The Winslow Bulldogs began a challenging football season with a 27-20 loss to a much larger Lake Havasu Knights team. The Bulldogs were impressive and showed reasons to see the team as a playoff contender. The teams on the Winslow schedule also began their seasons with a number of successful early games, though.
Tonight’s (Sept. 4) opponents, the Holbrook Roadrunners, defeated the Camp Verde Cowboys 25-12 in their opening game. The Wickenburg Wranglers lost a close game 42-34 to the Dysart Demons and will be at Glendale next. The Wranglers will be in Winslow on Sept. 11 for the Bulldogs’ first home game.
The Coronado Dons were edged by Glendale 24-21 and will be at Cortez next. They are scheduled to host the Bulldogs on Sept. 18. The Fountain Hills Falcons will come to Winslow on Sept. 25. The Falcons were blanked by the Northwest Christian Crusaders 49-0 in their first contest and face Estrella Foothills next.
Things get tougher for the Bulldogs in October as they journey to Show Low to meet the always formidable Cougars. Show Low defeated Round Valley 34-7 and Chinle 47-0 in its first two contests, and is slated to meet a tough Florence Gopher team on Sept. 11.
The Bulldogs then go to Payson to meet the Longhorns on Oct. 9. Payson defeated Window Rock 57-6 in its opening game and will play St Johns next. Winslow will host the Page Sand Devils on Oct. 16. Page defeated the Tuba City Warriors 29-8 in the opener, but was clobbered by the Florence Gophers 54-0 on Saturday. The Sand Devils’ next game is against the Monument Valley Mustangs. Monument Valley is 2-0 with wins over Greyhills Academy, 18-8, and Window Rock, 39-20.
The usually formidable Blue Ridge Yellowjackets will host Winslow on Oct. 23. Blue Ridge edged St. Johns 8-6 in its opener and is slated to host Walnut Grove next.
The last game of the regular season should be a challenge for the Bulldogs as they meet the Lobos in Snowflake on Halloween night. The Lobos won their first two games, defeating Tucson Amphitheater 40-0 and a tough Tempe Prep squad 19-0.
Other teams in the area with notable starts include the Mingus Marauders, who defeated Cactus Shadows 42-15 and Lee Williams 42-0, and Coconino, which lost to Cactus Shadows 61-6 and defeated Youngkers 27-14. Flagstaff started with a 27-14 win over Phoenix North High School.
