PICTURED: Jack Byers speeds through the end zone for a seven-yard touchdown on a pass from Derrick Warren to put Artesia up 35-0 and set the mercy-rule clock in motion with 10:18 to go in the third quarter Saturday at Bulldog Bowl.
(Photo by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)
There's nothing like the changing of the seasons at Bulldog Bowl.
The transition from Friday night lights to Saturday afternoon sunshine is always a little bittersweet, simultaneously signaling a beginning and a swiftly approaching, inevitable end. Older fans spent time in the stands reminiscing about Thanksgiving Day championship games past. A sparkling Christmas tree could be seen in the window of a nearby business.
For the Bulldogs themselves, of course, the most important season change is always the last: the third season. The playoffs.
More often than not, the 'Dogs have earned a bye through the first round, and while that's a privilege reserved for the top teams in the class, it also creates a rather palpable sense of urgency. Everyone is eager to get back on the field, to take that first step and see where everyone else in the state stands. When everything goes according to plan, your first game is also one of your last. One down, just two to go.
The boys in orange took that step from Top Four to Final Four in decisive fashion Saturday at the Bowl, defeating No. 8 Highland 49-13 to advance to the Class 5A Semifinal Round. They looked every bit the well-oiled machine in a showing that saw the starting offense score to cap all but the first of their six series on the day, the defense force seven consecutive Hornet punts -- while delivering a two-point conversion to boot -- and the special teams log Artesia's final two touchdowns of the day.
Highland learned early on that it was to be a long afternoon for their run-oriented offense, as senior back Jose Tapia was tackled for a loss attempting to round the corner on Tootie McNeil and sophomore William Anchondo for no gain by Miguel Soto trying to go the opposite way. Following an Edel Villa punt return, that set the Bulldogs up at midfield for their first possession, where they delighted the crowd by lining up in a T formation in tribute to the 1966 squad, the last Artesia team to defeat Highland for a state championship.
PICTURED: The Bulldog offense lines up in a T formation against the Hornets on their first play from scrimmage Saturday.
The Hornets would manage to strip the ball for a loss of 11 on the Bulldogs' second play to ultimately force a three and out. But after a Sergio Robles tackle of Tapia for a loss of two forced another Highland punt, the 'Dogs would embark on their inaugural scoring drive: a six-play, 63-yard effort that culminated in an 18-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Derrick Warren to Jack Byers, who used his size advantage to go up over Anchondo for the catch with 5:09 to go in the first. Another speedy exit for the Highland offense -- with assistance from Marco Soto and McNeil, who delivered respective tackles for losses of 12 and three yards -- set up Artesia's second TD: a 28-yard pass from Warren to Trent Egeland, who went up high just in front of the goal line to make the grab. A conversion run attempt failed, however, leaving the score at 13-0.
The 'Dogs kicked off the second quarter with a quick screen pass to Bryce Parra for what appeared to be a 64-yard score, but it would be called back for a blindside block. Warren and Co. were undeterred, however, as the QB sprinkled passes to Byers, Jett Fuentes and Sawyer Whitehead to complement a 14-yard run by Parra before the latter took it in from the six to make it 19-0. The Orange Crush defense would tack on the conversion, as safety Charlie Campbell launched a pass high into the corner of the end zone, where it was caught by cornerback McNeil.
Highland took the next seven minutes off the second-quarter clock on a drive from their own 35 to the Bulldog 41 that ultimately ended in a punt, but 1:35 turned out to be all the Artesia offense needed. Quick passes from Warren to Parra, Byers, Egeland and Cael Houghtaling propelled the 'Dogs from their own 33 to the Hornet one, and Parra would burst up the middle from there to set the halftime tally: 28-0.
PICTURED: Jack Byers leaps above Highland's William Anchondo to bring in an 18-yard touchdown pass from Derrick Warren.
(Photo by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)
The third quarter would begin much the same way, as Warren fired his way down the field from the Artesia 36 to the Highland nine on passes of 48, seven and two yards to Whitehead, Fuentes and Parra, respectively. He'd then hit Byers in stride as he dashed wide open into the end zone to make it 35-0 and put the mercy-rule clock in motion with 10:18 remaining in the period.
The Bulldogs' second string would enter the fray in the waning minutes of the third, with junior QB Lucas Atkins connecting with Layton Whitmire for 23 yards amidst a drive from the Bulldog 44 to the Hornet three. But on second and goal, Highland would strip the ball for a fumble that was recovered by the workhorse Tapia. The Hornets were unable to convert the game's lone turnover into points, but after the 'Dogs' first series of the fourth quarter ended in a turnover on downs at their own 37, Highland was able to take advantage of the short field. They'd prevent the shutout with a 16-yard touchdown run from Tapia, who went over 100 yards rushing on the play, with 5:30 to go in the game.
That touchdown ended up sparking a flurry of action in the final moments of the game. After head coach Jeremy Maupin requested a do-over on a Highland kickoff out of bounds, Parra would grab the next KO at the Artesia 17 and dodge one defender, heading up the home sideline and past two massive blocks before cruising into the checkerboard behind a vanguard consisting of Marco Soto. The 83-yard KOR came 15 seconds after the Hornets' first TD, and one minute later, Highland would post its second.
PICTURED: Bryce Parra follows Marco Soto into the end zone to cap an 83-yard kick return for a touchdown.
(Photo by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)
On second and 10 from his own 20-yard line, Hornet quarterback George Salzano sent a long pass out in front of a sprinting Tapia, who lunged hard to make the grab and kept on trucking for the 80-yard touchdown to make it 42-13 with 4:20 remaining. Fifteen seconds later, Artesia would set the final as the Hornets double-'Dog dared Parra and he accepted the challenge, returning yet another kickoff for a touchdown, this time evading a trio of tackles en route to a 76-yard score.
The Bulldog offense finished with 352 total yards Saturday despite the abbreviated second half, with Warren posting a passing percentage of 95. The senior was 21 of 22 for 278 yards and three touchdowns, two of those going to Byers, who led the receiving corps with seven catches for 83 yards. Whitehead was 2-61 and Egeland 3-47. The 'Dogs didn't turn to their ground game often, but Parra carried the ball eight times for 49 yards and two scores. Defensively, the Crush held the Hornets to 216 yards, 126 rushing and 90 passing. Highland managed just 53 of those yards in the first half, as the Artesia D logged five tackles for 22 lost yards and six tackles for no gain. Corbyn Dominguez was 5-5 in PAT.
With the victory, the Bulldogs improved to 10-1 on the season as they punched their ticket to the 5A semifinals, in which three of the four slots were claimed by Southeast New Mexico. The 'Dogs will be squaring off with Lovington (7-4) at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Wildcat Stadium. The No. 4 'Cats -- whom Artesia defeated 56-23 in their District 2-AAAAA meeting Sept. 26 at Bulldog Bowl -- topped No. 5 Goddard 28-14 in their quarterfinal Saturday in Lovington. Meanwhile, second-ranked Roswell High (8-3) blasted No. 7 Belen 51-0 Friday at Wool Bowl and will now travel to No. 6 Gadsden for a 2 p.m. bout Saturday. The Panthers defeated third-ranked Los Alamos 31-13 in their quarter.
Tickets for Saturday's semifinal in Lovington are on sale now and may be purchased via GoFan. Per the NMAA, all tickets must be purchased digitally; no cash sales will be conducted. The cost is $12 for adults, $8 for students, seniors (65+) and the military.
PICTURED: Trent Egeland skies at the goal line to receive a 28-yard touchdown pass from Derrick Warren to make it 13-0 Artesia.
(Photo by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)
STAT BOX
SCORING SUMMARY
FIRST QUARTER
Artesia- Jack Byers 18-pass from Derrick Warren (Corbyn Dominguez kick good), 5:09
Artesia- Trent Egeland 28-pass from Warren (run failed), 2:00
SECOND QUARTER
Artesia- Bryce Parra 6-run (Charlie Campbell to Tootie McNeil pass good), 8:25
Artesia- Parra 1-run (Dominguez kick good), :23
THIRD QUARTER
Artesia- Byers 7-pass from Warren (Dominguez kick good), 10:18
FOURTH QUARTER
Highland- Jose Tapia 16-run (kick failed), 5:30
Artesia- Parra 83-kick return (Dominguez kick good), 5:15
Highland- Tapia 80-pass from George Salzano (#20 kick good), 4:20
Artesia- Parra 76-kick return (Dominguez kick good), 4:05
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING
Artesia- Parra 8-49; Lucas Atkins 3-14
Highland- Tapia 28-117; Salzano 2-21; Isaiah Cheromiah 5-17; Jasper Groves 1-0; Albert Rodriguez 1-0; William Anchondo 4-(-16)
PASSING
Artesia- Warren 21-22-278-3-0; Atkins 2-5-22-0-0; Campbell 0-1-0-0-0; Dominguez 0-1-0-0-0
Highland- Salzano 5-9-90-1-0
RECEIVING
Artesia- Byers 7-83; Sawyer Whitehead 2-61; Egeland 3-47; Jett Fuentes 3-35; Parra 4-34; Layton Whitmire 1-23; Cael Houghtaling 2-18; Destin Pacheco 1-(-1)
Highland- Tapia 2-80; Cheromiah 3-10
TEAM STATISTICS
FIRST DOWNS
Artesia 17; Highland 10
RUSHING YARDS
Artesia 11-52; Highland 41-126
PASSING YARDS
Artesia 300; Highland 90
TOTAL YARDS
Artesia 352; Highland 216
PENALTIES
Artesia 5-60; Highland 2-20
TURNOVERS
Artesia 1; Highland 0