Holbrook welcomed in Hopi for the 2023 homecoming game, and by the time the night was over the Birds won their fourth game in a row getting above .500 for the first time this season. Holbrook defeated the Bruins 54-0 meeting little resistance along the way.
The Roadrunners opened the scoring on a 37-yard pass from Darren Justman to Simeon Shaw just two minutes into the game. Mason Archunde’s conversion run made the score 8-0.
At the 4:33 mark, Justman completed a short pass to Darnell Nez who took it 15 yards for the touchdown. Archunde again punched in the two-point play, pushing the lead to 16-0.
Holbrook’s defense got into the act with a safety early in the second period, making the lead 18-0. Daniel Montijo scored on a 10-yard run at the 7:41 mark of the second period, making the score 24-0.
Simeon Shaw made a great adjustment on an underthrown ball coming back for the catch and run from 47 yards out, pushing the lead to 36-0 with 7:05 left in the half.
Holbrook scored again just before the half on a short catch and run by Shaw, making the halftime score 42-0.
Matthias Montijo scored on a 45-yard run midway through the third and Holbrook’s final points of the night came on a Shaw 16-yard run, making the final score 54-0.
Justman completed five of nine passes for 145 yards, with four touchdowns. Shaw had a big night with four receptions for 128 yards and three scores. Darnell Nez had one 17-yard touchdown reception.
Matthias Montijo carried 16 times, picking up 191 yards with three touchdowns. Darnell Nez carried six times for 24 yards. Mason Archunde had one 24-yard run. Shaw scored on his only carry from 16 yards out. Justman gained 11 yards on three attempts.
Mason Archunde and Victor Saiz led the defensive unit, with 10 tackles apiece. Larin Nez and Matthias Montijo each had eight tackles.
With the win Holbrook improved to 4-3 on the season. They remain unbeaten in 2A North region play. This week they will travel to face Red Mesa. The Redskins are just 3-4 on the season, with one of those wins by virtue of a forfeit. They have dropped their past two games by 28-14 final scores to Pinon and Tuba City respectively. Red Mesa is a tough place to play, but Holbrook has enough firepower to get the job done and move to 5-3.
The only way Holbrook will qualify for the post-season is if they win the Little Colorado Region, which they are favored to do. Pinon is currently unbeaten in region play, but like Holbrook, they have not faced really tough competition up to this point in region play. The way the 2A rankings are shaping up only one team from the Little Colorado region will qualify for postseason play doing so as an automatic qualifier. Holbrook entered Friday night’s game ranked 33rd and needs to either win the region or get inside the top 16, which their overall strength of schedule will not accommodate. A win over Red Mesa this week sets up their playoff chances with a home game vs 18th-ranked Pinon in two weeks.
