2024 Look Ahead: Three-peat for Artesia?
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Even after directing Artesia to three appearances in the Class 5A state championship game – and back-to-back state titles – in his first three years as Artesia head coach, Jeremy Maupin isn’t afraid to shake things up. The Bulldogs have…
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Continue ReadingEven after directing Artesia to three appearances in the Class 5A state championship game – and back-to-back state titles – in his first three years as Artesia head coach, Jeremy Maupin isn’t afraid to shake things up.
The Bulldogs have enjoyed enormous success over the past two decades with quarterbacks who were primarily pocket passers, two-time state champion (2022-23) Nye Estrada Nye Estrada 5'10" | 170 lbs | QB Artesia | 2024 State NM being just the latest example.
But the upcoming season will see a shift in that philosophy.
Rising senior Izac Cazares Izac Cazares 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Artesia | 2025 State NM has been anointed as the Bulldogs next starting quarterback. What makes the 6-foot-1, 180-pound Cazares different from his predecessors is he’s a dual threat QB, the first for Artesia in about two decades.
Last season Cazares served as Estrada’s backup while also seeing action at running back (31 carries for 252 yards) and receiver (35 receptions for 601 yards and 5 TD), accounting for 12 TD, a remarkable display of his versatility.
Maupin believes Cazares’ multi-faceted skills will be on full display as Artesia’s top signal caller in 2024. To get ready, the Artesia coaching staff has attended coaching clinics and spoken with numerous coaches experienced with dual threat QB systems.
“We’ve already started talking about how (a dual threat QB) changes our offense,” Maupin told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “Izac is excited for the opportunity. I have talked with him about the responsibility of playing quarterback here, the tradition and what that means. Izac is bulking up. He’s one of our strongest guys. He’s running track. He’s a competitor. He wants to compete.”
Cazares has been one of about 150 Artesia players in grades 9-12 participating in the off-season weight-lifting program, Maupin said. The backup QBs are slated to be rising juniors Derrick Warren and Cael Houghtaling, the latest in a long line of Houghtalings to play quarterback for the Bulldogs dating back to the early 1990s.
Rising senior running back Frankie Galindo Frankie Galindo 5'10" | 160 lbs | RB Artesia | 2025 State NM returns after leading Artesia in rushing with about 1,200 yards and 25+ TD in 2023. Galindo was a touchdown machine last season for the Bulldogs after starting the year at wide receiver. Speedy rising junior Bryce Parra Bryce Parra 5'10" | 150 lbs | RB Artesia | 2026 State NM (member of Artesia’s 4×100 and 4×200 relay teams) will be the No. 2 RB.
“I’m looking for Bryce to really push Frankie from behind for some reps,” Maupin said. “Both of those guys are phenomenal young men.”
Leading receiver Ethan Conn Ethan Conn 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR Artesia | 2025 State NM , who played slot, is back after amassing about 60 receptions for over 900 yards in 2023. Rising seniors Diego Lopez, Porter Hardman and Caleb Murray gained valuable experience last season and look for larger roles in 2024. Rising junior Jack Byers, listed at 6-foot-3, is also a basketball and baseball standout. Trent Egeland plays basketball and runs track as well.
“Our sophomore class this year has a lot of really good athletes and they will really push the seniors for playing time next season,” Maupin said.
Heavy losses on the offensive line means an almost entirely different group in 2024 for Artesia. Ricky Armendariz Ricky Armendariz 6'3" | 275 lbs | OL Artesia | 2024 State NM signed with Eastern New Mexico. Rising senior right guard Devyn Velasquez has the most experience. Caleb Martin is healthy again after missing most of the 2023 season. Myka Aguirre will likely return to the O-Line.
“We have good sized kids that will compete for those jobs,” Maupin said. “We moved some defensive linemen over there to compete. The offensive line will be a big focal point over the next few months as we get that group ready to go.”
Defensively, intriguing 2025 prospect Kaden Grantham Kaden Grantham 6'4" | 220 lbs | DL Artesia | 2025 State NM , described as Artesia’s “returning anchor,” is back at defensive end after a solid junior campaign in 2023.
Rising senior Rafael Orozco Rafael Orozco 6'0" | 230 lbs | DL Artesia | 2025 State NM is another returning standout along the defensive front. Grant Johnson Grant Johnson 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Artesia | 2025 State NM returns at inside linebacker but has the speed to play on the outside as well, or even at defensive end. He has next level talent. Johnson replaces the graduating Diego Wesson Diego Wesson 5'11" | 195 lbs | LB Artesia | 2024 State NM as arguably Artesia’s top linebacker.
Ayden Huffman Ayden Huffman 6'0" | 190 lbs | DB Artesia | 2025 State NM returns after starting every game at inside LB for Artesia last season. Axel Hartley is being counted on to step ap at LB. Haden Harcrow Haden Harcrow DB Artesia | 2025 State NM and Brody McDonald Brody McDonald DB Artesia | 2025 State NM excelled in the secondary in 2023 and both are back at safety. Jaden Hutson, Edel Villa Edel Villa 5'10" | 150 lbs | DB Artesia | 2026 State NM and Tootie McNeil Tootie McNeil 6'2" | 150 lbs | DB Artesia | 2026 State NM are very capable cornerbacks looking to take over at that position.
2024 ARTESIA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE:
Aug. 23 CARLSBAD
Aug. 30 at Hobbs
Sept. 7 at Centennial (Sat., 1 p.m.)
Sept. 13 DEMING*
Sept. 20 GADSDEN*
Sept. 27 at Lovington*
Oct. 4 SANTA TERESA*
Oct. 11 Bye
Oct. 18 at Roswell*
Oct. 25 GODDARD*
Nov. 2 at Mayfield (Sat., Noon)