Holbrook’s four-year run atop the 2A north region came to an end on Friday night in Tuba City. The 23rd-ranked Warriors upset 18th-ranked Holbrook, 20-18, to secure the 2A north region title in the region crossover game.
Tuba City led 14-6 at the half, then pushed its advantage to 20-6 late in the third. Holbrook rallied in the second half, scoring twice, but both 2-point conversions failed, leaving them looking up at a 2-point deficit late in the game. Tuba City was able to run out the clock in the fourth, bringing an end to Holbrook’s hold on the north region title.
Manny Rico scored Holbrook’s only points in the first half on a short 1-yard plunge. The conversion run failed. He scored again in the third quarter this time, from 11 yards out, but once again the 2 point conversion failed. Holbrook’s final touchdown came on a Matthias Montijo seven-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Filling in for an injured Darren Justman, Jonathan Sample completed 10 of 15 passes for 166 yards and rushed for an additional 28 yards. Simeon Shaw had another stellar receiving night, finishing with 150 yards on 10 catches. Rico carried 8 times for 50 yards and had 8 additional yards receiving. Montijo gained 72 yards on 18 runs.
With the loss, the Roadrunners plummeted to 23rd in the final 2A rankings. This year, with the 2A playoff field expanded to 24 teams, Holbrook has made the playoffs. However, they will now have to travel to Pima on Friday night to face the 10th seeded Roughriders. Pima has the same 6-4 record as Holbrook does; however, they have played a tougher overall schedule.
Their four losses are to second-ranked Scottsdale Christian, fourth ranked St. Johns, Round Valley (third ranked in 3A), and sixth ranked Willcox.
Holbrook’s four losses are to fourth-ranked St. Johns, eighth-ranked Camp Verde, 18th-ranked Tuba City and 22nd-ranked Scottsdale Prep.
For Holbrook to win this game, they hope to have senior starting quarterback Justman back in the lineup. If not, then sophomore quarterback Sample will have to rely on his offensive line to hold out a big and physical Pima defensive front. If the Birds can pull off the upset, they would face seventh-ranked San Tan Charter in the second round of the playoffs on Nov. 7. If they can’t get past Pima, their season will come to a close.
