Winslow Bulldog Michael Romero-Cortez is shown here on his way to a touchdown against Window Rock. The score was Bulldogs 46, Window Rock 0.
On Aug. 23, the Winslow Bulldogs started the season with a new Head Coach Jordan Payne who moved up after Coach Guzman moved to the Valley. Coach Payne also brought back some familiar coaches to Bulldog fans including BJ Little, Devon Sawyer, Carlos Queszada, Brian Sewell, Jordon James, Chad Sullivan, Clint Weishan, Avery Smith and Preston Despain. With the motto back to the basic Bulldog Roots. This year the Bulldogs also were moved back into the 3A North region.
In the first game of the season, the Bulldogs hosted the Window Rock Scouts of Fort Defiance. The Winslow High School choir ensemble was led by Denise Estudillo in the singing the National Anthem to start the game.
Just three minutes into the game the Bulldogs would get their first touchdown on a 3-yard carry by Kavion Bumgarner-Ulibarri, with no point after. Midway through the quarter, Bulldog Ethan Tso would recover a Window Rock fumble and on the following play Michael Romero, would score on a 40-yard run. Bulldog Romero would again find the end zone on an 8-yard run after getting the ball back on downs. With only a minute remaining in the quarter, the fans would be treated to a very memorable touchdown when Bulldog Isaac David would jump up to block a punt and then having the presence of mind to run 15-yards into the end zone and down the ball for a touchdown. Bulldog quarterback Gino Quinones would find Romero for the 2-point conversion and end the first quarter with a score of Winslow 26, Window Rock 0.
The second quarter would start off as exciting as the first quarter ending when on the first play Bulldog Connor Thomas would recover a Window Rock fumble and in the next play Joseph Guerrero run 25 yards in for the touchdown. Bryce Williams would kick the point after. Midway through the quarter, Thomas would take the ball in from the 2-yard line, making the halftime score Winslow 39, Window Rock 0.
The second half would start with a running clock and the only score would come halfway through the third quarter following an interception by Romero and Guerrero scoring on a 22-yard carry on the next play. The point after kick by Emmanuel Bollin, ending with a final score of Winslow 46, Window Rock 0.
Winslow had 46 yard passing and 174 yards rushing for a total of 220 yards. Next Friday the Bulldogs will travel to Payson to take on the Longhorns.
