The Winslow Bulldogs should be favored against the Holbrook Roadrunners on Friday at Holbrook in a game that certainly looks more important to them after the results of last week’s games.
Winslow’s surprising 20-14 loss to the Payson Longhorns damaged their chances of a favorable seeding in the state playoffs and probably cost them an opportunity to host a first round game. A loss to the Roadrunners could even cost them a berth in the playoffs.
The current AIA playoff prediction lists the Bulldogs at 15th, just behind Blue Ridge. Snowflake is listed 10th, the top team in the northern part of the state. Show Low, Winslow’s opponent for the last game of the regular season, is listed as 12th. The next closest opponent of the Bulldogs is Page at 17th, probably just out of the playoffs.
Holbrook is 6-2 coming into Friday’s contest and really has no chance of making the playoffs. However, the contest is between two rivals and a victory for the Roadrunners would be the best moment of the season. Holbrook has upset some good Winslow teams before and would like nothing better than to do so again.
The Bulldogs need the win more, but it is an important game for the Roadrunners, too. It should be an interesting and important contest that may decide whether the Bulldogs are in the playoffs or not and what their chances of success there are.
