Artesia will be a test for Hobbs, something program needs to rebuild

Clayton Jones/News-Sun

Hobbs' Donavon Fierro rushes against 

Gadsden on Friday in Anthony, N.M.

  The Hobbs football team is just a couple days away from its home opener only to find Class 4A power Artesia coming to Watson Stadium 7 p.m. Friday.
  The high-powered Bulldogs powered past Class 3A defending champ and fellow Lea County squad Lovington 56-7 – pulling many starters at the half as Artesia led 42-7 at the break.
  Hobbs, on the other hand, could've came away with a win last week if even just one of a couple things would've gone their way (one less turnover, one less mental error, one – or two – more converted extra points) during a 34-33 loss to Gadsden.
  Passing will be the order of the day Friday as the two teams combined to throw for 789 yards and 10 touchdowns in their first week, including Hobbs quarterback Brayden Price throwing for 390 yards – second most in school history.
  Artesia's defense held Lovington to a lone touchdown, but I think Hobbs will be able to attack it a little better with its no-huddle spread offense. However, Hobbs must be OK with taking the short routes early if Artesia is giving it to them and not forcing the ball down field (which Hobbs did at times last week).
  Defense may be an issue for Hobbs as Artesia sliced up Lovington for 503 yards in a game where the clock was running for much of the second half. The Eagles didn't give up the big play often against Gadsden, but still surrendered over 450 yards to a Gadsden team, while improved, that was playing its first game in a new spread offense.
  Artesia and long-time coach Cooper Henderson has been racking up yards with their offense a little longer than a game.
  It's definitely going to be a test for the Eagles.
  This is what this program needs. Hobbs, a program with just one playoff win since 1982, needs to face the Artesias, Goddards and Clovis's of the state and compete hard against the traditional powers to get better. The culture of Hobbs football needs to (and is starting to) change and playing those teams with a positive football culture will only help the Eagles.
  Win or lose come Friday, Hobbs (unless it lays a complete egg – no pun intended) should be better off for playing Artesia.