By Greg Perkins It had been a long time since Holbrook had been on the football field. Due to COVID implications the Roadrunners didn’t open their season like most teams did on Oct. 3. Instead they had to wait one additional week before opening the campaign with a trip to Camp Verde. This was a good match up on paper for both programs who have struggled in recent years. Holbrook has dropped down from 3A to the 2A ranks in hopes of being more competitive in football. The Cowboys are coming off a couple of seasons in which they have been trying to rebuild as well. Camp Verde did play in the first week suffering a big loss to Arizona Lutheran. Holbrook took possession first picking up just one first down before having to punt. Camp Verde returned that punt for a touchdown, but it was called back due to a flag. What wasn’t called back was a 64-yard touchdown run which came soon after, putting the Cowboys on top 6-0. Holbrook’s next possession went the wrong way quickly when a backwards pass was scooped up by the Cowboys and returned 70 yards making the score 14-0 with the two-point conversion. Holbrook put together a solid drive highlighted by a long pass from Marcus Oberriter to Daniel Montijo, which moved the ball deep into Cowboy territory. John O’Brien scored on a five-yard run, pulling Holbrook closer at 14-6 at the close of the first quarter. Camp Verde opened up a large lead in the second period and at one point in the game led 52-14. Holbrook battled throughout the game, scoring three touchdowns in the fourth period. Two came from back-up quarterback Quentin Thomas who replaced Oberriter after he left the game late in the fourth with an injury. Holbrook eventually lost the game 52-36. Camp Verde threw just one pass all night completing it for three yards. The rest of the night they gashed Holbrook’s defense with their run game to the tune of 443 yards. Junior Jacob Oothoudt led the way with 202 yards. Team mate Peyton Kelley added 111. Holbrook had a little success through the air but really struggled on the ground. Oberriter did have some nice runs, with most coming out of scramble situations where he was pressured by the Cowboy defensive line. Holbrook played hard throughout forcing some late game turnovers by Camp Verde which they capitalized on. Unfortunately, by that point the game was already out of hand. Things won’t get any easier with St. Johns coming to town on Friday night. The Redskins head coach Mike Morgan is looking for a win which would set the all-time win record for football coaches in the state of Arizona. Seating will be limited due to COVID protocols. Only 72 St. Johns fans will be allowed entry into the game. Each Holbrook player will have just five tickets for family to watch the game. Fans without tickets to purchase will not be allowed into the game on Friday night.
