MOST RECENT SPORTS WRAPS
• 'Dogs come up a shot short in Eddy County War; Lady 'Dog soccer places second at Alien City Invite; Bulldog soccer picks up first win
• 'Dogs come up a point short in Hobbs; volleyball, boys' soccer place fifth at tournaments
• 'Dogs' sights now set on district play; Lady 'Dog soccer picks up two big road wins; boys' soccer ties at abbreviated Challenge Cup; netters finish seventh at Sweet 16

BULLDOG FOOTBALL

PICTURED: Above, Deion Loya (52) wrangles Deming quarterback Richard Holguin as Brandon Baeza (67), Ivan Chavez (10) and Zeke Robles (49) move in to help complete the sack for a loss of seven.
(Photo by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)

As all sports fans know, there are three seasons to any campaign: the first one, where they don't count; the second one, where they start to; and the third, where it's win or go home. It feels odd, of course, for the second season to begin in Week Four, but in the era of district opponents that aren't even in your vicinity, such is the case. And in the case of the second season, the Artesia Bulldogs are 1-0 -- with a bark on it.

The boys in orange kicked off District 2-AAAAA play Friday at Bulldog Bowl with a dominant showing against Deming, ending the game via the 50-point mercy rule, 53-0, with 1:04 still to go in the third quarter. The 'Dogs' (1-3, 1-0) regular-season struggles have been a hot topic over the past few weeks in New Mexico high school football. But as the Sea of Orange and the nation alike commemorated the 25th anniversary of 9/11 in America's semiquincentennial year -- with, appropriately, Artesia High School's Bicentennial Class of 1976 looking on amidst their 50-year reunion -- what is truly important took priority. For example, the simple purity of two high-school football teams competing under the lights on a September Friday, with the smell of popcorn and impending autumn in the air. On a stage that should remind everyone of the true meaning of "united", the hometown team shone.

In a nutshell, Artesia couldn't have done better against the Wildcats. After returning the game's opening kick for a touchdown, the Big Orange offense scored to cap all seven of its series on the night. Senior quarterback Lucas Atkins was a perfect 9-9 in his two quarters of play, throwing for 177 yards and three touchdowns amidst 375 total yards of offense. The Orange Crush defense pitched a shutout, forcing five punts and three turnovers on downs over the course of the bout while holding the 'Cats to just 104 yards. Overall, the 'Dogs most definitely earned their early night.

PICTURED: At top, Kai Greathouse returns the opening kick 82 yards for a touchdown as Layton Whitmire looks on. Above center, Tyler Egeland steps over the goal line to cap a 37-yard touchdown run. Above, Elijah Carrasco upends Deming running back Landon McBurney.
(Photos by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)

It all started with the starburst, from which sophomore return specialist Kai Greathouse emerged with the ball and headed toward the far sideline. Only two Wildcats even had a chance at him; Bradyn Partlow dispatched the likeliest candidate, while Tyler Egeland knocked the other out of bounds, and from there, it was clear sailing. Layton Whitmire provided an escort just in case as Greathouse legged out the 82 yards to paydirt to put Artesia up 6-0 -- following a failed conversion attempt -- just 15 seconds into the game.

A quick three and out later, the Bulldogs were back in the end zone on their first play from scrimmage, as Egeland scampered 37 yards untouched to make it 12-0. Another quick punt was followed by another TD, this time a 41-yard pass from Atkins to a wide-open Greathouse, who caught the ball at the 19 and covered the rest with 5:55 still to go in the first. Deming was able to convert on fourth and three for their inaugural first down in their third possession before sophomore QB Richard Holguin broke a 15-yard run to take them to midfield. The 'Dogs' defensive front would force a turnover on downs from there, however, and Artesia opened the second quarter with a two-play touchdown drive that saw Atkins hit Whitmire for 17 yards before connecting again with Greathouse for a 42-yard score that took him over the 100-yard passing mark.

PICTURED: At top, Logan Rodriguez barrels through a pair of Wildcat defenders toward the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown run. Above center, Layton Whitmire looks a seven-yard TD pass from Lucas Atkins into his hands. Above, Atkins prepares to deliver a pass as Cristian Pando looks to block.
(Photos by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)

In between two more Deming punts, the Bulldogs would continue tacking on to their tally, scoring at the 7:16 mark of the second quarter on a powerful 15-yard run by Logan Rodriguez, who eluded a pair of defenders all the way back to the 27-yard line before bursting up the home sideline and knocking his final two would-be tacklers aside on his way over the goal line. And after four consecutive carries by Cristian Pando, Atkins would find Whitmire wide open in the end zone from seven yards out to make it 40-0 with 4:54 remaining in the half.

The Wildcats were able to breach Artesia territory for just the second time on the contest in their final drive of the half, but Holguin was sacked for a loss of seven on fourth and four by Zeke Robles, with assistance from Partlow, to usher in intermission with a turnover on downs. The second half would thus begin with a running clock via the 35-point rule as the game sped toward its abbreviated conclusion.

PICTURED: At top, Jaden Fernandez brings in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Chance Hocker with 7:16 to go in the third. Above, Cristian Pando looks for running room.
(Photos by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)

The 'Cats punted away their first possession of the third, after which the 'Dogs' second-string offense entered the fray with immediate results. Rodriguez split a pair of defenders for a 26-yard run on the second play to set Artesia up at the Deming 15, and following a false-start penalty and a 10-yard keeper by sophomore QB Chance Hocker, Hocker would spot Jaden Fernandez in the end zone, who turned away from his defender for the 10-yard touchdown catch to make it 47-0.

Deming's most successful series of the night would be their last. Sophomore Jordan Milo was able to reel in a 46-yard pass from Holguin off the helmet of his defender, and the Wildcats would work their way to the Artesia 28 from there. They'd come up a yard short on fourth and four, however, for a turnover on downs that led to the game's final score. With help from a Hocker pass to junior Andres Ortiz -- who caught the ball at the Artesia 35 before plowing through a pair of defenders en route to the Deming 47 -- the 'Dogs were able to cap their district-opening win in exciting fashion, as junior Xadrian Puentes snagged a screen pass from Hocker at the 48-yard line, maintained his balance along the sideline after eluding a Wildcat DB, and sped into the end zone to secure the 53-0 mercy rule.

PICTURED: At top, Derek Lopez dives in to trip up Deming RB Landon McBurney. Above, John Rodriguez sacks Wildcat QB Richard Holguin for a loss of 10.
(Photos by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)

The Bulldogs' 375 offensive yards were split 256-119 between the air and ground games. In addition to Atkins' 9-9-177-3-0 outing, Hocker was four of six for 79 yards and two touchdowns. Greathouse led the receiving corps with four catches for 109 yards and two TDs, and Puentes and Whitmire were 1-47 and 3-36, respectively, with a touchdown catch apiece. Pando, who unfortunately exited the game with an injury late in the first half, was 8-38 rushing, Rodriguez carried the ball two times for 41 yards and a touchdown, and Egeland was 1-37 with a score.

The Crush held both Deming's rushing and passing game under 100 yards at 31 and 73, respectively. McBurney finished with 15 yards on six carries and Holguin -- who was sacked four times -- with 11 yards on 15 carries. Holguin was four of eight passing for 71 yards, 54 of those covered by Milo on three receptions. The 'Dogs' four sacks came courtesy of Robles, 2-(-9); John Rodriguez, 1-(-10); and Deion Loya, Brandon Baeza, Ivan Chavez and Robles, 1-(-7). The Crush also had two tackles for a combined loss of two and three tackles for no gain.

The Bulldogs will now prepare to host a 2026 Homecoming game that is by no means a gimme. Undefeated Gadsden (4-0) is currently ranked third in Class 5A in the NMOT Coaches' Poll and second on MaxPreps. As the classification's sixth-ranked team in 2025, the Panthers reached the state semifinal round before being eliminated by Roswell High. They've been arguably untested to this point, however, with their four wins coming over Class 5A unranked Santa Fe Capital (62-8) and Mayfield (56-21), Class 4A unranked Santa Teresa (57-7), and 3A fourth-ranked Silver (51-14).

Game time is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at Bulldog Bowl, and tickets may be purchased in advance via GoFan by clicking here. Physical tickets may also be purchased by cash or check from 8 a.m. - noon Friday in the AHS Athletic Office at Bulldog Pit.

STAT BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

FIRST QUARTER
Artesia- Kai Greathouse 82-kick return (pass failed), 11:45
Artesia- Tyler Egeland 37-run (kick failed), 9:59
Artesia- Greathouse 41-pass from Lucas Atkins (Corbyn Dominguez kick good), 5:55
SECOND QUARTER
Artesia- Greathouse 42-pass from Atkins (kick failed), 11:27
Artesia- Logan Rodriguez 15-run (Dominguez kick good), 7:16
Artesia- Layton Whitmire 7-pass from Atkins (Dominguez kick good), 4:54
THIRD QUARTER
Artesia- Jaden Fernandez 10-pass from Chance Hocker (Dominguez kick good), 7:16
Artesia- Xadrian Puentes 47-pass from Hocker (no PAT), 1:04

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING
Artesia- Rodriguez 2-41; Cristian Pando 8-38; Egeland 1-37; Hocker 1-10; Ayden Kenyon 1-6; Atkins 1-(-13)
Deming- Landon McBurney 6-15; Richard Holguin 15-11; Anthony Franco 2-6; Robbie Sweetser 1-1; Jordan Milo 1-0; Hiram Nieto 2-0; Noah Carlos 1-(-2)
PASSING
Artesia- Atkins 9-9-177-3-0; Hocker 4-6-79-2-0
Deming- Holguin 4-8-71-0-0; Carlos 1-1-2-0-0
RECEIVING
Artesia- Greathouse 4-109; Puentes 1-47; Whitmire 3-36; Pando 1-19; Andres Ortiz 1-17; Destin Pacheco 1-13; Fernandez 1-10; Jordan Richardson 1-5
Deming- Milo 3-54; Michael Ortiz 1-16; #28 1-3

TEAM STATISTICS

FIRST DOWNS
Artesia 13; Deming 7
RUSHING YARDS
Artesia 14-119; Deming 28-31
PASSING YARDS
Artesia 256; Deming 73
TOTAL YARDS
Artesia 375; Deming 104
PENALTIES
Artesia 6-65; Deming 3-29
TURNOVERS
Artesia 0; Deming 0

BULLDOG VOLLEYBALL

PICTURED: Quinley Murray delivers the match-winning kill in the third set against Clovis during the Zia Classic Saturday, Sept. 12, at Goddard High in Roswell.
(Photo by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)

It was another action-packed week on unfamiliar courts for the Bulldog volleyball team, who opened Tuesday, Sept. 8, in Clovis before finding themselves in a quick rematch with the Class 5A Wildcats en route to the Zia Classic championship in Roswell.

The Artesia girls jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead Sept. 8 against Clovis on the road, handling the 'Cats 25-14 in Game One before edging them 25-23 in the second set. The home team wasn't about to go down without a fight, however, taking Game Three 25-23 and once again making things close against the Bulldogs in the fourth. But the Bulldogs rallied there to secure the 3-1 win, 25-22. Avery Frederick led the squad offensively with 14 kills, followed by Kenzie Padilla with 10 and Gracen Kuykendall with eight. Libero Breckyn Miller came through with 25 digs and three aces in the match, while Mariela Tovar and Kuykendall contributed 10 digs apiece, and Ellie McGaughy closed out with 38 assists.

The 'Dogs and 'Cats likely did not expect to see one another so soon after that meeting, but the two were back across the net from one another in the opening round of Gold Bracket play Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Zia Classic after finishing first and second, respectively, in Pool B and Pool A on Friday. Once again, the girls in orange jumped out to a 2-0 lead with 25-19 and 25-21 victories in the opening sets, and once again, Clovis made a charge in Game Three. The 'Dogs were able to go up 13-8 at the midway point on a three-point service from Kuykendall that included an ace and kills by Frederick and Padilla and were up a fairly comfortable 21-16 late. Four consecutive points by the Wildcats, however, in a service that was finally ended by a Kuykendall kill tied things up, and the 'Cats would take a 24-22 after an Artesia side-out. With the game on the line, though, Padilla would step to the line and deliver three straight, with sophomore Quinley Murray pounding both the 25th and 26th points in the 26-24 win to the court. Murray finished with seven kills in the match, Kuykendall with six, and Padilla and Harper Murray with five each. Miller and McGaughy logged 21 and 11 digs, respectively, and McGaughy also added 23 assists and a trio of aces.

PICTURED: Ellie McGaughy connects with a serve during the Zia Classic Saturday at Goddard.
(Photo by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)

The 3-0 victory and Goddard's 3-0 win over Organ Mountain in the top bracket's other semifinal set up an early District 4-AAAA preview between the Bulldogs and Rockets in the tournament championship. And while Artesia was in the mix in every set, Goddard was able to pull away at the end of each for the 3-0 win, 25-18, 25-22, 25-23.

The 'Dogs had the opportunity to build a lead in the early goings of Game One but struggled heavily with missed serves, allowing the Rockets to inch ahead instead, 12-8. Padilla would become the first to put together more than a single point from the line for Artesia, delivering three with help from a Quinley Murray kill to knot the game. But as side-outs continued to hinder the girls in orange, the Rockets were able to pull ahead late, 21-18, before ending the bout, 25-18, on three consecutive service points from Liv Flores.

With two service points apiece from Maegen Martinez and Miller and a Kuykendall ace, the Bulldogs led 12-8 early in Game Two. Four missed serves, however, would again stymie the 'Dogs' efforts, allowing Goddard to turn the tables, 19-18. Two points, including an ace, from Miller took Artesia over the 20-point mark first, 21-19, but three more from Flores returned the edge to the Rockets, 23-21. And following a quick side-out in the Bulldogs' final service, Goddard would take Artesia by surprise with a quick set over the net for game point, 25-22.

That left the 'Dogs needing a win to stave off the sweep, and from the onset, it looked as though they were well on their way. Padilla opened the contest with four points from service, aided by a kill and a block from Frederick and a tip-over by Murray. NMSU-bound Payton Abalos would end that run with a kill, however, her first of three kills for side-outs in the set. Goddard then got four straight points of their own from Harley Bowles to go up 8-5, and three from the line by Landry Brown six side-outs later expanded that advantage to five, 14-9. Padilla put together another big run late, this time serving up five, punctuated by a trio of aces. That brought Artesia back within one, 17-16, but they wouldn't get another service point until Goddard had gone back up 23-18. Padilla prevented match point with a kill in the Rockets' final trip to the line, and Miller was nearly able to send the game into extras with two points, including an ace. Rocket junior Olivia Riffell found open court for a kill, however, to end the game and the match, 25-23.

Padilla, Frederick and Harper Murray all notched five kills for runner-up Artesia; Miller and Tovar logged 18 and 10 digs, respectively; McGaughy finished with 25 assists; and Padilla posted four aces and Miller three.

With the 2-1 week, the Bulldogs improved to 7-4 on the season as they prepare for a bit lighter load this week. They'll travel to Hobbs for a 6 p.m. match today, Sept. 15, against the 5A Eagles before returning home to Bulldog Pit for the first time since Sept. 1 to square off against Alamogordo at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17. Tickets for Hobbs can be purchased by clicking here, and tickets for Thursday's match can be purchased by clicking here.

BULLDOG SOCCER

Tuesday, Sept. 8, found the Bulldog soccer team still seeking their first home-field win at the Mack Chase Athletic Complex. Through 78 minutes of soccer, they battled for that victory, just missing out on the game's elusive first goal four times in the second half. But unfortunately, with time running out in regulation, it was NMMI that was able to finally find the net on one of those goals that simply falls into place.

As the final seconds ticked away, Daniel Urbina sent a free kick sailing into the box, where senior Grantland Grant headed it high into the air just in front of the goal. The Bulldog keeper had come out in an attempt to make a leaping grab prior to the header and fell, leaving the net open for Grant to turn and tap the ball in for the 1-0 win. It was a frustrating outcome for the 'Dogs, who had come out strong following an uneventful first half that saw Artesia take just one shot on goal. The boys in orange had kept play firmly on the Colts' half of the field for the majority of the final 40 minutes, with Adan Alva having a solid shot saved in the 52nd minute; Samuel Nielson seeing a free kick into the box cleared and a bending attempt saved in the 58th and 64th minutes; and Jonathan Corza sending a powerful shot off the crossbar in the 60th.

The Bulldogs were able to get back to .500 on Saturday, Sept. 12, however, picking up a 4-0 win over fellow 4A team Valencia on the road in Los Lunas. Artesia netted two goals apiece in the first and second halves to move to 4-4-1 as they prepare to close out their 2026 pre-district season this week. They'll travel to Carlsbad at 6:30 p.m. today, Sept. 15, to take on the 5A Cavemen. The 'Dogs were scheduled to spend a portion of Saturday afternoon finishing up the remainder of their lightning-postponed game against Moriarty from the New Mexico Challenge Cup earlier this month, but the Pintos have cancelled that outing. Artesia is still attempting to reschedule both that game and their Challenge Cup game against Ruidoso.

Tickets for the Carlsbad game can be purchased by clicking here.

LADY BULLDOG SOCCER

PICTURED: Kacy Neel fires the ball into the net for Artesia's third goal of the game Tuesday, Sept. 8, against Santa Teresa at The Mack.
(Photo by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)

After having their intended home opener against Clovis Aug. 27 rescheduled, the Lady Bulldog soccer team had been living off the bus for the bulk of their 2026 regular season. On Tuesday, Sept. 8, the road warrior Artesia girls were finally home -- and they made the most of the occasion.

On AYSA League Night at the Mack Chase Athletic Complex, the girls in orange opened a soccer double-header with a strong win over fellow 4A Santa Teresa, taking a 2-1 lead into the half before closing out a 5-2 decision in the final 40 minutes. The girls in orange were in the driver's seat through the opening half of play, outshooting the Lady Desert Warriors 9-2 and making a pair of those attempts count. Artesia's first goal came off the foot of Abigail Jowers, who essentially deflected a cross from Jazlene Tovar into the net to put Artesia up 1-0 just seven minutes into the game. The 'Dogs made it 2-0 seven minutes later, and while the Desert Warriors were able to cut their deficit in half, 2-1, on a through ball just under two minutes after that score, the Bulldogs would maintain their one-point advantage to the break.

Kacy Neel worked her way through the midfield before firing one into the back of the net in the 52nd minute to give the Bulldogs some breathing room, and with the score at 4-1, Estrella Gutierrez scored in the 63rd minute on a long drop-in pass that made it 5-1. Santa Teresa made good on one last shot with time running out as Artesia improved to 6-2-1 with the 5-2 victory.

PICTURED: Niyah Medrano gets between the Lady Wildcat defense for the score Thursday, Sept. 10, at The Mack.
(Photo by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)

They'd add their seventh win of the season two days later in their second home appearance, taking an early 1-0 lead over Clovis and holding onto it for the duration. That goal came off the foot of eighth-grader Niyah Medrano, who systematically worked her way through the Lady Wildcat defense to fire in the game-winner.

The Lady 'Dogs are now headed into another busy week with a well-deserved three-game home stand. They'll host 5A county rival Carlsbad at 6 p.m. today, Sept. 15, at The Mack before welcoming 5A Organ Mountain to their home turf at 4 p.m. Thursday and hosting Moriarty at 11 a.m. Saturday. Tickets to the Carlsbad game can be purchased here. Tickets for the Organ Mountain game can be purchased here, and tickets for the Moriarty match can be purchased here.

AHS CROSS COUNTRY

After ushering in their 2026 season Aug. 28 in Cloudcroft, the Artesia High School cross country teams were back in the tall, cool pines Saturday, Sept. 12, for the Ruidoso Invitational. And both the Lady Bulldogs and Bulldogs would make their presence known on the tough, high-elevation course, placing first and second, respectively, out of fields of 14 and 18 teams.

The Lady 'Dogs' top four all finished in the Top 20 out of 112 runners, with junior Mckenna Drake leading the charge with a fifth-place time of 23:59.82. Close behind in seventh was senior Jema Molina with a 24:19.98, and sophomore Layla Shipman came in 12th with a 24:49.61. Also in the Top 20 at 19th was senior Aubrey Allison with a time of 23:38.92, while sophomore Sammi Medrano rounded out the team showing with a 25th-place 26:12.99. Junior Chloe Caley ran a 27:26.53 for 38th and sophomore Caylee Shockey at 28:24.50 for 53rd.

In the boys' runner-up race, senior Hector Arenas-Maldonado led the way with a sixth-place time of 19:06.51. On his heels in eighth was junior Edwin Villarreal with a 19:08.25, and sophomore Nathan Perez finished 18th with a 20:15.84. Coming in 30th, 32nd and 42nd, respectively, were sophomore Aaron Allison (21:06.41), senior Aedyn Moralez (21:25.70), and senior Xavian Hernandez (21:44.49).

The Lady Bulldog junior varsity squad also picked up a big win out of four teams at the meet, with all six of their competing runners placing in the Top 10. Topping the 32-runner field was sophomore Adianez Renteria with a time of 27:21.04, while sophomore Nori Larsen came in second with a 27:58.80. Placing fifth through eighth were junior Lexi Devenport (29:18.43), freshman Oriyah Pierre (29:42.14), senior Melaney Alvarado (30:02.05), and junior Annalee Sorrells (30:36.60). With just four runners competing, the Bulldog JV didn't place as a team but saw solid results from sophomores Elder Macias and Darey Pinon in 15th and 16th (24:45.46 and 24:51.19), junior Justin Rodriguez in 22nd (25:43.99), and freshman Amado Alvarez in 23rd (25:50.91).

The AHS runners will now have the week off before resuming their regular season at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Las Cruces Invitational.

(All Photos by Artesia Cross Country)

SPORTS TICKETING

Available online ticketing options for this week's scheduled sporting events:

Bulldog Football
vs. Gadsden (Homecoming)
7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18
Bulldog Bowl
Click here to purchase

Bulldog Volleyball
vs. Hobbs
6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15
Hobbs
Click here to purchase

vs. Alamogordo
6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17
Bulldog Pit
Click here to purchase

Bulldog Soccer
vs. Carlsbad
6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15
Carlsbad
Click here to purchase

Lady Bulldog Soccer
vs. Carlsbad
6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15
The Mack
Click here to purchase

vs. Organ Mountain
4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17
The Mack
Click here to purchase

vs. Moriarty
11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19
The Mack
Click here to purchase