PICTURED: The 2024 Bulldog seniors.
(All Photos Courtesy Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)
A season's worth of hard work, preparation, dedication, effort and passion will culminate Saturday at Wool Bowl in Roswell.
It never seems like it's time for a state game. Especially in a season as comparatively short as football, it always feels like just yesterday that the Friday night lights were clicking on at Bulldog Bowl to mark the start of a new season. That a little more breath-catching should've come between the end of district and the start of win-or-go-home.
It's enough to overwhelm a lot of teams, but the Bulldogs have been here before. In fact, the seniors competing in this year's Class 5A title game have never NOT appeared in a state championship game. They've never lost one, either.
For seniors, it's more than just a season's worth of work on the line Saturday. It's a high school football career's worth, a youth's worth of dreams and plans and anticipation, of imagining what it would be like to put on that orange helmet and dive into the Dog Pile.
OFFENSIVE STARTERS
OFFENSIVE LINE
OFFENSIVE BACKS
WIDE RECEIVERS
It all comes down to this, and a few of Artesia's 2024 seniors shared their thoughts this week on what it all means and what it's going to take to earn that elusive threepeat.
Every player has a favorite aspect of their position, something they can look forward to on every play.
"My most favorite thing is being able to block for my quarterback," said center Devyn Velasquez.
"I just like the responsibility of my position and how much I have to think about," said back Ethan Conn.
"My favorite thing about playing quarterback is just leading the offense," said Izac Cazares.
Running back Frankie Galindo is more than capable of both eluding and simply running over opposing defenders, but he does have a favorite option: "I think I would rather truck someone."
"I just love hitting people," said linebacker Grant Johnson, while fellow backer Ayden Huffman likes the responsibility of ensuring all defenders are where they should be and ready to do their jobs. "And staring the quarterback down," he adds.
As was the case last season, the 'Dogs came up short of Roswell High in district play this year, falling by four points at Bulldog Bowl. In 2023, they made the adjustments necessary to turn the tables in the championship rematch, and they'll be looking to do the same Saturday.
What's it going to take?
"I think it's going to take us working as a team and just having the best effort we can have," said Velasquez.
"Just playing every play like it's a touchdown play or a big stop or something like that, and just going 100% every play," said Conn.
"Being a leader for the younger classmen who haven't been in the position that we have," said Galindo. "Like last year, I was in that position, so I know what the feeling is, so just leading them through it and motivating them, and just being there for them."
"I think everybody on the team is going to have to be even-tempered, and it's going to take an extreme amount of aggression," said Huffman.
"I think to be successful against Roswell High takes great focus, it takes great physicality, and just tackling -- especially tackling," said Johnson.
DEFENSIVE STARTERS
DEFENSIVE LINE
LINEBACKERS
SECONDARY
The Bulldogs understand the assignment. It's one they've been tasked with time and again as the team with the perpetual target on their backs. But they have a unique perspective, as well. It's not just about the Xs and Os. It's about brotherhood. Community. Tradition. They'll carry it all with them onto the field Saturday. And regardless of the outcome, they'll be successful because of it.
"I think the younger people, the people who look up to us -- I think that makes it really special," said Huffman. "A lot of people don't have good role models and good influences in other places, so I think it's special that we get to be a good influence on younger kids."
"I love how accepting the culture is around here and how heartwarming everyone is towards you," said Conn.
"To me, everything with the community, the culture, and the tradition -- all of it is so special," said Johnson. "You can't find it anywhere else, and it's just very unique. You only find that here."
"Being able to play with the same group of guys since seventh grade and having fun every day," said Velasquez when asked what makes being a Bulldog special.
"Just seeing the kids and how they see you as a role model and almost like a professional football player," said Galindo. "Just like how amazed they are just to see you in person and know that you're a Bulldog. Something about that is just special."
SPECIAL TEAMS
SENIOR SUPERSTITIONS
• Frankie Galindo: Taking a nap. And eating quite a bit of snacks.
• Izac Cazares: Taking a nap and then waking up and just getting ready for the game.
• Ethan Conn: When we lay on the field, I make sure to lay on the "O" on the home side.
• Ayden Huffman: It's not really a game-day superstition, but I don't wash my socks if we're on a winning streak.
• Devyn Velasquez: Eating my teammates' plates.
• Grant Johnson: I wear the same pair of underwear every game. It is washed! It is clean. But I do have to wear the same pair every game.
BULLDOG PLAYLIST
• Ethan Conn: "Bad" by Michael Jackson
• Devyn Velasquez and Frankie Galindo: "Many Men" by 50 Cent
• Ayden Huffman: "A New Level" by Pantera
• Grant Johnson: "Alternative Outro" by Lucki
• Izac Cazares: "Rollin'" by Limp Bizkit
COACHING STAFF
CAN YOU MATCH THE BABY FACES WITH
THE NAMES OF THESE BULLDOG PUPS?
Click the link below to play Name These Bulldog Babies! You'll see baby photos of this year's seniors and a list of their names. There'll be a zoom feature at the bottom right of the screen so you can see the pics up close. Make your guesses, then click the second link for the answers!
Play Name These Bulldog Babies
All Through?
SENDOFF
There will be a sendoff for the Bulldogs at 10:45 a.m. Saturday starting on Bulldog Boulevard. See you there!