The Holbrook Roadrunners have another tough test lined up tonight (Oct. 7) when they welcome St. Johns to the gridiron. These two teams are familiar to each other only because in recent years they have been the scrimmage opponents for one another. This season they do have four opponents in common to this point with similar results. The Redskins come into this game with a 3-3 record after getting trounced 48-0 by Blue Ridge last week. Holbrook lost to the Yellowjackets by a 68-0 final. Last week Show Low beat Holbrook 51-8, and the Cougars handled St. Johns 33-6 in the first week of the season, although that game was close at the half.
Both teams faced Snowflake, with the Lobos dominating Holbrook, but just squeaking past St. Johns a couple of weeks ago, 21-15.
Both teams also have a win in common. Holbrook’s only win of the season came against Window Rock, 18-8. St. Johns defeated the Scouts earlier this season, 53-13.
The Redskins have had a strong tradition of dominating teams in the 2A North Region in the past several years. Now that they are playing some of the old 3A schools, they are struggling a bit. Based just purely on numbers against common opponents the Redskins will have the edge in tonight’s game. Holbrook has shown the ability to play well at times, but the Redskins are a team similar to Snowflake in that they are big and play very physical, two things which have given the Roadrunners problems.
Unless Holbrook can put together a complete game and not turn the ball over, which has been a big problem this season, the Roadrunners could be in for another long night.
Winslow found out last week that it isn’t yet ready to play with the big dogs, getting shut out by a very good Snowflake team, 38-0. This week the Bulldogs host another former East region team with which they have a poor recent past.
Show Low and Winslow have met in each of the past two seasons, with the Cougars prevailing each time in the second round of the state playoffs. Last year this game was a shootout, with Show Low winning 68-48. Two years ago the game was close, but also went the Cougars’ way, 35-28. Both teams have the ability to score points, so this game could come down to the better defense. Show Low has played a much tougher schedule to this point in the season and its defense is battle tested.
The Bulldogs may still be stinging from last week’s loss, but playing on their home turf they could make this game interesting with their team speed. This could be yet another close game between these two clubs. In a close game, a player like Show Low’s Josh Weeks could be the difference.
Snowflake is coming off that big win over Winslow, and tonight the Lobos will rack up another big win. A long trip to Page for a game that could be played in poor weather still won’t be enough to derail a Lobo team that is looking for a deep playoff run. Blue Ridge handled Page 50-0 earlier this season, and you can expect this outcome to be very similar. Page is just 2-4 on the season, with both wins coming against lower level teams. Snowflake plays at Round Valley next week, and can afford to be looking ahead, as they will roll over the Sand Devils tonight.
Joseph City is coming off big back-to-back wins, having logged several hundred miles between Fredonia and Duncan. This week they get to stay home and rest with a bye week. The Wildcats will wrap up the regular season at home on Senior Night, Friday, Oct. 14, when they host Orme.
