The Eddy County War was decided in dramatic fashion Friday night at the Bulldog Bowl in Artesia.

After Carlsbad took a 27-22 lead with 20 seconds remaining, Artesia’s Matthew Saides returned the ensuing kickoff for the score with 6 seconds left to give the Bulldogs a 30-27 victory in both teams’ season opener. brought. Diego Wesson found Riley Jarrett in a two-point conversion after scoring the size of the final margin.

Eli Asay put the Cavemen up 27-22 with a 73-yard touchdown run on an optional play. He finished the night with three touchdown runs, and teammate Dane Naylor added a Caveman’s 9-yard rushing touchdown.

Carlsbad erased a 9-0 lead and led 21-9 midway through the fourth quarter. But Artesia took a 22-21 lead with a pair of Nay Estrada touchdown passes to Peyton Greathouse and Juan Diego Durán respectively before the dramatic final 20 seconds of the game. gathered for

End of first half

Artesia led 9-7 at halftime. Greathouse kicked his goal on his 37-yard field for the Bulldogs, and Bradley his Valenzuela caught his pass for a 37-yard touchdown from Estrada, but the extra point fumbled.

Carlsbad answered with a long Esay touchdown run in the second quarter to shorten their lead.

Philip Finley and Jesse Armendariz each made interceptions for the Bulldogs in the first half. Rene Ramos made the Carlsbad interception.