Tigers Rally Within Two, But Artesia Pulls Away for 54-19 Win

Alamogordo NM- Artesia pulled away from Alamogordo on Friday, scoring 35 unanswered points after the Tigers cut the lead to two early in the third quarter, for a 54-19 win.

Artesia led 14-0 after the first quarter behind Logan Rodriguez, who threw a 62-yard touchdown pass to Layton Whitmire and ran for a 9-yard score. Alamogordo quarterback Nathanael Cereceres answered with a 14-yard touchdown run, and Russell's extra point made it 14-7. After Lucas Atkins hit Whitmire on a 4-yard touchdown pass, Cereceres found Aiden Rowe for a 31-yard score with 1:25 left in the half, sending the Tigers into halftime down 21-13.

Bryson Bloom opened the second half with a 67-yard touchdown run to pull Alamogordo within 21-19, but the two-point try to tie was no good. Artesia took over from there. Atkins threw touchdown passes of 35 yards to Kai Greathouse and 44 yards to Tyler Egeland, Rodriguez added a 40-yard run, Derek Ruiz returned an interception 30 yards for a score, and Chance Hocker tossed a 4-yard touchdown to Andres Ortiz to close out the scoring.

Tigers drop to 2-4, 1-2 in district – host Mayfield next Friday.

Around the County

Football – FINAL – Tucumcari defeats Tularosa 14-7

Tularosa dropped a tight defensive battle at Tucumcari, falling 14-7.

Wildcats drop to 4-2 – will play at Estancia next Friday.

Football – FINAL – Lordsburg defeats Mescalero Apache 54-0

Mescalero Apache was shut out by Lordsburg, 54-0.

Chiefs drop to 2-3, 0-1 in district – will play at Tatum next Friday.

More News from Alamogordo

• Lady Tigers Outlast Ruidoso in Five-Set Thriller Alamogordo closes the match on an 8-0 run to beat Ruidoso; Tularosa falls to Quemado.
• Alamogordo Invited to Welcome Home Veteran Larry Sanmann From Honor Flight Community asked to pack VFW Post 7686 Saturday night to greet the Vietnam veteran and 21-year Air Force jet engine mechanic.