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From the Roswell Daily Record
By Jeff Lynn
Saturday, December 3, 2011
GODDARD AT AZTEC
NMAA 4A State Championship
Fred Cook Memorial Stadium (Aztec), 1p.m.
Records: Goddard 12-0; Aztec 12-0
Last week: Goddard beat Artesia, 21-10;
Aztec beat Valencia, 47-41.
Coaches: Goddard, Sam Jernigan: Aztec,
Brad Hirsch
Last meeting: Goddard won 49-45 in the 2008 Class 4A state championship game (Goddard leads the all-time series, 3-2)
Coach Lynn's thoughts
Goddard and Aztec have played each other a couple of times since 2007. Goddard won those games, but they were great games. The 2008 state championship game was as good of a high school football game as I have ever seen. Goddard typically plays the toughest schedule in the state, year in and year out, and Aztec plays a really soft schedule. The Tigers' only quality wins this season are over Durango, Colo., Roswell and Valencia. I just don't know how good Aztec really is. They are typically big and have some good skill kids. Aztec can throw the ball and score points and I really think the strength of Goddard is its defense. I like the 50 cover-two scheme Goddard plays against spread teams. The Rockets do a really good job of being physical with receivers and getting them re-routed.
Coach Lynn: In the favor of Goddard
1. Strength of schedule. The schedule the Rockets have played has prepared them. They have been in some tight games (Clovis and Canyon) and they have beat some awfully good football teams. The strength of Goddard's schedule creates a confidence that I'm not sure Aztec will have.
2. Senior leadership. This year's seniors have done an outstanding job keeping this team focused.
3. Weather. The weather favors Goddard. The forecast is calling for cold and snow. This kind of weather will favor the team that can run the ball and that is Goddard.
Coach Lynn: In the favor of Aztec
1. The trip. staying in a hotel with high school aged kids is a difficult circumstance to overcome. It can really test the maturity of a football team. There are lot of distractions in a hotel.
2. The drive to finally win one. The Tigers have been down this road before. Brad Hirsch is kind of the Marv Levy of New Mexico high school football. He has walked away from the state championship game with the red trophy a lot in the past 10 years. The Tigers will be very motivated to finally get the blue trophy.
Coach Lynn's keys for the Rockets
1. Get pressure on the quarterback. The bookends of Goddard's defensive line, Nik Aston and David Strickland, are really good football players. If they can get pressure on Aztec's quarterback, Goddard will be tough to beat.
3. Establish the run to slow Aztec's offense. If Goddard can slow Aztec down and get Ryan Greene and David Anaya going. I think Goddard wins this game.
From the Roswell Daily Record
By Jeff Lynn
Saturday, December 3, 2011
GODDARD AT AZTEC
NMAA 4A State Championship
Fred Cook Memorial Stadium (Aztec), 1p.m.
Records: Goddard 12-0; Aztec 12-0
Last week: Goddard beat Artesia, 21-10;
Aztec beat Valencia, 47-41.
Coaches: Goddard, Sam Jernigan: Aztec,
Brad Hirsch
Last meeting: Goddard won 49-45 in the 2008 Class 4A state championship game (Goddard leads the all-time series, 3-2)
Coach Lynn's thoughts
Goddard and Aztec have played each other a couple of times since 2007. Goddard won those games, but they were great games. The 2008 state championship game was as good of a high school football game as I have ever seen. Goddard typically plays the toughest schedule in the state, year in and year out, and Aztec plays a really soft schedule. The Tigers' only quality wins this season are over Durango, Colo., Roswell and Valencia. I just don't know how good Aztec really is. They are typically big and have some good skill kids. Aztec can throw the ball and score points and I really think the strength of Goddard is its defense. I like the 50 cover-two scheme Goddard plays against spread teams. The Rockets do a really good job of being physical with receivers and getting them re-routed.
Coach Lynn: In the favor of Goddard
1. Strength of schedule. The schedule the Rockets have played has prepared them. They have been in some tight games (Clovis and Canyon) and they have beat some awfully good football teams. The strength of Goddard's schedule creates a confidence that I'm not sure Aztec will have.
2. Senior leadership. This year's seniors have done an outstanding job keeping this team focused.
3. Weather. The weather favors Goddard. The forecast is calling for cold and snow. This kind of weather will favor the team that can run the ball and that is Goddard.
Coach Lynn: In the favor of Aztec
1. The trip. staying in a hotel with high school aged kids is a difficult circumstance to overcome. It can really test the maturity of a football team. There are lot of distractions in a hotel.
2. The drive to finally win one. The Tigers have been down this road before. Brad Hirsch is kind of the Marv Levy of New Mexico high school football. He has walked away from the state championship game with the red trophy a lot in the past 10 years. The Tigers will be very motivated to finally get the blue trophy.
Coach Lynn's keys for the Rockets
1. Get pressure on the quarterback. The bookends of Goddard's defensive line, Nik Aston and David Strickland, are really good football players. If they can get pressure on Aztec's quarterback, Goddard will be tough to beat.
3. Establish the run to slow Aztec's offense. If Goddard can slow Aztec down and get Ryan Greene and David Anaya going. I think Goddard wins this game.