Playing two varsity games in the same week is a rarity in high school football, and it had to have AIA approval before it could be done. With the game approved for play, Holbrook traveled to face Red Mesa on Tuesday last week for a game that was supposed to be played on the 10th. Due to the weather, it was moved to the 14th.
The change in date did not impact Holbrook at all. They found the endzone four times in the first quarter alone. Simeon Shaw had a 17-yard catch from Darren Justman. Manny Rico scored on a 42-yard run. Justman hooked up with Shaw again, this time on a 94-yard catch and run. The senior receiver caught his third TD of the night from 18 yards out, giving Holbrook a big first-quarter lead.
In the second, Matthias Montijo scored on an 18-yard run, and Daniel John scooped up a Red Mesa fumble and returned it 34 yards for another score. Shaw also had a defensive score with a 75-yard fumble recovery. Cody Nockideneh had one 2-point conversion run in Holbrook’s 44-0 road win.
Justman completed 4 of 12 passes for 134 yards. Montijo carried 12 times for 104 yards. Shaw rushed for 37 yards and had 129 receiving yards in the big win.
Playing their second game in four days, Holbrook welcomed Many Farms on Friday night. The Lobos had just 13 players in uniform and were no match for Holbrook’s senior-laden team. Holbrook recognized 19 players at halftime for senior night.
Holbrook’s defense put the first points on the board, recording a safety just 3 plays into the game. William Kinds returned the ensuing free kick for another score, pushing the lead to 9-0 with Baler Reidhead’s point after kick.
Holbrook again piled up points in the first quarter. Montijo scored on a 19-yard run. Justman found John down the right side for a 52-yard catch and run. Troy Francis returned a Many Farms fumble 26 yards for a score and Shaw hooked up with Justman for a 21-yard catch and run.
In the second quarter, Montijo scored on a 66-yard run, giving Holbrook a 44-0 halftime lead.
In the third, Tyler Woody scored on a four-yard run. Reidhead was good on 6 of his 7 PAT attempts for what may well be a school record in that category. Holbrook did give up the shutout on the game’s final play with Many Farms scoring, then getting the 2-point conversion for the final score of 50-8.
Justman completed 3 of 4 passes for 116 yards. Junior Sample had one 24-yard completion and an 8-yard run. Adian Stump completed 2 of 3 passes for 30 yards. Montijo carried 4 times for 104 yards and had 1 catch for 43 yards. Shaw had one 21-yard catch. Cody Nockideneh caught two balls for 30 yards, and Myles Nockideneh had 24 yards on two catches.
This week, Holbrook will travel to Tuba City for the 2A North divisional title crossover game. The winner of the contest will automatically qualify for the 2A playoffs as the region winner, while the loser will have to wait for the final rankings before knowing if they are in the postseason. This game’s location was pre-determined before the start of the season.
Tuba City is 6-3 on the season. Like Holbrook, they have won each of their region games to earn the top spot in their side of the region. They haven’t given up a score in the last three games with shutout wins over Greyhills, Hopi and Valley Sanders, none of which are strong programs. Holbrook is the better team in this matchup and is expected to claim their fifth consecutive 2A North region title. However, this game was close last year, with Holbrook winning at Roadrunners Stadium by a final of 31-20.
The 2A state playoffs begin Oct. 31. The field has been expanded to 24 teams this year. The top eight seeds will get a first-round bye, while seeds nine through 16 will host 17 through 24 in the opening round.
Holbrook was ranked 19th before Friday’s win over Many Farms.
