The Goddard Rockets football team fell to the Artesia Bulldogs 28-27 Friday, Oct. 23, at the Wool Bowl.
Artesia defensive lineman Ivan Chavez blocked Goddard kicker Braden McDaniel’s potential game-tying extra point with 10.2 seconds remaining in the third quarter, preserving the Bulldogs’ one-point lead. Officials subsequently cleared the field because of lightning, and the game never resumed, handing Artesia the victory.
“Not finishing the game is frustrating and I didn’t like the outcome, but I was really proud of our boys for how hard they fought,” Goddard football head coach Art Bolaños said.
The Rockets came out of the gates swinging. After winning the coin toss and electing to defer, Goddard immediately made the decision pay off when wide receiver Bryant O’Mera, who also contributes on defense, forced Artesia receiver Tyler Egeland to fumble the opening kickoff. O’Mera recovered the ball, giving the Rockets possession at the Bulldogs’ 46-yard line.
Goddard (4-5, 3-3 District 2-5A) wasted little time capitalizing. Quarterback Nate Vazquez connected with receiver Eli Cooper on a 15-yard touchdown pass with 6:22 remaining in the opening quarter, putting the Rockets ahead 7-0.
Artesia (5-4, 5-1) responded in the second quarter when quarterback Lucas Atkins found Egeland for a 38-yard touchdown pass with 11:50 left in the half. Bulldogs kicker Corbyn Dominguez had his extra-point attempt blocked, keeping Goddard in front 7-6.
The teams traded scores for the remainder of the second quarter, entering halftime tied at 14-14.
Goddard emerged from the break with an explosive play. With 10:49 remaining in the third quarter, Vazquez delivered a 35-yard screen pass to receiver Noah Lujan, who turned the opportunity into a touchdown to put the Rockets back on top 21-14.
But the Bulldogs answered five minutes later. Atkins found Egeland on a slip screen, and Egeland turned the catch into a 38-yard touchdown run, knotting the score at 21-21.
Artesia seized the lead on its next offensive possession. Atkins capped the drive with a four-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Bulldogs a 28-21 advantage.
The Rockets responded with urgency. Running back Isaiah Montoya broke loose for a 59-yard run, carrying Goddard deep into Artesia territory before defensive lineman Derek Lopez brought him down at the two-yard line.
Vazquez finished the drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown, pulling the Rockets within one point. Chavez then blocked McDaniel’s extra-point attempt, persevering the Bulldogs’ lead before lightning forced teams off the field.
“I’m super proud of McDaniel,” Bolaños said. “That blocked kick wasn’t solely on him. He stepped up and gave us an opportunity to win.”
Goddard will return to the Wool Bowl to face crosstown rival Roswell (8-1, 6-0) at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30.
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.
