Hosting Alchesay for homecoming, the Roadrunners met little resistance in moving their record to 7-0 with a 48-6 win over the previously once-beaten Falcons.
Leading 14-6 with 38 seconds left in the first half, Danny Montijo set up Holbrook’s final points of the half on a highlight-worthy 45-yard run over, around, and threw Alchesay defenders. That run set up a 15-yard connection from Marcus Oberriter to Izzy Ramos in the back of the endzone putting Holbrook on top 28-6 at the halftime break.
Holbrook’s first play of the third quarter was a 44-yard connection from Oberriter to Ramos, which set up an 11-yard scamper to the corner of the endzone by Daniel Montijo. Daniel Montijo’s point after two-yard plunge extended the lead to 36-6 with 11:35 left in the period. Just two minutes later Daniel Montijo found the endzone again on a similar play call, this time from 14 yards out making the score 42-6.
Holbrook’s next possession ended with a 38-yard catch and run by Tristian Cowboy for the final points of the night with Holbrook on top 48-6 with 3:08 left in the third quarter. With a running clock the rest of the way neither team scored in the fourth period.
Oberriter was highly efficient on the night completing 7 of 11 passes for 212 yards with a pair of touchdowns. He rushed only twice picking up 24 yards.
Daniel Montijo led the rushing attack with 104 yards and four touchdowns on only six runs. Mathias Montijo carried twice gaining 31 yards. Darnell Nez picked up 14 yards on a pair of runs. Maven Begay carried twice gaining four yards.
Ramos caught three passes for a total of 92 yards and one score. Kyle Smith and Cowboy each had 60 yards on two catches.
Larin Nez led the defense with 18 tackles. Daniel Montjio added 10; Mason Archunde, 9; Ramos, 9; Noah Padilla, 9; and Mauricio Baca also had 9. Oberriter had one interception which he returned 50 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter.
This week Holbrook has their biggest match-up of the season to this point. Even with three games left on the schedule, the Little Colorado River 2A region title will be on the line when Holbrook hosts St. Johns on Friday. Last year Holbrook was riding high when they traveled to St. Johns where they were manhandled by the Redskins 61-28. This year St. Johns is just 4-3 but has played a tougher schedule than Holbrook. Their three losses are to Blue Ridge, Round Valley, and somewhat surprisingly a 7-15 loss to a decent Miami team. They only have two opponents in common with Holbrook at this point. Like the Roadrunners they destroyed Pinon 63-6. They also beat Chinle in mid-September by ten points. Holbrook took care of Chinle a week later by 35 points. Based purely on that the edge has to go to Holbrook.
Holbrook and St. Johns have played six times in the past 10 years with the Redskins winning all six meetings including each of the past two seasons. This year many people say St. Johns is down from their usual football standard. If that is the case combined with Holbrook currently hitting on all cylinders the Roadrunners might be sitting good.
However, St. Johns is a school steeped in football tradition and they would like nothing more than to ruin Holbrook’s run to a perfect regular season and to claim the region title that Holbrook, St Johns and Alchesay all shared last year. Either way, this has the makings of being a great game.
Holbrook remained ranked fourth in the 2A rankings prior to their win over Alchesay. With the three teams above them in the rankings also winning they should remain in that fourth position for Friday. St. Johns with their three losses was ranked in the 16th and final spot for the playoffs.
