Roswell Coyotes quarterback Andruw Fuentez was the center of the team’s 39-35 victory over the Rio Rancho Rams Friday, Sept. 4, at the Wool Bowl, as he completed 20 of 28 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns.
But the Coyotes (2-1) needed contributions across the board, and they got them. Luis Rodriguez scored twice on the ground, while Danny Castro caught two touchdown passes, ran for a two-point conversion and sealed the victory with an interception in the final seconds.
“Andruw played well again and played well with players like Danny Castro and Luis Rodriguez,” Roswell head coach Jeff Lynn said.
Rio Rancho (1-2) struck first, taking advantage of a trick play to grab a 7-0 lead. Rams wide receiver Crew Victor connected with quarterback Micah Takahashi on a 22-yard touchdown pass with 6:57 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Coyotes answered immediately, as Rodriguez broke through for a 29-yard touchdown run on Roswell’s next possession to tie the game at 7-7.
But the Rams struck again before the quarter ended, with running back Eli Vigil punching in a 4-yard touchdown to put Rio Rancho back in front.
Rodriguez refused to let Roswell fall behind for long. He opened the second quarter with a 14-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 14-14.
Rio Rancho delivered the final punch of the first half when Takahashi found Austin Seamons for a 29-yard touchdown. The Rams carried a 21-14 advantage into halftime.
The Coyotes started the second half strong, as Fuentez connected with Castro for a 5-yard touchdown. The extra point was blocked, leaving Roswell within one at 21-20.
Coyotes linebacker Zane De Leon then recovered a Rams fumble, giving Roswell another opportunity. Fuentez found Izaic Gonzales for a 10-yard touchdown, and the Coyotes elected to go for two. Fuentez delivered again, connecting with Francisco Guzman to put Roswell ahead 28-21 with 6:58 left in the third quarter.
The lead did not last long. Takahashi answered with a 40-yard touchdown pass to Victor on the next drive, knotting the game at 28-28.
Roswell could not find the end zone on its next possession, but kicker Benjamin Vera made sure the Coyotes still had the lead. He drilled a field goal to put Roswell ahead 31-28 heading into the fourth quarter.
Rio Rancho came right back to start the final period. Takahashi found Victor again, this time for an 18-yard touchdown, and the Rams were back on top 35-31.
That’s when Roswell landed the decisive punch. The Coyotes moved down the field, taking time off the clock before Fuentez found Castro for a 2-yard touchdown with 4:03 remaining. Castro then powered his way into the end zone on a two-point conversion to push Roswell’s lead to 39-35.
Rio Rancho marched down the field on its final possession, threatening to steal the game. The Rams reached the end zone, but their final pass was intercepted by Castro, sending the Wool Bowl into celebration.
It was the ending Lynn wanted to see from his team.
“This was a great team win,” Lynn said. “I’m just super proud of them. Our kids are battling and staying together.”
The Coyotes return to action against Alamogordo at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at Tiger Stadium.
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.
