Holbrook will need to shake off last week’s disappointing gridiron loss at Red Mesa and regroup for the match-up tonight (Oct. 9) with Alchesay in Whiteriver. The Falcons won their first game of the season, but have since dropped five straight, including last week’s 54-12 loss to Round Valley. The Roadrunners’ loss dropped them from 18th in the power rankings down to the 24th position. If they desire to reach the post-season, they need to most likely win at least three of their final four games, if not all four, to make the playoffs.
The Falcons have won two of the past four meetings against the Roadrunners, with each of those victories by one-point margins, including last year’s 28-27 win. Holbrook dominated the Falcons in its two wins, outscoring them by a combined 113-6 in meetings two and three years ago.
Holbrook should prevail in this game rather easily, but that should have been the case last week as well. Playing in Whiteriver is always a challenge, regardless of the sport. On paper the Roadrunners have a good enough team to come home with their season mark at 4-3. How it turns out only time will tell.
It’s rivalry night in Joseph City, where the Wildcats host Mogollon. Joseph City comes in with a 5-2 record, while the Mustangs are 5-1. The Cats are ranked ninth and the Mustangs eighth in power points. These two have a pair of common opponents this year, with each picking up wins over Fredonia and El Capitan.
Mogollon has won the past four meetings between these two long time rivals. In fact Joseph City hasn’t won this match-up in three years. Last season the Mustangs prevailed 56-6. Two years ago they defeated the Cats twice, 34-6 in the regular season and again 62-6 in the playoffs. The last time the Wildcats were victorious, they also won twice, beating the Mustangs by 50 points in the regular season and 58-30 in the playoffs. Mogollon has had the Wildcats’ number in recent years.
With this game played in Joseph City perhaps that will give the Cats enough of an edge to turn the tables. Joseph City has an athletic group of kids this season; maybe they can get the job done.
Winslow (3-3) will play at Payson (5-1). The Bulldogs haven’t faced the Longhorns for some time, but they will be up against a solid team ranked ninth in the Division IV power point rankings. The Dawgs are ranked 18th and will have a tough time climbing into the top 16 to make the playoffs with their difficult finishing schedule.
Payson’s last three games have been decided by a total of eight points, with wins over Flagstaff and Blue Ridge, and a loss to a good Combs team. Winslow struggled last week in a 56-14 loss to a very good Show Low team, and the Bulldogs could be in for another long night tonight.
Snowflake, as expected, cruised passed Page last week and can now focus its full attention on Blue Ridge. The sixth ranked Lobos are unbeaten and will host the once beaten and 11th ranked Yellowjackets. Blue Ridge lost its first game of the season 20-19 to Payson. Both teams have similar outcomes in wins over Coolidge and Florence.
Last season Snowflake broke a four-game losing streak to the Jackets with a 50-10 win. Two years ago the Jackets prevailed 38-35.
Snowflake’s defense has given up just 26 points through six games. Blue Ridge is good, but the Lobos may just be a little better this year. They both have tough remaining schedules, but certainly neither team is looking past tonight’s match-up at Lobo Stadium.
