When the traditional battle of I-40 officially got underway, it was 23 hours past the scheduled start time of 7 p.m. on Friday. Due to persistent lightning in the area, Friday’s game was postponed to 6 p.m. on Saturday. The only official event that happened Friday was the coin flip, which Holbrook won and deferred.
So the kickoff for the game took place on Saturday. Fans from both schools were treated to a highly competitive game through the first half on a dry and comfortable evening.
Holbrook drew first blood with a short touchdown pass from Jonathan Sample to Trevor Williams. The 2-point conversion failed, leaving the hometown Roadrunners with an early 6-0 lead.
Winslow answered with a short scamper by Ziayra Baker on the ensuing possession. The Bulldogs made good on their conversion run, taking an 8-6 lead.
Sample and Myles Nockideneh hooked up for a long gain on a fourth-down play, putting Holbrook in scoring position. Sample ran in the final 2 yards, and Holbrook went back on top 12-8.
Winslow again answered the call, scoring on a short run, retaking the lead at 14-12. The Bulldog score left time on the clock for Holbrook and the Roadrunners scored the final points of the half on a Sample to Myles Nockideneh short connection, giving Holbrook an 18-14 halftime lead.
Early in the third quarter, the game changed. Holbrook’s starting quarterback, Sample, left the game for the night with an injury. Up until that point, the junior quarterback had accounted for nearly 200 yards of total offense and was involved in all three scores.
Once he left the game, Holbrook’s offense struggled mightily. Multiple fumbles and a couple of interceptions throughout the second half, one a pick-6, paved the way for Winslow to pull away for the 40-18 win.
Sample completed 6 of 18 passes for 136 yards with a pair of touchdowns. He also rushed for 64 yards on 9 carries and scored a third time.
Holbrook’s backup quarterbacks, Adian Stump and Drayden Baldonado, combined to complete 2 of 7 passes for 16 yards. Baldonado’s pick was returned for a Winslow score. Holbrook had numerous fumbles on the snap and had a 10-yard punt, all of which set Winslow up with great opportunities, which they took advantage of, securing the season-opening win.
Stump completed 1 of his 2 attempts for 3 yards. Baldonado went 1 for 5 with an interception.
Ordell Laughter carried 6 times, gaining 13 yards. Damien Ohlson carried 3 times for 6 total yards.
Nockideneh was Holbrook’s leading receiver with 4 catches for 94 yards and a touchdown. Trevor Williams had 2 for 16 yards, with a score. Kevin Brock had one 3-yard catch and Roman Candelaria had one 10-yard reception.
Holbrook finished with 235 yards of total offense.
This week, Holbrook will travel to face St. Johns for a Thursday night varsity game, due to the Apache County Fair on Friday night. The Redskins have traditionally been a powerhouse team. In the past three years, they outscored the Roadrunners 155-44, with Holbrook’s last win over St. Johns coming in 2022.
St. Johns won their season opener over Monument Valley 41-0 on Friday. The health of starting quarterback Sample may well dictate Holbrook’s chances in this game. If he is unable to play, then backup quarterbacks will certainly have to improve during this week in practice to prepare for what is typically a very physical St. Johns team.
Thursday night’s game will begin at 7 p.m. in St. Johns. There will not be a junior varsity game this week.
