The Lobos are headed to the Division IV state football playoffs as the overall No. 2 seed in power points after crushing Safford 49-7 at Lobo Stadium Friday night, pushing their record to 9-1 with the only loss to top ranked Blue Ridge. Snowflake had been on the road for three weeks, winning all three games prior to returning to the comforts of home.
Chase Walden opened the scoring with 3:01 left in the first period on a 17-yard run. Just over two minutes later he scored again, this time from two yards out to give the home team a 14-0 lead.
In the first minute of the second period the lead grew larger when Brit Smith scored on a two-yard run. Walden then capped the first half scoring with an eight-yard rushing score midway through the second quarter.
Tyler Johnson returned to the lineup two weeks ago and early in the third quarter he returned to the end zone, hauling in a 47-yard touchdown pass from Walden. Snowflake’s defense then scored when Hunter Farr returned a Bulldog interception 22 yards, pushing the lead to 42-0. A second defensive score came with under five minutes left in the third period, this time on a Ty Reidhead pick six from 26 yards out. Farr was seven for seven on extra point kicks in the game.
Safford avoided the shutout with a late game score against primarily backup players for the Lobos, who went deep into their bench on both sides of the ball.
Walden was efficient passing the ball, completing eight of 11 for 186 yards and a touchdown. Reidhead was good on four of eight for 71 yards with one interception. Porter Black completed his only pass attempt for 23 yards. Combined, the Lobo quarterbacks completed 13 of 20 for 280 yards. Six different receivers made catches, led by Jake Shumway with three grabs for 72 yards. Johnson had two for 65; Dallin Merrell, three for 45; Braccin Tanner, two for 45; Doug Brimhall, two for 30; and Lehi Caldwell, one for 23 yards.
On the ground the Lobos rolled up 158 yards. Twelve different runners handled the ball in the win. Topping that group was Smith with four carries for 73 yards. Walden rushed six times for 27. Josh Kelley ran just once, gaining 27 yards. Black gained 19 yards on two runs. Rick Shumway rushed once for 14 and Johnson gained 11 yards on five attempts.
Forrest Touchstone led the defense with five tackles, including a sack. Reidhead, Tanner, Josh Kelley, Garett Hunt and Jordan Henderson made four tackles each. Farr had two interceptions and Reidhead picked off the Bulldog quarterback once. Tanner and Henderson each had a fumble recovery.
Safford 0 0 0 7 7
Snowflake 14 14 21 0 49
The Lobos will host 15th seeded Window Rock on Friday night, Nov. 4, in the opening round of the playoffs. The Scouts will not give the Lobos much of a test and they will most likely meet up with Florence in the second round. The Gophers are the 7th seed and will have little problem getting past 10th seeded Monument Valley in their first round match-up. Snowflake is on the same side of the bracket as third seeded Show Low. Most area fans expect these two to match up in the semifinal round of the playoffs, but the Cougars will have to get past both Mingus, who played the Lobos tough, and Empire in their side of the bracket.
