By Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

The Artesia Bulldogs’ 57-21 victory over the Lovington Wildcats Sept. 27 in Lovington may have put New Mexico’s 5A football class on notice as the season rolls toward the November playoffs.

Lovington was undefeated going into the game but when it was over the Wildcats were 5-1 overall and 2-1 in District 5-2A – and the Bulldogs were in first place with a 3-0 district record. Artesia is 4-2 overall and seeking a third straight 5A state championship.

There was excitement in the air as kickoff approached at Wildcat Stadium with Lovington fans looking for a victory over the defending champs. Artesia quickly put a damper on the enthusiasm, grabbing a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Lovington ended the opening period on a positive note with an offensive drive that carried over to the second quarter but the drive was derailed by a fumble and Artesia running back Frankie Galindo scored on a one yard run. A Diego Lopez pass to Jaden Waldrip gave the Bulldogs a two-point conversion and a 22-7 lead with 9:45 showing on the clock.

A Lovington fumble on the Bulldogs’ kickoff gave Artesia the ball on the Wildcats’ 27 and the visitors added seven more points on Galindo’s 13-yard TD run and Corbyn Dominguez’s extra-point kick.

The teams traded possessions with no more scoring until Artesia quarterback Izac Cazares found the end zone on a three-yard run with 47 seconds left in the half.

The Wildcats answered with five seconds remaining before intermission as Jayden Gutierrez caught a 44-yard pass from quarterback Matthew Prudencio. The two-point conversion failed and Artesia led 36-13.

The Bulldogs scored three touchdowns in the second half and Lovington posted its final TD of the night early in the fourth quarter as Camon Ochoa scored on a six-yard run.

The Bulldogs will visit Santa Teresa at 7 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 3) and then are off until Oct. 11.

Offensive Stars of the Game:
Passing:

Izac Cazares: 9/16 for 170 yards, 3TD, 2INT

Rushing:

Frankie Galindo: 11 carries for 134 yards, 3TD

Cazares: 9 carries for 38 yards, 1TD

Receiving:

Galindo: 2 catches for 64 yards, 1TD

Jack Byers 3 catches for 61 yards, 1TD

Defensive Stars of the Game:

Ayden Huffman: 1 Sack, 1 INT

Scoring Summary:

First Quarter

Artesia-Frankie Galindo 41-yard run, Corbyn Dominguez kick, 11:37, 7-0

Lovington-Ondalis Cardenas 6-yard run, Caleb Aranda kick, 6:20, 7-7.

Artesia-Jack Byers 32-yard pass from Izac Cazares, Dominguez kick, 3:45, 14-7

Second Quarter

Artesia-Frankie Galindo 1-yard run, Diego Lopez to Jaden Waldrip pass good, 9:45, 22-7

Artesia Frankie Galindo 13-yard run, Dominguez kick, 8:15, 29-7.

Artesia-Cazares 3-yard run, Dominguez kick, :47 36-7

Lovington-Jayden Gutierrez 44-yard pass from Matthew Prudencio, two-point conversion attempt fails, :05, 36-13.

Third Quarter

Artesia-Ethan Conn 21-yard pass from Cazares, Dominguez kick, 7:31, 43-13

Artesia-Frankie Galindo 41-yard pass from Cazares, Dominguez kick, 3:48, 50-13.

Fourth Quarter

Lovington-Camino Ochoa 6-yard pass from Prudencio, Cardenas run good, 11:10, 50-21.

Artesia-Bryce Parra 10-yard run, Dominguez kick, 8:35, 57-21.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or follow on X @MSmithartesianm.