Artesia and Las Cruces High School aim to advance to state football championship games
The 5A and 6A playoffs across New Mexico are down to the final four teams and the Artesia Bulldogs and Las Cruces Bulldawgs are looking to advance to next week’s title games with hopes of bringing state championship trophies to their respective communities.
Here is a closer look at the opposition.
Farmington Piedra Vista at Artesia
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Records: Artesia 10-1, 2-1; Piedra Vista 6-5, 3-0
Last week: Artesia defeated Los Alamos 57-14; Piedra Vista downed Albuquerque Valley 30-6.
Tickets: Are available online at https://gofan.com
More: Ethan Conn's 4 touchdowns help Artesia blasting the Goddard Rockets 54-14 at Bulldog Bowl
Top players to watch: Artesia-SB, Ethan Conn (averages 103.8 receiving yards per game), RB Frankie Galindo (averages 102 rushing yards per game and has 18 touchdowns); Piedra Vista-TE Brig Keiser, QB Felipe Begay, WR Hunter Schwartz.
The Scoop: Artesia is the No. 2 seed in 5A and Piedra Vista is the No. 3 seed. Saturday’s contest will be a rematch of the 2022 5A title game as the Bulldogs beat the Panthers. Artesia is seeking its 32nd state title. The winner plays either Deming or Roswell in next week’s title game.
Las Cruces at Albuquerque La Cueva
When: 7 p.m. Friday at Wilson Stadium
Records. Las Cruces 7-5, 4-1; La Cueva 8-3, 4-0
Last week: Las Cruces edged crosstown rival Centennial 38-34; La Cueva defeated Farmington 45-6.
Tickets: Are available online at https://gofan.com.
More: Centennial edges Las Cruces High in season finale to finish district play undefeated
Broadcast: Kool Oldies 104.5 FM and 570 AM in Las Cruces.
Top players to watch: Las Cruces-RB Daniel Amaro (last week against Centennial had 122 yards rushing), WR Nate Libby (caught 2 touchdown passes last week against Centennial) La Cueva-WR Tanner Montano (averages nearly 100 yards reception per game), QB Cameron Tanner (averages 112 yards rushing per game).
The Scoop: Las Cruces is the No. 7 seed in the 6A playoffs and upset the No. 2 team last week at the Field of Dreams in Las Cruces in a hard fought contest. La Cueva is the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. The winner faces either Rio Rancho High School or Rio Rancho Cleveland in the championship game next week.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Artesia and Las Cruces play in football playoff semifinals
