The top ranked Cougars defeated the Winslow Bulldogs 21-6 last Friday in Show Low. The win improved Show Low’s record to a perfect 10-0 for the season and dropped Winslow’s to 6-4.
The Bulldogs may have played their best game of the season against the mighty Cougars. There was speculation that Winslow will be a playoff team. One possibility mentioned was that the Bulldogs might go to Kayenta to meet Monument Valley, which beat Winslow 24-23 there in the season opener.
The Cougars marched 71 yards to score on their opening possession on a seven-yard pass from Ryan Ricedorff to Chris Imoto. The conversion by Cole Gardanier gave Show Low a 7-0 lead.
Winslow drove the ball to threaten, but lost the ball on downs. Show Low returned the favor, threatening, but losing the balls on downs. The first quarter ended with Show Low leading 7-0.
Both teams threatened in the second quarter, but the only score did not come until just 18 seconds remained in the half. Ricedorff passed 16 yards to Jason Brown to complete a 71-yard drive. Gardanier converted for a 14-0 lead at the intermission.
Titus Russell pulled down a big interception for Winslow and the Bulldogs finally scored on a six-yard run by Mikel Bonner with 6:47 left in the game. The two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving Show Low leading 14-6.
Show Low drove 65 yards and scored on a 10-yard run by Brown to put the game away with less than two minutes left to play.
The Cougars will be a top seed in the playoffs. Winslow must await the pairings, but may be a participant.
