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Doug Ethridge, who coached Hobbs to a big-school state football title in 1970, has died. He was 89.
Ethridge coached at Hobbs from 1968-71, winning three District 4AAAA titles in addition to his state championship. He then went on to a sterling career in Texas, winning a state title at Port Neches-Groves High School in 1975.
His 1970 Hobbs team defeated coach Bill Gentry’s Highland Hornets 20-0 in the state title game. The following year, Ethridge’s Eagles lost 19-15 in the state semifinals to eventual champion Mayfield, coached by Jim Bradley.
In 1969, Ethridge’s Hobbs team lost 21-8 in the state title game to coach L.G. Henderson’s Artesia Bulldogs.