By Sam Conner The Winslow Bulldog football team held a brief controlled scrimmage with the Cowboys last Thursday in Camp Verde. The scrimmage was ended after 21 plays due to the danger posed by a lightning storm. Winslow ran 11 plays and reached the end zone twice. Camp Verde did not score in 10 plays. The Bulldogs returned home and held a practice scrimmage to see some players who did not get to see much action in the abbreviated controlled scrimmage. Both events were held to prepare the Bulldogs for their season opener against the Sedona Red Rock Scorpions on the road on Friday. The Bulldogs ran the ball well against the Cowboys and scored on a seven-yard run by Kelly Wood. Tito Johnson scored the second Winslow touchdown on a 60-yard pass from James Martinez. There were no conversions as there never are in a controlled scrimmage. Winslow Coach B.J. Little said that he was pleased with how his team played on both offense and defense. He had praise for a number of players, including fullback Jonathan Oso, who ran the ball well, defensive end Jacob Huddleson and running back Henry Montiel. He was also pleased with the performance of young players like sophomore Trace Hardy and a pair of freshmen, C.J. Chacon and Hakeem Foster. Foster is a transfer from Holbrook, and was much touted by his coach. Winslow topped Sedona Red Rock 34-20 last season in Winslow, and Little said that the Scorpions are a dangerous opponent. He noted that they are well coached and use a lot of motion. The Bulldogs must be wary, and not make mis-takes or draw penalties. Apparently, the Scorpions have moved their best running back to quarterback. Sedona will have many new players, as it fielded primarily a senior team last season. The Bulldogs are slated to face many top quality teams this season. One of the best in their division got a head start when the defending state champion Blue Ridge Yellowjackets beat Moape Valley of Nevada 23-14 last Friday in the Barry Sollenberger Classic at Glendale. Blue Ridge allowed only two touchdowns to the tough Nevada team and one of those was in the closing seconds on a punt return after the game was decided. The Yellowjackets are a perennial top high school in the state, and will be Winslow’s last opponent in the regular season. Both Little and Blue Ridge Coach Paul Moro are likely hoping this will be an important contest between two teams that remain as state championship contend-ers.