The Winslow Bulldogs defeated the Blue Ridge Yellow Jackets 25-6 in Pinetop on Friday. The win was Winslow’s second in as many outings and left Blue Ridge 3-0 for the season in what may be the worse start ever for the defending Arizona Division Four Champions.

The game was close for the first three quarters and Blue Ridge actually led after the first quarter and the game was tied at the intermission.

The Yellow Jackets drove 77 yards the first time they had the ball and scored on a one yard plunge by Nathan Miles with 8:12 left in the first quarter. A long run by Miles set up the touchdown and he was the key to Blue Ridge’s offense all night. The conversion attempt failed and the Yellow Jackets led 6-0, which was still the score when the quarter ended although the Bulldogs were threatening in the midst of a 59-yard drive.

Tres Cake scored on a three-yard run to tie the score with 10:03 left in the second quarter. The conversion failed and the game was tied and remained tied until the intermission. A key pass interference penalty had kept Winslow’s drive alive. The Bulldogs had three serious threats aborted in the first half.

  1. J. Chacon gave the Bulldogs their first lead with a 78-yard punt return with 4:46 left in the third quarter. The two-point conversion pass failed and the Bulldogs led 12-6. That was the score going into the final period but Akkeem Foster had intercepted a Blue Ridge pass at the Yellow Jackets 40-yard line and the Bulldogs were in the shadow of the goal post entering that period.

Rey Velez scored on a one-yard run and Winslow led 18-6 after a conversion run failed.

Foster scored Winslow’s final touchdown on a 30-yard run with just 4:35 left in the game. C. J. Chacon booted a long extra point after the first attempt was negated by a penalty and the 25-6 final score was on the board.

The Bulldog defense was impressive and after their opening drive it was obvious that the Yellow Jackets would have difficulty scoring. Winslow had several players leave the game with injuries although only Jalen Hayes appeared serious with a concussion. Cake also left the game with an apparent injury.

The Bulldogs will host the Round Valley Elks in their Homecoming Game on Friday, Sept 12. Round Valley easily coasted past the Williams Vikings 60-6 last Friday.