played tonight.”

Another costly turnover for the Cavemen was when quarterback Eloy Lopez threw an interception to Bulldogs’ cornerback Edel Villa, who returned the ball to the Carlsbad 37-yard line. That interception set up a Bulldog score, as the Bulldogs scored on a touchdown pass on the next play.

Maupin’s fourth down gambles pay off

With 4:14 left in the third quarter, on fourth and 5 at the midfield, Parra ran an option to the right side and converted for a first down.

The first down conversion led to a 35-yard touchdown run by Parra, making the score 48-17 with 1:58 in the third quarter.

In the first quarter on its first series of the game, Artesia had the ball at its 28-yard line and went for it on fourth and 5. Parra picked up a first down on a draw play, which continued the drive. Later in the drive, Parra scored on a 41-yard touchdown with 8:54 in the first quarter.

“When I became head coach,” Maupin said, “I told my first defensive coordinator that ‘I am aggressive now. I always think I can get the first down.’ “Sometimes it gets me in trouble, but we were talking on the headset, and I said, ‘Guys, I really like this play, and what do you think? Every coach was like, ‘ Yes, yes, yes.’ We have two big receivers (Egeland and Jack Byers) that are really good at going up and getting the ball, and they fall forward. We have confidence that either one of those guys will get us the first down, so we called the slant and got the first down.

Stats Highlights

Offense

Artesia rushed the ball 25 times for 205 yards.

14 receptions for 133 yards.

14 of 21 attempts 133 yards.

1 fumble.

9 penalties 103 yards.

5-of -9 on 3rd downs.

2-of-2 on 4th downs.

Allowed one sack.

Bryce Parra had 12 carries for 195 yards, 237 yards of total offense and three touchdowns.

Derrick Warren was 9 of 15 109 yards with 1 TD, and a quarterback rating of 111.9.

Parra was 1 of 1 six yards one touchdown.

Egeland had four receptions for 59 yards and two touchdowns.

Defense

Marco Soto Jr. had 14 tackles, and two fumble recoveries.

Edel Villa had 11 tackles and one interception

Daelon Pacheco had seven tackles.

jtkeith can be reached at 575-420-0061, or on X@JTKEITH1.

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