The Winslow Bulldogs defeated the Wildcats 52-7 in Chinle last Friday night. The win improved Winslow’s record to 6-3 for the season and improved the Bulldogs’ chance for a favorable playoff berth and even a home game to start the playoffs. Chinle fell to 2-7 for the season.
The Wildcats started the game with a serious threat when Rodney Nez returned the opening kickoff 82 yards to the Winslow five yard line. The Bulldog defense held strong and took the ball on downs at the six yard line. A Winslow fumble gave the Wildcats another scoring opportunity at the Bulldogs’ 22 yard line, but again the defense was up to the challenge and took the ball on downs at the 15 yard line.
The Bulldogs managed to change the field position battle mainly due to a fourth and one gamble at about their 25 yard line. Akkeem Foster then booted a 54-yard punt pinning the Wildcats at their five yard line.
The first time they had the ball with good field position the Bulldogs scored on a 54-yard run by Foster with 3:34 left in the first quarter. Nick Marquez converted for a 7-0 Winslow lead.
The next time they had the ball the Bulldogs scored on a 76-yard run by freshman speedster Darrien “Peanut” Brown. The conversion failed and Winslow led 13-0 as the first quarter ended.
An apparent touchdown on a 21-yard run by Brown was negated by a holding penalty, but Foster scored again on a seven-yard run moments later. The conversion kick was blocked and Winslow led 19-0 with over six minutes left in the half.
Later Rey Chavez-Velez passed 20 yards to C.J. Chacon for a touchdown, and Foster ran for the two-point conversion and a 27-0 Winslow lead with less than two minutes left in the half. That did not end the scoring, though, as Winslow got the ball back and scored on a 50-yard pass from Chavez-Velez to Foster. The conversion failed and the Bulldogs went to the locker room with a 33-0 lead.
Three plays into the second half Brown ran 70 yards for a touchdown. The conversion by Marquez gave the Bulldogs a commanding 40-0 lead.
The Wildcats drove to the Winslow 26 yard line, but were stopped when Tres Cake intercepted a fourth down pass. Moments later Chacon ran 81 yards for a touchdown. The conversion was blocked and Winslow led 46-0.
The Winslow defense held Chinle and Chacon returned a Wildcat punt 81 yards, the same distance he had run from scrimmage earlier for another Bulldog touchdown. Winslow led 52-0 entering the fourth quarter, which was played with a running clock.
The Wildcats got on the scoreboard with only seconds remaining in the game on a one-yard run by Kody White. Isiah Towne converted to cut the lead to 52-7. Winslow ran out the clock and walked off the field with the 52-7 victory.
The Bulldogs will host the Page Sand Devils in the final game of the regular season on Friday, Oct. 31. It will be Senior Night at Emil Nasser Stadium. Page is also 6-3 after defeating the Window Rock Scouts 21-6 at home last Friday.
