Holbrook won their fifth game in a row on Friday night, with a 50-6 road win at Red Mesa. That win sets up what is essentially a playoff game this Friday night with Pinon. The Eagles are unbeaten on the season with an impressive 8-0 record. The teams they have defeated have a combined record of 11-53. Holbrook’s 5-3 mark is slightly better vs teams with a combined record of 25-39, with 17 of those opponents wins coming outside of region play from Holbrook’s first three opponents, Winslow, Page and St. Johns.
The winner of this Friday night’s game will most likely win the Little Colorado Region title giving them a guaranteed spot in the 16-team bracket. The loser of the game will be out of the playoff picture. If Holbrook wins, they will win the region crown for the third year in a row. They would also earn a trip to the postseason as the region champion, most likely as a 15 or 16 seed, and have to face one of the top two seeds in the state playoffs.
Against Red Mesa, the Roadrunners did most of their damage on the ground with 374 yards of rushing and six touchdowns. Darnell Nez led the team with 16 carries for 161 yards. Matthias Montijo finished with 149 yards on 15 totes. Montijo found the endzone three times and Nez scored one touchdown. Noah Padilla rushed for 26 yards on three attempts with a touchdown. Simeon Shaw found the endzone on his only carry from a yard out. Darren Justman carried twice, gaining 25 yards. Mason Archunde had three carries for 12 yards.
Justman completed five of his 13 pass attempts for 73 total yards with one touchdown and one interception. Mason Archunde had two catches for 14 total yards, with one score. Shaw had four grabs for 73 total yards.
Shaw had a good offensive night and also led the defensive unit with six tackles. Michael Archunde, Chance Sahmie and Noah Padilla had five tackles each. Victor Saiz had one quarterback sack. He and Larin Nez each recovered one Red Mesa fumble.
Friday night will also be Holbrook’s final home game of the season. as they finish the regular season in two weeks in Tuba City.
