ENMU 7×7 Tourney: Artesia Wins Big School Title (Recap + Video)
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PORTALES — Thrilling victories in both the semifinals and finals that were not decided until the final play of the game propelled Artesia to the Big School Division championship at the Eastern New Mexico 7×7 Tournament Friday in Portales. Artesia…
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Continue ReadingPORTALES — Thrilling victories in both the semifinals and finals that were not decided until the final play of the game propelled Artesia to the Big School Division championship at the Eastern New Mexico 7×7 Tournament Friday in Portales.
Artesia also captured the JV title and the Linemen Challenge, giving them three trophies on the day.
Bulldogs second-year head coach Jeremy Maupin was understandably pleased with how his football team performed Friday on multiple levels.
“We always say you don’t win championships in the summer but you prepare for them,” Maupin told Prep Redzone New Mexico following the title game. “I’m excited about where we are, but we still have a long way to go to be ready. In a little over a month we’re playing our first game, so we know we have to get ready. I was excited about how we competed today.”
In the bracket single elimination playoff, Artesia took care of business in the first round and quarterfinals before facing Volcano Vista in the semifinals. The Hawks and Bulldogs battled back and forth, trading big plays after big plays, for the entire 25 minutes of regulation. Each team made one defensive stop, forcing overtime.
Pursuant to the rules, Volcano Vista ran one do-or-die play from the 7-yard line. An Artesia defender knocked the ball away from a Hawks receiver in the middle of the end zone to lift the Bulldogs into the championship game.
The title game brought more of the same level of excitement. Artesia got possession of the ball late in the game needing a score to take home the championship plague. The Bulldogs scored on a TD catch by WR Cayden Joy, setting off an emotional celebration as dozens of Bulldog players (many from the JV and freshmen teams) raced onto the field.
“Our guys were tired, it was hot (temperatures reached 100 degrees)”, Maupin said. “Seeing them finish and do well was fun to see.”
Artesia got possession of the ball late in the game needing a score to take home the championship plague. The Bulldogs scored, setting off an emotional celebration as dozens of Bulldog players (many from the JV and freshmen teams) raced onto the field.
“Our guys were tired, it was hot (temperatures reached 100 degrees on a bright sun-splashed day in Portales)”, Maupin said. “Seeing them finish and do well was fun to see. One came on a defensive play, one on an offensive play. Good stuff.”
Bulldog quarterbacks Payton Deans Payton Deans 5'10" | 200 lbs | ATH Artesia | 2023 State NM and Nye Estrada – locked in a tight battle for the starting job – both shined at key times throughout the day along with several Artesia wide receivers.
“They both did some things really well,” Maupin said. “We sill have some work to do with both of them, but I’m excited about where they are. They’re battling. They’re making this decision tough. It’s good to see that. At wide receiver, I thought Peyton Greathouse Peyton Greathouse 5'9" | 175 lbs | WR Artesia | 2024 TN had a good day, Devyn Fierro Devyn Fierro RB Artesia | 2023 State NM had a good day, Matt Saiz had a good day. Cayden Joy caught the last touchdown. Julian Rodriguez had a good day. I like all our guys. We can do different things with all of them.”
Game 1: Roswell vs. West Mesa, Bracket Playoff, First Round
Game 2: Hobbs vs. Santa Fe, Bracket Playoff, First Round
Game 3: Hobbs vs. Roswell, Bracket Playoff, Quarterfinals
Game 4: Artesia vs. Volcano Vista, Bracket Playoff, Semifinals
Game 5: Artesia vs. Hobbs, Bracket Playoff, Championship Game
SOCIAL MEDIA
Thank you to all the teams who came out to the 7 on 7 and Lineman Challenge!
Congratulations to Artesia for winning Big School 7 on 7, JV 7 on 7 and the OL/DL Challenge. Congratulations to Roswell for winning Small School 7 on 7! pic.twitter.com/sKPyyr4dum— Eastern New Mexico University Football (@ENMUFootball) July 15, 2022
Artesia won the Big School Division title, the JV title and the Linemen Challenge. Great day for the Bulldogs. pic.twitter.com/BNKboMrgub
— Prep Redzone New Mexico (@PrepRedzoneNM) July 15, 2022
Artesia beats Hobbs in a last-play thriller to win the @ENMUFootball 7×7 Big School Division championship. Great day of 7×7 action in Portales. pic.twitter.com/M5dAB7DGtk
— Prep Redzone New Mexico (@PrepRedzoneNM) July 15, 2022
Had a great day of competing with my brothers @StMikesHorsemen @ENMUFootball 7v7🏈 pic.twitter.com/o8gnJAlVqQ
— Taven Lozada (@TavenLozada) July 15, 2022
Thank you @ENMUFootball for hosting the annual 7 on 7 tournament #GOONSQUAD pic.twitter.com/Y8saPmsDIj
— jahvonmcchriston (@jahvonmac) July 15, 2022
Really appreciate @ENMUFootball for putting on a excellent 7v7 tournament and linemen challenge today in Portales! pic.twitter.com/OYzn9jC2gN
— Hobbs Eagles Football (@HobbsEaglesFB) July 16, 2022