The only thing surprising about Snowflake’s 67-8 win at Page last Friday night was that the Sand Devils actually found the end zone. Their lone score came in the fourth period to keep the Lobos from pitching their fourth shutout of the season.

The Lobos scored 34 points in the opening quarter, added 20 more in the second and capped their own scoring for the night with 13 points in the third period. Tyler Claridge didn’t need to throw the ball, completing four of just five pass attempts for 76 yards with one scoring toss to JT Tate from 33 yards away.

Snowflake accumulated 253 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Zach Solomon led the way, gaining 78 yards on six rushes and scoring a pair of touchdowns. Trent Hatch carried eight times for 47 yards, scoring once. Tanner Willis rushed twice, picking up 43 yards. Alex Patterson carried it four times for 25 yards with one score. Bradley Smith gained 18 yards on two runs, finding the end zone once. Richard Baird gained 13 yards on a single run. Claridge carried twice for 11 yards and scored once. Daylon Flake also rushed twice, picking up nine yards. Luke Craun had one run for a five-yard touchdown. Calvin Stepp rushed once for four yards.

Along with Tate’s scoring reception, Hatch had one catch for 21 yards. Keegan Bjornn had one reception for 16 yards, and Patterson caught one pass for six yards.

Snowflake’s defense returned three of its four interceptions for scores, with Willis, Kurt Wood and Jade Bjornn each collecting a pick six.

Following their sixth win of the season, the Lobos now face a difficult three-week stretch in their schedule, which, if nothing else, will prepare them for the state playoffs. This week they will host Blue Ridge. Last season the Lobos easily handled the Yellowjackets, 50-10. Two years ago Blue Ridge won this match up 38-35. Expect this game to be somewhere between those two outcomes.

The Yellowjackets suffered their first loss of the season last week, losing to Payson by a single point. Next week Snowflake hosts that same Payson squad. In three weeks, the Lobos may face their biggest hurdle when they travel to Show Low to face the unbeaten Cougars.