ARTESIA, N.M. (KRQE) – In Artesia, second place isn’t good enough. The Bulldogs football program has racked up 32 state titles since 1950, and the team fell just short of No. 33 in 2024. The loss to rival Roswell in the state title game has lit a fire under the team heading into 2025.
“This year we decided to come out here and play harder than we have never played before,” said linebacker Marco Soto. “That’s what is driving us this year, to get that blue (trophy).”
“We embrace that pressure, and these guys want nothing more than to be the next ones to put something on the press box,” head coach Jeremy Maupin said.
This season, the Bulldogs are full of experience. Forty Seniors are on the roster with strong depth on the defense, especially the secondary.
Artesia, a 5A school, opens the season against three-straight 6A opponents. The Bulldogs open up on the road against Roswell on Friday, August 22.
