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To the casual Holbrook football fan, Friday night’s 49-16 home field loss to Arizona Lutheran may have looked like just another setback in a long list of losses for the Roadrunner football teams over the years.
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However, if people look past the final score what they would have noticed, regardless of the score was the difference both on the sidelines and on the field in terms of the players. In this game, players weren’t throwing helmets on the sidelines, every bench player not on the field was engaged in watching the game and not once were any players arguing with any of the coaching staff or each other.
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On the field, players were helping each other up. There wasn’t a single unsportsmanlike penalty, in fact there were only a handful of penalties called against the Birds and players all played until the whistle regardless of the score.
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Each of the previously stated observances have to be credited to new coach Chris Starkey and his staff. Turning around the Holbrook football program isn’t going to happen in one game, two games or even a season. It is going to take time. Of course, the coaches and players were hoping to open the season with a win. But opening the season with a different outlook and a different set of behaviors has to be a solid beginning. Give credit to Starkey and his staff, as well as the players for being on the ground level of a rebuilding program.
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Many of the players who will see the long-term benefits of this type of approach will be the younger core of players. Holbrook had four freshmen players contribute statistically and many underclassmen also played well. One of the freshmen is starting quarterback Marcus Oberriter.
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The youngster completed nine of 16 passes for 84 yards with one interception that was returned for the Coyotes second score of the night. Oberriter also rushed 10 times for a total of 12 yards.
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John O’Brien was the offensive highlight for Holbrook. The junior rushed 15 times for 128 yards with one touchdown and caught three passes for another 39 yards. Tyson Begay had one 20-yard reception and Myron Begay caught five balls for 25 total yards.
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Holbrook’s defense was led by Freshmen Izzy Ramos with nine tackles. Tyson Begay, Myron Begay and Tyrell Yazzie each had seven tackles. O’Brien, Daniel Montijo, another freshman, and Talon Foster each made six stops.
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Tyson Begay and Keith Scheurman each had one fumble recovery.
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As for the game, Arizona Lutheran took the opening kick-off and marched right down the field capping a nine-play drive with an eight-yard run. The point after the kick put them on top 7-0. Holbrook’s first possession quickly ended with the Coyote’s returning an Oberriter pick 18 yards for their second score with 8:53 left in the period. Arizona Lutheran added two more first period scores, the first on a 21-yard run, and the second on a five-yard run, which came after recovering a pooch kick off.
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Arizona Lutheran scored just once in the second period taking a 35-0 lead into the half.
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Holbrook opened the third period in impressive fashion when O’Brien rushed up the gut for a 47-yard gain. Holbrook moved the ball inside the Coyote’s 10-yard line but their momentum quickly ended when they turned the ball over on downs. Arizona Lutheran quickly took advantage hooking up for a 92-yard touchdown pass on their first play of the third period pushing the lead to 42-0.
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The Coyotes added one final score following a Holbrook fumble with 6:34 left in the fourth. Holbrook got on the board twice in the fourth period. The first came on an 11-yard run by O’Brien. Oberriter ran in the two-point conversion. The second score came on a one-yard plunge by Oberriter. They then hooked up with Myron Begay for the two-point conversion making the final score 49-16.
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This week Holbrook will host Chinle. The Wildcats were idle in week one. The game was originally scheduled to be played in Chinle, but due to construction, the Wildcats will be playing all road games this season.
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