Friday night in the cold weather, Roadrunner fans were able to witness Holbrook’s football team win their first postseason game since 1993 when Coach Brian Miller’s squad defeated Window Rock in the first round.
Shawn Holley has added his name and his team to the record books with Holbrook’s 42-18 win over visiting Veritas Prep on a cold Friday night at Roadrunner Stadium.
Veritas Prep arrived late due to bus problems, and their offense struggled throughout the first half. In the second half, they came to life with a backup quarterback, but by then Holbrook was comfortably in front.
After holding the Falcons to three and out on their first possession, Holbrook put together a long scoring drive capped by a 19-yard touchdown pass from Marcus Oberriter to Simeon Shaw with 4:53 left in the first period. Oberriter found Tristian Cowboy for the two-point conversion and the Birds were on top 8-0.
The Falcon’s next possession ended with a Holbrook interception. Holbrook’s defense forced seven Veritas Prep turnovers on the night. Holbrook quickly added to their lead when Daniel Montijo scooted in from 50 yards out on a flip pass from Oberriter.
Shaw intercepted the Falcon’s next threat in the end zone. He then hauled in a 15-yard scoring toss from Oberriter pushing the lead to 22-0 with the two-point conversion. Larin Nez recovered a Falcon fumble thwarting their final drive before the half.
The second half was closer in scoring, but Holbrook’s 22-point halftime cushion really kept them comfortably in front throughout the half.
Montijo had another huge night on the ground. He scooted 78 yards on the first play of the second half pushing the lead to 30-0. The senior back added another 10-yard scoring run later in the third period.
Veritas Prep scored three times in the third quarter, all from the hands of their backup quarterback, but Holbrook matched nearly every score. The Roadrunners’ final points of the night came on a strip sack recovered by Victor Saiz in the end zone for the defensive score.
Holbrook was balanced on offense totaling 573 yards. They rushed for 256 and threw for 277. Oberriter completed 21 of 33 passes for 277 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. He rushed 13 times picking up 74 yards. Montijo rushed 21 times gaining 192 yards with two scores. He also had one 14-yard catch. Freshman Shaw carried three times for 30 yards and had six receptions for 58 yards with two scores. Izzy Ramos caught five for 44; Tristian Cowboy, three for 56; Chase Sahmie, four for 37; and Daniel John had one 13-yard catch.
Noah Padilla led the defense with nine tackles. Ramos had 6; Daniel Montijo, Taedon Cowboy, Larin Nez and Tristian Cowboy each had five stops. Montijo picked off two Falcon passes. Sahmie and Shaw had one each. Montijo recovered one fumble, as did Larin Nez. Victor Saiz’s fumble recovery was in the endzone for six points.
With the win, Holbrook now advances in the bracket to face No. 4 Willcox. The Cowboys easily took care of St. Johns 49-7 in their Friday night meeting. Holbrook defeated the Redksins 20-13, in a much closer contest a few weeks back.
Willcox has a power-rushing attack with two senior running backs who have combined for nearly 3000 rushing yards and 47 touchdowns this season. They are 9-2 on the season but both losses were to the top two teams in 2A, Pima, and Morenci by a combined three touchdowns. They are not a strong passing team. This game will be a match-up of Holbrook’s quick-strike passing game vs the Cowboy’s strong running game. Whichever team’s defense can stop the strength of the others’ offense will have the edge. Expect a lot of points to be scored.
Last year Holbrook’s season came to an end in Willcox by a final of 42-32. Does Holbrook avenge that loss or will they again see their season end a long way from home? Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. in Willcox. The winner more than likely gets to take on top-seeded Pima in the semi-final game. Pima is facing No. 8 Camp Verde. The Cowboys have just one loss this year and could potentially upset the Roughriders, but more than likely Pima will advance. Morenci Gilbert Christian, Scottsdale Christian, and Tonapah Valley all advanced in the lower part of the bracket.
