2022 Team Preview: Goddard Rockets

<strong>Goddard 2022 Preview</strong> <strong>Head Coach</strong>: Chris White <strong>Mascot</strong>: Rockets <strong>Twitter</strong>: @goddardfootball; @javynmorales <strong>Colors</strong>: Navy Blue, Columbia Blue and White <strong>2021 Record</strong>: 7-5 (Class 5A Semifinals) <strong>Overview</strong>: Goddard’s offense has relied primarily on the run, and things will likely stay that way in 2022. The quarterback job is up for grabs between junior <strong>Dominic Ramirez</strong>, <strong>J.J. Hildebrant</strong> and perhaps others. A key storyline for the season is how well speedy running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138088" first="Javyn" last="Morales"]</strong> (4.44 in the 40) bounces back from a serious injury that forced him to miss the second half of last season. In just four games last season, Morales totaled over 1,000 all-purpose yards and scored 9 TD. Morales is one of the fastest players in the state as he showed at the 2021 state track meet when he won the 100 meters title in his classification. Morales should be 100 percent healthy for the Aug. 19 season opener. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="270055" first="Hector" last="Salvarrey"]</strong> and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="274787" first="Jon" last="Silva"]</strong> will handle some of the RB load as well. Silva enjoyed a solid playoffs in 2021 and hopes to carry the momentum into the 2022 season. Senior wide receiver <strong>Manny Venzor</strong> missed last season due to health issues but looks ready for a breakout season now that he’s 100 percent healthy. Venzor is tall (about 6-01) with good speed and soft hands. Returning offensive linemen include <strong>Albert Montoya</strong> and <strong>Christian Dacanay</strong>. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="270053" first="Landon" last="Victor"]</strong> lined up at both offensive and defensive line in 2021 and White hopes he will anchor the trenches on both sides of the ball. Victor and Salvarrey will be the leaders of the Goddard defense. Silva played LB last year. The Rockers should be aided by a number of returners on defense.         <strong> </strong> <strong>Schedule</strong>: The Rockets have an interesting non-district schedule highlighted by a pair of games against Four Corners opponents and a road trip to the Albuquerque Metro area. Goddard’s district has always been rough-and-tumble and now the NMAA has added Mayfield to the mix. Aug. 19 at Santa Teresa Aug. 26 CARLSBAD Sept. 2 at Deming Sept. 9 MIYAMURA Sept. 16 at Piedra Vista Sept. 23 GADSDEN Sept. 30 at Belen Oct. 7 Bye Oct. 14 MAYFIELD* Oct. 21 ARTESIA* Oct. 28 at Roswell* * District Game <strong>Top Storyline</strong>: Will Goddard keep their streak of reaching the Class 5A semifinals intact in 2022? <strong>Final Thoughts</strong>: Goddard has one of the proudest football traditions in New Mexico. Between 2005-14, the Rockets were 107-25 and won the 2012 Class 4A (before 6A) state championship with a perfect 13-0 record. In fact, Goddard reached the state title game three straight years (2011-13). That tradition of excellence has continued in recent years. Goddard has reached the semifinals of the Class 5A playoffs in each of the past three full seasons (2018-19, 2021). So, the program and the community rightfully have high expectations. If [player_tooltip player_id="138088" first="Javyn" last="Morales"] stays healthy, the Goddard ground game should be humming again. <strong>Coach’s Comments</strong>: “We barely lost in the semifinals to Los Lunas and we’re bringing back some real good experience. We have quite a few returners. I think we’re prepped to make a run into the late rounds of the playoffs. We have a long traditional of making the playoffs. Last season was a good experience for the players. Going into this season, nothing is set in stone, though. [player_tooltip player_id="138088" first="Javyn" last="Morales"] definitely has next level speed in the open field. He catches the ball very well. He definitely adds a dimension to our offense” – Goddard coach Chris White. https://twitter.com/JavynMorales/status/1528192237133103105 https://twitter.com/jonsilva_3/status/1533805804209418241 https://twitter.com/JavynMorales/status/1514787820077944854 https://twitter.com/JavynMorales/status/1481414691645640706