The Roadrunner football season come to a close on Friday night at San Tan Charter High School. The top-seeded San Tan downed the 16th-seeded Holbrook Roadrunners 50-24 in the opening round of the 2A state football playoffs.
Holbrook had put together another solid season with a 7-3 overall mark and had won the 2A Little Colorado region for the fourth consecutive year. However, facing one of the top teams at the 2A level was too much to overcome.
Holbrook stayed close in the first quarter which ended with San Tan on top 7-0, following a 25-yard touchdown toss. Early in the second quarter, Holbrook put together a seven-play drive ending in a score closing the gap to 7-6. That would be as close as the Birds would come.
San Tan returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards to go up 15-6, with the two-point conversion. Their bruising fullback scored on back-to-back plays extending the lead to 29-6 before the half.
Holbrook threatened late in the half but an interception near the endzone ended the threat.
Needing to start the second half strong to get back in the game, Holbrook gave up a 74-yard touchdown pass on the opening play of the third quarter and trailed 36-6. The top seed added another score two minutes later extending their lead to 43-6.
Holbrook scored with 4:30 left in the third on a speedy 80-yard run by Matthiasa Montijo. The two-point conversion failed. After recovering an onside kick Holbrook again put points on the board, this time with a short run by Darren Justman closing the gap to 43-18.
San Tan Charter put their final points on the board midway through the fourth making the score 50-18.
Despite the score and a credit to Holbrook’s coaching staff and players, the Birds kept playing hard and were rewarded with a second Justman rushing touchdown making the final score 50-24.
Holbrook ends the season with a 7-4 overall record.
They did have several players who received post-season all-region recognition for their efforts during the season. Those named to the first team all-region were Darren Justman, defensive back, and quarterback; Simeon Shaw, defensive back, receiver and punt returner; Victor Saiz, defensive lineman and offensive lineman; William Kinds, kickoff returner; Christian Lerma, linebacker; Auggie Saiz, offensive lineman; Baler Reidhead; placekicker; and Daniel John, receiver.
Those receiving the second team all-region were William Kinds, defensive back; Manny Rico, linebacker; and Mathias Montijo, running back.
Christian Lerma was named the Region Defensive Player of the Year.
Those named to the honorable mention all-region team were Devon Ambrose, Calvin Hoskie, Gage Jones and Chance Sahmie.
