2026 Team Preview: Roswell Coyotes
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<p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p>
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<p>When Roswell head coach Jeff Lynn contends the Coyotes will be ‘younger' in 2026 than they've been in previous years, he isn't saying they will be relying on freshmen and sophomores to a larger extent. That's because Roswell's long-established system annually produces a varsity roster filled with juniors and seniors. Preferably, more of the latter. In Roswell, then, being ‘younger' means the Coyotes will rely on more juniors than usual.</p>
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<p>“This will be a little different group for us,” Roswell head coach Jeff Lynn told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “We're going to be younger than we've been in a while. When I say younger, we're going to play a bunch of juniors. But we're also talented. We're probably as good as we've ever been at the skill positions. We have a brutal schedule.”</p>
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<p>In non-district play, Roswell hosts 6A bluebloods Hobbs and Rio Rancho. Those two games sandwich a trip to Amarillo, TX to face Randall, which won 10 games last season and reached the third round of the highly competitive Class 4A, Division I playoffs.</p>
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<p>“We're definitely challenging our players early,” Lynn said. “That's good. Iron sharpens iron. We need to be tested. Our message to this group is keep getting better every week. We need to be playing our best football when district season rolls around.” </p>
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<p>Roswell has appeared in five of the last seven Class 5A state championship games, including the past three years against rival Artesia. The Coyotes and Bulldogs remain the ‘Big Two' until somebody beats them. </p>
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<p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p>
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<p>After serving as the Coyotes backup last season, rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1853724' first='Andruw' last='Fuentez']</strong> ascends to the No. 1 quarterback role, and he could stay in that spot for two seasons. His older brother, Manny Fuentez, was the Coyotes' starting QB a few years ago. Lynn makes clear the job is his. Rising senior<strong> Francisco Guzman</strong> will likely be the backup. Rising sophomore <strong>Abimael Jimenez</strong> is an up-and-comer. </p>
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<p>“There's no competition. [player_tooltip player_id='1853724' first='Andruw' last='Fuentez'] will be our quarterback,” Lynn said. “He's a young, talented kid. He's a program kid. He'll do a good job for us. He can really throw the ball and he's a very good athlete. He can run. He's not a big kid, but he gets the most out of what he's got. He's one of the best athletes on our team. I like where we are at quarterback.”</p>
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<p>If made to choose a sophomore sensation in New Mexico high school football last season, Coyotes running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1826036' first='Luis' last='Rodriguez']</strong> would on the short list of candidates. Called up to the varsity in September, Rodriguez rushed for over 1,000 yards, averaged nearly 10 yards per carry and had 5 games with 100+ rushing yards. His elite speed and quickness was a problem for defenses, and will be again in 2026.</p>
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<p>“Luis is very talented,” Lynn said. “I think he's as good as anybody in the state. He's fast and he can make you miss. I'd be hard pressed to say there is a better running back in the state. Those last seven or eight games, he was fantastic. He's gifted. It's not often a sophomore makes an impact at Roswell, so for him to come in and be our leading rusher is a big deal. He's a super kid.”</p>
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<p>Several running backs are competing to be Rodriguez's backup. Rising sophomore <strong>Debrice Ashung</strong> is new to football after playing soccer for the Roswell varsity last fall, but he has good size (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) and made an immediate impact during spring practice. He rushed for 142 yards and 2 TD on just 9 carries in the Coyotes' spring game. Rising junior <strong>Daniel Guevara</strong> will compete for the job as well.</p>
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<p>“Talent-wise, Debrice is on the same level as [player_tooltip player_id='1826036' first='Luis' last='Rodriguez'],” Lynn said. “He's special. He's a kid we'll bring along. He's never played football before. But he's put up crazy numbers in the weight room. He'll be in the mix.”</p>
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<p>Last season's leading receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2103749' first='Izaic' last='Gonzales']</strong> returns after catching over 40 passes. He gives Roswell a dynamic QB-RB-WR trio. <strong>Daniel Guevara</strong> and rising junior transfer <strong>Ezekiel Barrientos</strong> will possibly line up at receiver when they're not playing running back. <strong>Franciso Guzman</strong> (see above) could play some receiver as well. He'll bring good size and speed to the WR position.</p>
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<p>One starter from last season returns on the offensive line – rising senior OT <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2117875' first='Emanuel' last='Sanchez']</strong>. He earned Honorable Mention All-State honors in 2025. Three rising seniors are expected to man the interior spots – <strong>Gabriel Lucero</strong> will start at center, while the guards are expected to be <strong>Alan Renteria</strong> (6-0, 270 pounds) and 6-foot-2, 285 pounder <strong>Lucas Engelhardt</strong>. The other tackle spot opposite Sanchez will be rising junior <strong>Trey Burrola</strong>. </p>
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<p>“Spring ball made me feel a lot better about our offensive line,” Lynn said. “They're big. We're not as big as we were last year, but we're not little either.” </p>
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<p><strong>Key Players</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1853724' first='Andruw' last='Fuentez'] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='1826036' first='Luis' last='Rodriguez'] (RB), [player_tooltip player_id='2103749' first='Izaic' last='Gonzales'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='2117875' first='Emanuel' last='Sanchez'] (OL).</p>
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<p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p>
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<p>Rising senior linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1788700' first='Jonathan' last='Ellis']</strong>, last season's second leading tackler for Roswell despite missing three games with an injury, will lead the new look defense. Ellis, who will play ILB in Roswell's 4-2-5 scheme, is the loner returner among the top 11 tacklers for the Coyotes in 2025.</p>
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<p>“Jonathan is smart and can run,” Lynn said. “He's been a very good linebacker for us. He'll lead our defense. “</p>
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<p>The second LB spot (Will) is up for grabs. Rising junior <strong>Michael Herrera</strong> has the edge there, but the competition with rising junior <strong>Nate Bernal</strong> is still ongoing. Both will play, Lynn said, since Roswell utilizes a three-player rotation at linebacker.</p>
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<p>Rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2182162' first='Caden' last='Robinson']</strong> will play on the perimeter. Rising junior <strong>Uriel Gonzalez</strong> and rising senior <strong>Matthew Flores</strong> are competing for the nickel spot. It's possible Herrera could see action at nickel and put Bernal at LB.</p>
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<p>Rising junior <strong>Kasyn Flores</strong> will be the free safety. Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1788731' first='David' last='Fresquez']</strong>, one of Roswell's best defensive players, will start at one of the CB spots after starting every game there in 2025. The opposite CB spot is up for grabs.</p>
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<p>The defensive line is usually a strength for the Coyotes and this season should be no different. Rising seniors <strong>Elias Lujan</strong> and <strong>Jake Amador</strong> are back at defensive end. Promising rising junior <strong>Tyler Guamond</strong> and rising sophomore <strong>Michael Soza</strong> add depth. Five defensive tackles are battling for playing time in the interior of the D-Line. All could play, Lynn said. <strong>Anthony Young</strong>, <strong>Benito Cedillo Garcia</strong>, <strong>Lupe Bedolla</strong>, <strong>Miguel Borrego</strong> and <strong>Art Garcia</strong> are involved in the competition. </p>
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<p><strong>Key Players</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1788700' first='Jonathan' last='Ellis'] (LB), Michael Herrera (LB), Kasyn Flores (DB), [player_tooltip player_id='1788731' first='David' last='Fresquez'] (DB).</p>
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<p><strong>2026 ROSWELL SCHEDULE</strong></p>
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<p>Aug. 21 HOBBS </p>
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<p>Aug. 28 at Amarillo (TX) Randall </p>
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<p>Sept. 4 RIO RANCHO </p>
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<p>Sept. 11 at Alamogordo* </p>
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<p>Sept. 18 at Deming* </p>
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<p>Sept. 25 CHAPARRAL* </p>
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<p>Oct. 2 GADSDEN* </p>
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<p>Oct. 9 Bye </p>
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<p>Oct. 16 at Artesia* </p>
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<p>Oct. 23 at Mayfield* </p>
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<p>Oct. 30 GODDARD* </p>
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<p>* District 5A-2 Game</p>
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<p>All kickoffs at 7 p.m. unless indicated otherwise.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great day <a href="https://x.com/UNMLoboFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNMLoboFB</a> !<br>shuttle-4.32/ 40-4.78/ broad- 9'1<a href="https://x.com/CoyotesRising?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoyotesRising</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://x.com/JeffJefflynn1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JeffJefflynn1</a> <a href="https://x.com/Coach_Eck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Eck</a> <a href="https://x.com/LukeSchleusner?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LukeSchleusner</a> <a href="https://x.com/Beau_Davidson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Beau_Davidson</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://x.com/CouchPSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CouchPSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/3Yq92usJVX">pic.twitter.com/3Yq92usJVX</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='1853724' first='Andruw' last='Fuentez'] (@andruwfuentez11) <a href="https://x.com/andruwfuentez11/status/2065594102671118564?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨Records Set🚨<br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1788700' first='Jonathan' last='Ellis'] <br>Heavyweight Vertical Jump record<br><br>Danny Castro Lightweight Vertical Jump record <br><br>Nathaniel Bernal <br>Lightweight Total Pounds Record<br>Lightweight Dips Record <br>Insane numbers for Nate!!! <br>1% Better<br>Stacking Days <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/TEAM?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TEAM</a> <a href="https://t.co/JPHzFTum1a">pic.twitter.com/JPHzFTum1a</a></p>— Coyote Football (@CoyotesRising) <a href="https://x.com/CoyotesRising/status/2060382013769806078?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cleared 37 yards ✔️ 2/2 on PATs as well on the spring game! Feeling strong on field goals 🏈 Looking forward to show it in person. <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/classof2028?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#classof2028</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/upcomingjunior?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#upcomingjunior</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/consistency?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#consistency</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/work?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#work</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/springball?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#springball</a> <a href="https://t.co/EUxHBno5J6">pic.twitter.com/EUxHBno5J6</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='2206002' first='Benjamin' last='Vera'] (@VzraNm) <a href="https://x.com/VzraNm/status/2060848027787751644?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Full Season Stats | JR‼️<br>35 Receptions <br>769 Receiving Yards<br>Yards Per Catch (21.9)<br>Yards Per Game (64.0)<br>(9-4) Record<br>STATE RUNNER UP.<a href="https://x.com/CoyotesRising?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoyotesRising</a> <a href="https://x.com/JeffJefflynn1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JeffJefflynn1</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://t.co/0qZFBVOeBp">https://t.co/0qZFBVOeBp</a></p>— [player_tooltip player_id='2103749' first='Izaic' last='Gonzales'] (@IzaixGonzales27) <a href="https://x.com/IzaixGonzales27/status/1995523155256053794?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2025</a></blockquote>
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