The Winslow Bulldogs will host the Page Sand Devils at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1, at Emil Nasser Stadium in their Homecoming game. The Bulldogs defeated the Monument Valley Mustangs 35-6 in their opening game in Winslow last Friday. Page beat the Blue Ridge Yellowjackets 40-6 in its season opener and lost to Coconino in Flagstaff last Friday 21-14 in a very close game.
The Sand Devils have a new coach and were well pleased with their victory over Blue Ridge, which was a power in the north and east until recent years. The Yellowjackets did come back and pound Window Rock 66-0 last week, but they are still not likely the type of team legendary coach Paul Moro produced.
Winslow got a good game from quarterback Junior Villanueva, and most of the receivers and running backs. Yoann Djassa, Noah Upchurch, Damon Avalar and Darrien “Peanut” Brown were very effective on offense, as well as playing defense. Ahli Foster was a standout on defense and the whole Bulldog defense played an excellent game. The only worry may be the talented Winslow runner Mikel Bonner, who was injured late in the contest.
The Bulldogs saw one of their most dangerous rivals fall as Round Valley beat the Show Low Cougars 42-12 in their first game. The Cougars will play Chinle on Friday and will probably get back on track. Another dangerous rival got off to an even worse start as the Payson Longhorns have lost to the Safford Bulldogs 42-0 and to Casteel, a powerful opponent, 63-0.
The season is young and teams like the Snowflake Lobos and the Holbrook Roadrunners are yet to come, but the Bulldogs have hopes of another playoff season and going deeper or even winning a championship.
