Holbrook traveled to St. Johns on Friday night and came home with a 25-16 loss. The game started well enough with Darnell Nez returning the opening kick-off back to midfield for Holbrook’s first possession. That early momentum ended with a Roadrunner fumble inside the St. Johns 20-yard line. Turnovers would become a theme for Holbrook on the night.
St. Johns marched down the field, scoring at the 4:12 mark of the opening quarter on a 16-yard pass connection on a fourth and goal play.
Holbrook’s defense forced a Redskin fumble on their next possession but the Roadrunners had to turn the ball back over on downs.
Following a second St. Johns score putting them on top 13-8, Matthias Montijo scampered 85 yards, putting Holbrook on the board at the 4:21 mark of the second quarter. Mason Archunde’s point after put the Birds on top 16-13 with just over a minute left in the half.
Holbrook was able to move the ball on the ground in the second half, but they had no passing offense. St. Johns tacked on a short touchdown run in the third, then sealed the game late in the fourth with another short run making the final score 25-16 and handing the Roadrunners their third loss of the season.
Archunde was 0-6 throwing the ball. Backup Tharon James completed just one of two passes for 10 yards. Montijo caught that 10-yard aerial.
On the ground Montijo carried 10 times, picking up 146 yards with one 84-yard touchdown run. Nez had five totes for 54 yards, including a long 41-yard scoring run. Mason Archunde rushed seven times gaining 44 yards.
Holbrook threw two interceptions and lost three fumbles, which really hurt the drives they were able to put together.
Defensively, Nez led with 15 tackles. Archunde, and Noah Padilla each added 13, and Victor Saiz had 12.
Holbrook drops to 0-3 on the season, but their schedule now turns to All Little Colorado Region competition where they will be favored in every game. They will host Sanders next Monday night. The game, originally scheduled for this Friday had to be moved to Monday due to a lack of available officials for Friday’s game.
The Pirates, like Holbrook, are 0-3 and are coming off two big losses including a 34-6 loss last week to Window Rock. Holbrook should be able to get a mark in the win column on Monday night.
