On Sept. 2 in Winslow, the Roadrunners accomplished something they hadn’t done in 22 years, defeat the Bulldogs in football. In fact, the last time Holbrook beat Winslow was in the year 2000 when they shut out the Bulldogs 25-0. Since that time the two teams have met 21 times, (only missing the COVID 2020 season) Winslow had won 21 straight games. Over that span, they had outscored Holbrook 874 to 238, or to put in perspective 43.7 points per game, compared to 11.9 points per game. Winslow had shut Holbrook out six times during that stretch of wins. Multiple coaches from both teams have graced the sidelines over that span but first-year Holbrook Coach Shawn Holley had the team that finally broke the streak.
Holbrook dominated the game on Friday, led by senior skill players Marcus Oberriter, Daniel Montijo, Izzy Ramos and Kyle Smith the Roadrunners won the game 32-6. Holbrook’s defense, led by senior Mauricio Baca, didn’t allow a point. It was a muffed special teams play that allowed the Bulldogs to score. After years of being beaten the Roadrunners were bigger, faster, stronger and played much more physical on this night continually pressuring the Bulldog quarterback.
Holbrook scored first early in the second, then saw the Bulldogs cut the lead to two points following a mishandled punt which was recovered in Holbrook’s endzone making the score 8-6 in favor of the Birds. From that point on the rest of the night belonged to Holbrook.
Oberriter completed 13 of 24 passes for 132 yards with one touchdown pass to Smith. Smith finished with six catches for 58 yards and the score. Ramos had five receptions totaling 66 yards. Chase Sahmie had a seven-yard catch and Tristian Cowboy had two short catches.
On the ground, Montijo piled up 88 yards on 15 carries with one score. Oberriter ran it seven times, gaining 79 yards. Ramos carried once for 18, Smith ran it six for 17 with a pair of touchdowns. Darnell Nez had six catches for six yards.
Holbrook finished with 208 total yards compared to Winslow’s total of 110.
Noah Padilla and Baca led Holbrook’s stout defense with eight tackles each. Mason Archunde added six. Baca finished with 2.5 sacks and Cowboy had .5 a sack. Oberriter had one interception.
With the big emotional win, the Roadrunners improved to 2-0 on the season.
