By Sam Conner The Northwest Christian Crusaders defeated the Winslow Bulldogs 49-6 in the first round of the 3A Conference Football Playoffs on Friday in Phoenix. Northwest Christian had a 10-1 record going into the second round against Benjamin Franklin, 35-6 winners over Wickenburg. Winslow finished the season with a 6-5 record. Northwest Christian dominated the game with its large line and excellent defense. Winslow played hard but had to be satisfied with its success of making the playoffs. The Bulldogs even managed to score on the top seeded Crusaders. Northwest Christian scored on their second possession after a good punt return on a five-yard run by Aren Van Hofwegen. The conversion by Ben Ogan gave the Crusaders a 7-0 lead. On their next possession the Crusaders scored on another five-yard run by Van Hofwegen. The conversion by Ogan increased the lead to 14-0, which was the score at the end of the first quarter. Quarterback Jonathan Metzger ran 14 yards for the first touchdown of the second quarter. Ogan’s conversion increased the lead to 21-0. The Crusaders continued to run up the score as Brady Wijbrandts scored on a 45-yard run. Ogan’s conversion increased the lead to 28-0. Jonathan Metzger passed 31 yards to Dustin Inness for a touchdown and Ogan’s conversion gave the Crusaders a 42-0 lead and meant that the second half would be played with a running clock. The Crusaders scored early in the third quarter on a 30-yard pass from Metzger to Jacob Sherwood and the conversion by Ogan increasing their lead to 49-0. The Bulldogs drove 79 yards and scored on a one-yard run by Nick Reyes in the last minute of the game. In other games, Snowflake defeated Fountain Hills, 32-0; Sabino defeated Blue Ridge, 38-6; and Yuma Catholic defeated Show Low, 49-20. Snowflake is the only 3A East team remaining in the playoffs and will meet Sabino, 38-6 winners over Blue Ridge. The only other team Winslow played in the regular season was the Page Sand Devils who defeated Pusch Ridge 48-2 on Friday and will meet Valley Christian, 44-6 winners over Coolidge. The Safford Bulldogs defeated Odyssey Institute 34-0 and will meet Yuma Catholic, 49-20 winners over Show Low.
