Friday night’s football game sure felt like one of the best returns back to normal we’ve seen in a long time. A goal line stand in the final seconds of play put the Carlsbad Cavemen over the Artesia Bulldogs, 35-34, in a game that saw multiple lead changes and incredible effort from both sides.
There were so many unusual elements associated with the game – COVID-19 restrictions, the fact that the game was played in Hobbs so some fans could watch, the fact that the game took place in March – but in the end, it was all about two hardworking football teams doing their absolute best. The game won’t just go down in history for when it was held or where it was held, but because it was an excellent football game.
The Eddy County War will remain a pitched battle for many generations. It will be the biggest game of the year for the children and grandchildren of many of the players who participated this evening. Future games will hopefully be in the fall again, and with full stadiums, and in Eddy County. It took an incredible amount of work behind the scenes to make this year’s game happen – and a partnership between officials in Carlsbad, Artesia and Hobbs. While we look forward to many, many generations of fierce competition against our two greatest sports rivals, Artesia and Hobbs, we are also mindful of the fact that these communities all came together to make Friday’s game happen.
More:Live: Eddy County War pits Carlsbad Cavemen against Artesia Bulldogs
Thanks again to everyone who made Friday’s event happen – including Carlsbad Police Chief Shane Skinner and Eddy County Sheriff Mark Cage, who directed the Carlsbad Police Department and Eddy County Sheriff’s Department to escort the bus through Carlsbad. Congratulations to Red Rocket, All Sports Best, Carlsbad Radio and Pecos Valley Broadcasting for doing a great job with broadcasting the game. There’s a lot of work left to get back to normal. For example, we are very aware of the heartbroken members of the band and their parents who feel they were denied this experience. This was not a local decision in any way. We will continue to push for them, as will the members of our local school board. Friday’s game felt like a step in the right direction.
More:Sports on Tap: Eddy County “Fall” Schedules unveiled
In other sports news, former Carlsbad High School standout and current Miami Marlin Trevor Rogers had his first start of spring training Friday in a game against the Houston Astros. Trevor pitched two scoreless innings and allowed no hits on three strikeouts and a walk. He was credited with the win. Congratulations to Trevor.
