The Goddard Rockets host the Carlsbad Cavemen at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, in their home opener.
The game marks the second consecutive season the teams have met in the second week, with Carlsbad winning last year’s matchup 16-14 at Ralph Bowyer Cavemen Stadium.
The Rockets (0-1) opened their season Aug. 21 with a 20-14 loss to Lovington at Wildcat Stadium. The game was a rematch of last year’s Class 5A state playoff quarterfinal, when Goddard fell 28-14 on the road.
What to expect in Week 2
Goddard will have a different look this season after losing 19 seniors from last year’s squad. Still, the Rockets return several key players, including starting quarterback Nate Vasquez and running backs Isaiah Montoya and Ryan Romero.
The Cavemen (1-0) knocked off Eddy County rival Artesia 20-13 at Bulldog Bowl in their opener, ending a drought against the Bulldogs that dated to Aug. 20, 2021, when Carlsbad won 31-6 at home.
The Cavemen made an impact on both sides of the ball in this year’s victory. Linebacker Colton McKibben, who is committed to UCLA, recorded eight tackles, while quarterback Marley Munoz completed 6 of 12 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. Running back Brock Wright carried the load on the ground, rushing for 139 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries.
Friday’s matchup gives both teams plenty to play for. Goddard has an opportunity to bounce back from its season-opening loss by knocking off a Class 6A opponent in Carlsbad. The Cavemen, meanwhile, have a chance to remain unbeaten and start 2-0 for the first time since the 2012-13 campaign.
A potential defensive battle
Both teams opened the season by making life difficult for opposing offenses. Carlsbad held Artesia scoreless in the first half, while Goddard limited Lovington to just one touchdown after the first quarter.
If those defensive performances carry over into Friday night, fans could be in for another tight, low-scoring battle between the Rockets and Cavemen.
Marshall Mecham can be reached at (915) 232-1793 or on X @mecham_marshall. Mecham serves with the New Mexico Local News Fellowship, which places emerging journalists in newsrooms across the state. Learn more at www.newmexicolocalnewsfellowships.org.
