Josh Franklin, The Roswell Daily Record — The Roswell Coyotes are back in action this week, facing Santa Fe on Friday at the Wool Bowl in the NMAA 5A football playoff quarterfinals.
The No. 1 seed Coyotes are coming off a first-round bye after finishing the regular season 9-1 overall and winning District 2-5A with a 7-0 record. The No. 8 seed Demons enter on a five-game winning streak after beating No. 9 seed Cibola in the first round last Saturday.
Recent history
Roswell has dominated the teams’ recent meetings. In 2023, Roswell thumped Santa Fe 58-6 at the Wool Bowl for its second straight mercy-rule victory over the Demons, following a 50-0 win in 2022. In 2017, Roswell won 48-0, giving the Coyotes a sweep of Santa Fe in their three regular season matchups in the last decade.
What to look for
Friday’s matchup is all about momentum. Both teams enter Friday on substantial winning streaks, but Roswell will look to seize control early.
The Coyotes were tone setters throughout the regular season, frequently scoring on their opening drive or forcing opposing offenses to relinquish the ball early. Roswell coach Jeff Lynn said his team needs to bring that same approach against another surging team.
“I think it’s really important that we come out fast and we work to establish that momentum early,” he said. “They’ve got a lot of momentum. … They haven’t lost a game since September. … So we have to do something.”
Part of sustaining momentum for the Coyotes starts with quarterback Andruw Fuentez making sound decisions and avoiding mistakes.
“I think it’s … about Andruw recognizing what the defense has given us and taking it,” Lynn said. “Whether that’s running the ball or throwing the ball, we’ve got to just be disciplined.”
“Santa Fe is a no-huddle team,” Lynn said. “They’re trying to snap the ball every 15 seconds.”
The Demons’ first touchdown against Cibola last week came on a nine-play, 50-yard drive that lasted just two and a half minutes. The week before, against Capital, Santa Fe marched 65 yards downfield in 27 seconds to score on a three-play drive. Whether Santa Fe strikes quickly or sustains a longer drive, the Coyotes will need to be ready for the next snap.
“I think that’s the number one goal: communicate and get lined up,” Lynn said.
Playoff outlook
Roswell is looking to reach familiar territory with a fourth straight semifinal appearance. The Coyotes last lost a quarterfinal in 2022, falling 13-7 to Piedra Vista. Since then, Roswell has advanced to three straight 5A state championship games, winning the title in 2024.
Santa Fe is looking to build on a postseason milestone. After hosting their first playoff game since 1985, the Demons now head to the Wool Bowl with a chance to end Roswell’s run of semifinal appearances and extend their own playoff stay.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Friday.
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