On a wet and cold night at Roadrunner Stadium Holbrook played tough, but couldn’t prevail against visiting St. Johns, though the Roadrunners showed great resolve, though, coming back from an 18-0 deficit to pull within four points in the fourth period before eventually falling 24-14.
St. Johns came in with a vaunted rushing game and amassed 337 yards on the ground. Holbrook finished with a total of 266 yards of offense, but had its chances to pull within four points again late in the game.
After a scoreless opening period played in heavy rainfall, the Redskins opened the scoring with 11:35 left in the second on a one-yard run by tailback Dillon James, who scored all four touchdowns for St. Johns. Later in the second the Birds appeared to gain an edge, forcing and recovering a fumble near midfield, but quickly gave it right back on a fumble of their own two plays later. James scooted in from 41 yards out with 6:16 left in the half, making the score 12-0 with the visitors on top.
Four minutes later St. Johns again scored on the ground as James found pay dirt from 11 yards out and it appeared Holbrook was in for a long night. Taking advantage of back-to-back personal foul penalties against St. Johns, Cade Maestas turned the momentum for Holbrook with nine seconds left in the half when he found Scottie Gishie with a 19-yard scoring strike. He connected with Zakhari Waits for the two-point conversion, making the score 18-8 and giving the Birds a positive outlook heading to the locker room.
Neither team scored in the third, but early in the fourth Holbrook edged closer on a one-yard run by Zakhari Waits, making the score 18-14. That score was set up by a 55-yard pass from Maestas to Wazuri Waits.
Now leading by just four the Redskins regained their edge by marching on a 65-yard scoring drive capped by James’ fourth score of the night, making the final score 24-14.
Maestas completed 10 of his 20 pass attempts for 137 yards and a touchdown. Wazuri Waits had four receptions for 89 yards. Zakhari Waits caught three for 17 yards. Julian Garcia had one grab for two yards. Delano Anaya had one catch for eight yards, and Scottie Gishie had one catch for 21 yards and a touchdown.
Wazuri Waits was the leading rusher, picking up 75 yards on 12 runs. Zakhari Waits had 25 yards on eight carries. Maestas rushed three times for 16 yards, and Garcia had five runs for 13 yards.
Oscar Hernandez led Holbrook’s defense with 17 tackles. Jedde Bowman was credited with 12, while Garcia and Gishie each made nine stops.
James led the Redskins with 181 yards and four touchdowns on 23 rushes.
With the loss Holbrook falls to 4-4 on the season and will need to win its final two games to reach the post-season. That will be a tough task, as this week the Roadrunners travel to Eagar to face a very good and highly ranked Round Valley Elks team. Holbrook will close out the regular season at home in two weeks against Window Rock.
