Friday, Sept. 23, is Homecoming night in Holbrook, where the Roadrunners welcome in Page. While these two schools have become familiar opponents on the basketball court in recent years, none of the players who will be on the field Friday night were even born the last time they played on the gridiron.
Holbrook comes in with a 2-1 record and will be fresh after having last week off.
The Sand Devils bring with them a 3-2 record. They opened the season in fine form with a week one victory over Blue Ridge, which at the time seemed very impressive. However, in the month since that game we have found this year’s Blue Ridge team to be far from what fans in the area are used to seeing. Page fell in overtime to Coconino in week 2, but has since won its past two games, scoring over 40 points in wins over Kingman and Window Rock.
The last time the Roadrunners were on the field they left with a 36-0 win over Red Rock. Hopefully, the numerous distractions that come with Homecoming week will be gone by the time they take the field and the Birds can regain the momentum from that win. Page will offer up a stiffer test than did the Scorpions. If Holbrook can limit its turnovers and regain focus to the field from a week’s worth of Homecoming activities, it could pull out a close win. If Page can put the clamps on Cade Maestas, it has a chance to put a damper on Holbrook’s Homecoming.
Winslow will host Coconino in what will be the Bulldogs’ final game before their schedule stiffens considerably. With Snowflake, Show Low and Payson, along with Holbrook and Blue Ridge, still on their calendar, this may be one of just a few games they will be favored to win.
The Bulldogs are 3-1 on the season, having won three straight since their opening loss to Monument Valley. In their past three games their defense has been stellar, allowing just six points in the three wins.
The Panthers are 2-2 on the campaign, with wins over Page and a winless Mohave team. The two teams last met four years ago, resulting in a 42-12 Bulldog victory. This game should be closer than that, but the Dawgs have a good chance to garner their fourth win of the season.
Joseph City Wildcats have a tough task Friday when they host Williams. The Wildcats are unbeaten on the season, with just one close game in their first five. The Vikings are 3-1, and piled up points in the three victories. Their lone loss was a 56-22 setback against an undefeated Bagdad squad. Williams has a balanced attack with 10 passing touchdowns and 12 rushing scores in their four games. The Vikings average 350 yards per game, just eight yards short of the Wildcats’ 358 yard per game average.
The scary news for Joseph City is that the Vikings return all but two players from last year’s team, which defeated the Wildcats 26-8. Through four games this year they have put up 245 points and allowed only 34. Joseph City has scored 178 and given up just 46. Last year’s game was in Williams. With Friday’s game played in Joseph City, the Wildcats could avenge last year’s loss.
