As expected, the Lobos had little problem advancing past the first round of the Division IV state football playoffs with a resounding 56-7 home field win over Window Rock. The Scouts came in as the No. 15 seed and were no match for second seeded Snowflake.
Tyler Johnson has returned to the Lobo backfield in full force and showed it, scoring on a 24-yard run in the second minute of the game. His two-point conversion run put Snowflake on top 8-0. Just one minute later Chase Walden scored on a 23-yard run and the rout was for Snowflake as the Lobos played in front of their home field fans for the final time this season.
Braccin Tanner scored on a 19-yard run and Walden connected with Johnson for a 50-yard scoring strike to give the Lobos a 29-0 first period edge.
In the second, Josh Kelley scored from 12 yards out and Walden tossed his second scoring pass of the night, this time to Brandon Solomon from 12 yards away. The Scouts avoided the shutout with a score just before half, but the final outcome was already evident.
Leading 43-7 to open the second half, Walden hooked up with Brit Smith from 25 yards away early in the third period, increasing the Lobos’ margin. Trevor McNeil added a one-yard run for pay dirt and Hunter Farr’s extra point capped the scoring with the Lobos on top 56-7.
Snowflake piled up nearly 400 yards of total offense, with the majority coming from the rushing game behind their big offensive line. Playing with the big lead, Snowflake was able to utilize 15 different ball carriers. Leading that group in yards was Johnson with 51 on only two runs. McNeil gained 47 on four runs. Kelley rushed three times for 40 yards and Smith carried four times, gaining 30 yards. In the air Walden was efficient, completing six of seven attempts for 143 yards with three touchdowns. Johnson was the leading receiver with 50 yards on one catch. Dallin Merrell had two catches for 44 yards. Farr was again perfect on point after kicks, connecting on all six of his attempts.
Ty Reidhead led the defense with seven tackles. Garett Hunt, Tanner, and Jordan Henderson each made five stops.
Window Rk 0 7 0 0 7
Snowflake 29 14 13 0 56
On Saturday, Nov. 12, the Lobos will meet up with seventh seeded Florence, which soundly defeated Monument Valley 74-14 in first round action. Snowflake will battle the Gophers in the quarterfinal round at 7 p.m. on Saturday at North Canyon High School. Florence is a very athletic team, but the Lobos may well be the most balanced offensive team in the playoffs, and with a win they would most likely have a rematch with the Show Low Cougars in the semifinal round.
