Holbrook won their sixth game in a row and along with it, their third region title in a row when they took care of previously unbeaten Pinon at Roadrunner Stadium on Friday night. The Eagles entered the game with an 8-0 record, but Holbrook quickly showed they were the better team.
Holbrook scored on their third offensive play with a 95-yard catch and run by Simeon Shaw on a pass from Darren Justman, just three minutes into the game. The conversion missed by the Birds had an early 6-0 lead.
Holbrook’s second score came on their next drive, with a 24-yard run by Matthias Montijo. extending the lead to 12-0. Early in the second quarter Shaw found the endzone again, this time on a 42-yard reception. Mason Archunde’s conversion run gave Holbrook a 20-0 lead, which was the score at the half.
Holbrook’s first score in the third came on a Justman to Darnell Nez 39-yard scoring toss. The two-point run put Holbrook on top 28-0.
A 30-yard touchdown pass from Justman to Shaw and a 65-yard run by Nez put Holbrook’s final points on the board in the fourth period. Holbrook’s defense had a goal-line interception late in the game to preserve the shutout win.
Justman completed just five of his 10 passes for 216 yards, but four of those five went for scores. Shaw had three receptions for 167 yards, with all three finding the endzone. Nez had one 39-yard scoring catch. Daniel John had one 10-yard reception.
On the ground, Nez made the most of his senior night with 144 yards and one score on just seven totes. Matthias Montijo carried 13 times gaining 83 yards. John had one 23-yard run. Archunde rushed once for 14 yards and Justman had one nine-yard carry.
Holbrook has one game left in the regular season when they play at Tuba City on Friday. With the win over Pinon, they will be the region champs and will earn the automatic spot in the 16-team state tournament. They will more than likely be the 16 seed in the bracket, depending on the outcome of the final regular season games played around the state this coming weekend.
Tuba City was ranked 41st with a 4-5 record prior to their 57-0 win over Greyhills last week. They have won four in a row, but they should not provide much of a threat to Holbrook despite playing on their home turf.
If Holbrook enters the bracket as the 16 seed, they will face the top-seeded team in the first round. Currently, that team is Arizona Lutheran, which is now 8-0 on the season.
Holbrook is now 6-3 having won six straight. The Roadrunners have outscored their opponents in those six wins by a total of 294-12. Tuba City won’t have much to change that ratio on Friday.
