The Winslow Bulldogs football team will journey to Payson on Friday, Oct. 14, to meet the Longhorns in a game that could be critical in their hopes for a state playoff berth.
The Bulldogs escaped with an 8-7 win over the Blue Ridge Yellowjackets in their game last Friday. The Yellowjackets came in with only two victories and having a down year, but led most of the game. Winslow needed a fourth quarter score and a two-point conversion pass to get the victory.
The win left the Bulldogs with a 5-2 record and, ironically, their playoff hopes may be decided by the two games they have played which were decided by a single point. Their opening loss to Monument Valley 24-23 and their 8-7 win over Blue Ridge could figure into whether they are a playoff team or not.
Payson has not had a good season and is definitely not a playoff team, but will be a challenge for the Bulldogs. You need look no further than last Friday to see that. The Longhorns were very much in the game against undefeated Snowflake and only lost to the Lobos 26-21. The Lobos easily rolled over the Bulldogs 48-0 at Snowflake earlier.
Snowflake and Show Low are the only undefeated teams and sure playoff participants in the region. Show Low defeated Holbrook 45-22 last Friday to go to 7-0 and will play Blue Ridge this Friday. Snowflake will meet Holbrook. Both Show Low and Snowflake are predicted to win.
Winslow will need a win at Payson to secure a playoff berth and even that may not be enough. The Bulldogs have a home game against the Holbrook Roadrunners and an away game against the mighty Show Low Cougars left in the regular season. Even an upset of the Cougars might not be enough to get a playoff berth.
All that the team can do now is play their best and hope that is good enough to make the postseason.
