Four plays into Holbrook’s home game with St. Johns and the Roadrunners found themselves trailing 14-0. Darren Justmen threw the first of his five interceptions on Holbrook’s second offensive snap and St. Johns returned it to the 14-yard line. From there the visitors found the endzone in one play and went up 7-0 with the PAT.
Holbrook’s second offensive series ended quickly as well. The ball was snapped over Justman’s head and was recovered by St. Johns at the 5-yard line. One play later they scored again and led 14-0 before Holbrook fans could even settle in their seats.
St. Johns held the Birds to a three-and-out on their third possession and then a long punt return set up a score, putting the Skins on top 21-0 still early in the first quarter and effectively putting the game out of reach at that point.
Simeon Shaw and Justman did hook up on a nice 80-yard catch and run, making the game respectable for a few minutes late in the period. Holbrook attempted a fake punt later in the half that was stopped by St. Johns, setting up the Redskins with good field position. They quickly took advantage, scoring in two plays and making the score 28-8.
A second Justman to Shaw connection pulled Holbrook closer at 28-16, but that would be the end of Holbrook’s scoring on the night.
St. Johns returned the ensuing kick for a touchdown making the score 35-16. Following another Justman interception, St. Johns scored just before the half on a 50-yard pass, taking a 42-16 halftime lead.
St. Johns dominated Holbrook throughout the second half, eventually winning the game 63-16 and giving Holbrook their second consecutive 0-3 start to a season.
Justman had a rough night. He completed just 12 of his 27 attempts, for 196 yards with two touchdowns but also threw five interceptions. Shaw was his favorite target, catching 7 for 154 yards with both scores. Daniel John had one catch, as did Chance Sahmie. Manny Rico caught three short passes.
On the ground, Holbrook was stuffed by St. Johns. The Birds managed just 16 net yards rushing, making Holbrook one-dimensional on offense. Justman had 19 yards on five runs, but others combined for negative yards.
Christian Lerma led Holbrook’s defense with six tackles. Rico made five stops.
Things will get considerably easier for the Roadrunners over the course of the next several weeks as they begin region play in the Little Colorado 2A region. Holbrook has won the region the past three consecutive seasons and is highly favored to do so again as there just isn’t much competition for them in the region. They could easily post seven straight wins over the course of the next seven weeks. That stretch begins on Friday night when they travel to face Valley Sanders. A team they defeated 44-0 last year.
Holbrook gave up just three total touchdowns to region opponents last year. They held three of their opponents to zero points. If they can repeat that performance they will once again be region champs, earning an automatic bid to the 2A state tournament bracket, although they will be a very low seed. If they have any slip-ups in region play their postseason bid would be in jeopardy.
