Coaches eye season with optimism

The Ganado Hornets football team will have a new coach on the sidelines when the 3A North conference season kicks off tomorrow.

Ganado struggled last year under former coach Chuck Belshe. The team finished fifth in conference with a 2-4 record. Only Chinle (1-5, 2-8)  and Tuba City (0-6, 0-9)  finished below them.

This year Ganado brings in former Alchesay head coach Brandon Newcomb who coached the Falcons from 2004 to 2008. His overall record is 19-31.

Newcomb is excited and looks forward to the season.

"Being the third coach in three years, I can't worry too much about (past records)," Newcomb said. "But I am excited that I have the opportunity to be the head football coach at Ganado.  Maybe third time's a charm."

This year's schedule will be one of the toughest for Ganado, according to Newcomb. They open the season at home against Canyon State, then play Red Mesa and Gallup Miyamura.

"I believe we have the toughest non-conference schedule," Newcomb said. "After we make it through that gauntlet of teams we open conference play with Winslow, and get to play pre-season No. 1 and defending (3A) state champs Blue Ridge."

Ganado opens the season tomorrow night against Canyon State at home at 7 p.m.

Leading Ganado will be Christian Todacheenie in the offensive and defensive lines, supported by Dustin Begay and Brent Becenti on defense.

On offense, the running back position is loaded with Benton Begay, Quillan Blueyes, Louvelle Nez, Roberston Gorman, Tamie Dennison, Colin Smith, Levon Kinlicheenie and Alden Yazzie. All are vying for playing time.

Winslow

Look for the Winslow Bulldogs to continue to dominate the conference as they chase another title.

Last year, the conference champions were ousted in the second round of the state tournament, losing to Show Low.

After losing only three players due to graduation, the Bulldogs bring back senior quarterback Kraig Shirley but his season will be delayed due to an injury.

Winslow assistant coach Craig Moody says leadership is important early in the season.

"We feel good about the upcoming season," he said. "We have a lot of leadership coming back and some excellent student athletes.

"We lost Kraig for six weeks, but we feel that we will be OK," he said. "We have great leadership and kids who are willing to step up and pick up the slack."

Winslow opens the season tomorrow night at Round Valley.

Last year, Winslow finished 10-2 and 6-0 in conference and made the state playoffs as a No. 4 seed.

Holbrook

The Holbrook Roadrunners will once again challenge for the conference title after finishing 6-5 last season and 5-1 in conference as runner-up.

Head coach Darrin Thomas said, "We have built on what we accomplished last year. We have good player leadership that is focused on improvement. We lost most of our starting linemen on both sides of the ball, so that is our question mark going into the season."

Key returnees include seniors Ilacian Johnson, a running back, and team captain Austin Lozano at fullback and linebacker Jalen Jackson, a junior.

"We have two really tough games to prepare us for conference," Thomas said of their first two games against Snowflake and Blue Ridge.

"We need to focus on what we do and perfect that as a team as well as stay healthy and get through those games injury-free. If we can have success in those games, it will add to our confidence going into conference play," he said.

Monument Valley

Monument Valley head coach Bryan Begay said early preseason games should prepare them to make their second consecutive run for the state playoffs.

"I feel like we have a tough preseason before our conference games," he said. "Prepare each week on that game only. Don't look ahead or in the past."

The Mustangs play non-conference games against Red Mesa Friday at home followed by Alchesay, Page and Snowflake.
Key players will be senior Alan Todachine and sophomore Mateo Herrera, both candidates to replace last year's star quarterback, Jonathon Delmar, who has graduated.
Aside from Todachine and Herrera, Begay will have experienced players who have done well in practice.

"We return experience," Begay said. "We have a different look on offense and feel our young men are buying in to what we are reminding them everyday."

Last year, Monument Valley finished 4-7 and 4-2 in conference. They lost to Winslow in the first round at state.

Window Rock

The Window Rock Fighting Scouts snuck into the playoffs last season but the Scouts will have a tougher time this year.

"We should be more competitive than last year," coach Gus Brock said. "Our main concern is lack of depth in our line. Beating Winslow and Holbrook would be a great plus. To make the playoffs we will need to concentrate on improving our defensive team."

Key players for Window Rock are Ty Wauneka at quarterback, Shelby Tulley, a senior center and linebacker, junior Joshua Pablo at running back and safety, senior Lamar Peterson at linebacker, senior Nicholas Davis at running back and safety, senior tackle Tomas Billiman, and senior defensive tackle Dillon Martinez.

Last year, Window Rock finished 5-6 and 3-3 in conference and lost to Fountain Hills at state in the first round.

Tuba City

Hoping to turn the Tuba City Warriors football program around, coach Gary Hubbell said the team is starting with a clean slate.

"Team chemistry and our ability to handle adversity will be our test this season," he said. "This year's seniors are the foundation to this team."

Last year, the Warriors were outscored badly, 308 to 49. However, they believe they can improve tremendously and make the playoffs.

"We know that we have to be competitive and raise our level of intensity week in and week out," Hubbell said. "Our opponents cannot be taken lightly."

Key players for the Warriors are senior quarterback Jeffrey Begay, junior offensive and defensive lineman Erik Begay, senior Justen Billy at wide receiver, and senior wide receiver Jeremiah Cody.

Chinle

Chinle has a new coach in Timothy Su'e Su'e Linfau, who takes over for Curtis Berger. Chinle opens the season at Many Farms Friday night.

Telephone messages for a preview were not returned by press time Wednesday.

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