A rivalry built on history
The Roswell Coyotes and Goddard Rockets will meet at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at the Wool Bowl for the 67th installment of their crosstown rivalry.
Roswell leads the all-time series 41-22-3 and won the most recent meeting, defeating Goddard 35-21 in 2025. The Rockets’ last regular-season victory over the Coyotes came Nov. 7, 2014, when they prevailed 21-10. Goddard’s most recent victory over Roswell came in the 2021 Class 5A state tournament quarterfinals, when the Rockets won 14-3.
In his 14th season at the helm, Roswell head coach Jeff Lynn knows this rivalry inside and out. Goddard head coach Art Bolaños will coach in the rivalry for the third time and has an opportunity to secure his first victory against Roswell where he spent 14 years as defensive coordinator before joining the Rockets in 2024.
The coaches share championship history. Together, they helped Roswell capture consecutive Class 5A state titles in 2018 and 2019, defeating the Los Lunas Tigers 42-6 at home in 2018 before earning a 25-19 road victory over the Tigers the following season.
Lynn recognized Bolaños’ contributions to rebuilding the Roswell program.
“He was a key part in rebuilding the program,” Lynn said. “It’s not an easy job and he did a great job for us.”
Bolaños credited Lynn for helping shape his coaching career.
“I give Lynn a lot of credit for helping me advance in my coaching career,” Bolaños said. “He let me find my own identity as a coach and he trusted me, so I definitely appreciate him.”
Explosive offenses set the stage
Roswell (8-1, 6-0 District 2-5A) enters the rivalry matchup after a 52-15 win over the Mayfield Trojans (2-7, 2-4) on Oct. 24 at the Field of Dreams in Las Cruces. The victory clinched the District 2-5A championship.
Goddard (4-5, 3-3) is coming off a 28-27 loss to the Artesia Bulldogs (5-4, 5-1) on Oct. 23 at the Wool Bowl.
The quarterback matchup could play a significant role in the outcome. Roswell quarterback Andruw Fuentez threw for 2,182 yards and 29 touchdowns with three interceptions in the first nine games. Goddard quarterback Nate Vazquez compiled 1,757 yards and 19 touchdowns with six interceptions.
Both quarterbacks have playmakers at their disposal. Fuentez’s leading targets are Danny Castro and Izaic Gonzales. Castro has hauled in 38 receptions for 854 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Gonzales has caught 53 passes for 584 yards and nine touchdowns. Vazquez’s leading targets are Jose Porras and Bryant O’Mera. Porras has recorded 40 receptions for 635 yards and six touchdowns, while O’Mera has added 38 catches for 484 yards and three touchdowns.
Lynn said the Rockets have several offensive threats, making it important for Roswell’s defense to limit big plays.
“They’ve got some big receivers and they’re throwing the ball at a high clip,” Lynn said. “We’re going to have to do a good job limiting their big plays and keeping those athletic receivers in check.”
Bolaños said Roswell’s depth and explosiveness will present a challenge for the Rockets.
“They’re an explosive team and they have a lot of depth,” Bolaños said. “We’re going to have to play with a lot of heart and focus on the task at hand.”
Both coaches said establishing the run game will be important. Goddard running back Isaiah Montoya is a consistent threat, rushing for 819 yards and six touchdowns on 129 carries this season. Roswell counters with running back Luis Rodriguez, who has gained 756 yards and seven touchdowns on 83 carries.
What’s at stake
Both teams have postseason positioning at stake. For Roswell, it is about strengthening its case for the No. 1 seed in the Class 5A state tournament. For Goddard, it is an opportunity to improve its postseason seeding.
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.
