The penultimate week of the regular season has arrived and with it come two of the biggest rivalries in the 3A East Region. Winslow travels down I-40 taking on Holbrook and Snowflake makes the short drive to battle Show Low. In 1A action Joseph City opens the state tournament on Saturday night with a game against the Trivium Prep Academy Crimson Knights.
The Winslow/Holbrook match up has been tremendously lopsided in terms of wins with the Bulldogs dominating in the past couple of decades. That still doesn’t take away from what might be a decent game this time around.
The Bulldogs started the season on a terror winning their first five games, but have since fallen down the rankings with three consecutive losses. They have also lost some key personnel along the way, which is what could make this game interesting.
Holbrook lost some of their key players early in the season, but has had some time to fit in new players. The Roadrunners are not going anywhere in terms of post season action, but Winslow is clinging to playoff hopes. Three weeks ago Winslow was ranked as high as No 3. They enter this contest ranked 15th and need to remain inside the top 16 to make the post season, although it looks as if two teams from outside the top 16 could potentially bump teams from the state bracket, meaning the Bulldogs would be much more comfortable sitting at No. 14 or higher.
With Show Low on the schedule next week, this game is pretty much a must win situation for Winslow to make the post season. Last year’s contest was a 40-26 outcome in favor of the Dawgs. Fans from both teams would like to see a similar type game this time around.
Snowflake struggled out of the gate early but has since improved their season mark to 6-2, while the Cougars come in at 5-3 after last week’s loss to rival Blue Ridge. Snowflake cruised to an easy win over Holbrook a week ago and definitely comes into this game more rested.
Show Low has won this match up in each of the past two seasons with both games decided by a touchdown or less. The Lobos haven’t won this contest since 2014. Last season the Lobos had just one regular season loss. That was 24-20 home field loss to Show Low. Friday night could be when they avenge the past two seasons and move into the top eight in the rankings. Heading into this game the Lobos are ranked 9th while the Cougars dipped to No. 13 after their loss to the Yellowjackets.
Joseph City (5-3) travels to Goodyear for state playoff match up with 6th seeded Trivium Prep (7-1). The 11th seeded Wildcats not only get to make the long bus trip they will also be facing a team they have never seen before. Trivium’s only loss of the season was to Superior in the first week of the season. They have since won seven straight games.
The two teams do have two common opponents this season. The Wildcats defeated Fredonia 48-20, while the Knights won that match up 55-6. A more telling score may be in the match up with Valley Union. Joseph City fell to the Blue Devils 48-12, while Trivium beat Valley Union last week 42-22. One major difference in the Wildcats now is the return of Matt Fields who makes them a completely different team. Question is, will it be enough for them to move onto the second round. If Joseph City can get the win they would face No. 3 Superior next Saturday.
