The Bulldogs may have taken the win over the Roadrunners last Friday in Winslow but it was a win for both communities as they came together to enjoy a friendly rivalry. Above, No. 30 Manny Rico catches a pass as fellow Bulldogs clear a path by fending off the Roadrunners. Following the game, Winslow Mayor Roberta “Birdie” Cano (left) and Holbrook Mayor Kathleen Smith (right) share some good-natured fun.
The Bulldogs may have taken the win over the Roadrunners last Friday in Winslow but it was a win for both communities as they came together to enjoy a friendly rivalry. Above, No. 30 Manny Rico catches a pass as fellow Bulldogs clear a path by fending off the Roadrunners. Following the game, Winslow Mayor Roberta “Birdie” Cano (left) and Holbrook Mayor Kathleen Smith (right) share some good-natured fun. Photos by Richard Larson and courtesy of Birdie Cano

The first two weeks of the season have not gone as Holbrook had hoped for. Following their season-opening loss to Page last week, the Roadrunners were shut down offensively by Winslow on Friday night in a 29-6 Bulldog win, sending Holbrook to 0-2 on the season.

Winslow looked like they would run away with the game scoring on their first two possessions, building a 14-0 lead. Holbrook gave Winslow two additional points late in the half by snapping the ball out of the endzone giving the Bulldogs a 16-0 lead. Holbrook quarterback Darren Justman found William Kinds on a seam route late in the half, picking up 59 yards. That set up a 19-yard touchdown pass from Justman to Daniel John right before the half ended with the Bulldogs on top 16-6.

Winslow controlled the second half keeping Holbrook out of the endzone. The Bulldogs extended their lead midway through the third period. They scored the final points of the game in the fourth.

Justman completed 17 of 32 passes for 214 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, one of those coming deep in Winslow territory. Holbrook picked up a meager 71 yards on the ground. Manny Rico carried 13 times for 52 yards. Justman scrambled twice picking up 15 yards, and Levi Autobee had three yards rushing.

Simeon Shaw had six receptions for 65 yards. Kinds had the one 59-yard catch and run. John caught two for 30 yards with the score. Christian Lerma had two catches for 29 total yards. Chance Sahmie had two for 16 yards. Manny Rico had four short catches for 15 total yards.

Winslow’s Gino Quinones completed 7 of 13 passes for 49 yards, with one interception. The Bulldogs did their damage on the ground. Bryce Williams gained 124 yards on 18 runs. Michael Romero-Cortez had 94 yards on 10 rushes, with three of those carries going for touchdowns.

Holbrook’s defense was led by Christian Lerma with 12 tackles. Manny Rico had 11 stops. Auggie Saiz made 10 tackles.

This week Holbrook hosts St. Johns. This game has suddenly become critical for the Roadrunner’s hopes of not being the No. 16 seed again in the state playoffs, assuming they can cruise through the 2A North Region like they did last year.

St. Johns is 0-2 after getting beat by Blue Ridge 28-8 in week one and shut out 36-0 by rival Round Valley last week. They have scored just 8 points and may not be as strong as they were last year. Playing at home should help Holbrook, in what is already a must-win type of game. St. Johns won 25-16 last year. Holbrook may need to find more balance on offense, but they could put up enough points to take care of what appears to be a struggling Redskin team.

Remember admission is GOFAN only for Holbrook games this season.