Holbrook ends Tuba City’s winning streak, wins region title

By Lee Begaye
Special to the Times

HOLBROOK, Ariz. – The 2A Little Colorado Region found its champion as Holbrook claimed the title for the fourth consecutive year, snapping a six-game winning streak by Tuba City.

Though the final score favored the Roadrunners, Tuba City made Holbrook fight until the end before the region champs sealed a 31-20 win with a late fourth-quarter touchdown.

Both squads opened the game by playing stellar defense. With just under 11 minutes left in the first, Tuba City senior defensive back Darian Begaye recovered a Holbrook fumble at the Warriors’ own 40-yard line.

Holbrook’s defense held firm, forcing Tuba City to turn it over on downs. Minutes later, Tuba City’s special teams delivered a big play, blocking a Holbrook kick and setting up their offense on the Roadrunners’ 22-yard line.

Tuba City marched down to the 4-yard line before fumbling, with Holbrook senior linebacker Christian Lerma recovering the ball deep in their own territory.

The Warriors got a huge break, as they pinned Holbrook junior quarterback Darren Justman in the end zone. Tuba City junior linebacker Logan Shorty and sophomore defensive lineman Bradley Tallsalt were credited for tackling Justman for a safety.

The Warriors held onto that 2-0 lead just as the first quarter closed.

In the second, Tuba City’s offense struck first with junior quarterback Kollin Posey connecting with senior wide receiver Deiondre Whiterock for a 5-yard touchdown. A failed two-point conversion left the score at 8-0.

Holbrook responded quickly when junior running back Matthias Montijo punched in a 6-yard rushing touchdown, bringing the home team within 8-6 after the failed two-point conversion.

As halftime neared, Holbrook’s junior strong safety Daniel John intercepted a pass, giving Holbrook a crucial possession. Justman capitalized, finding junior wide receiver Simeon Shaw for a 6-yard touchdown pass, sending Holbrook into halftime with a slim 12-8 lead.

The Roadrunners built on that momentum in the third quarter. Montijo added his second rushing touchdown of the night, extending Holbrook’s lead to 19-8.

Tuba City, however, countered with a 3-yard rushing touchdown from sophomore fullback Angel Whiterock, narrowing the gap to 19-14 after another missed conversion. But Holbrook delivered a highlight play just before the third quarter closed when Justman launched a 50-yard pass down the right sideline, threading it over two defenders to senior wide receiver Chance Sahmie, who pulled in the catch for a touchdown, making it 25-14.

But Tuba City refused to back down. The Warriors recovered a Holbrook fumble on the Roadrunner’s 36-yard line. A few plays later, they scored with Whiterock scoring from the 1-yard line, pulling Tuba within 25-20.

Holbrook responded with poise, orchestrating a drive to regain control. With just over 41.5 seconds left, Justman delivered a crucial 15-yard touchdown pass to John, who ran between two defenders and secured the pass as he crossed into the end zone, extending the lead to 31-20 and putting the game out of reach.

“Our quarterback had a great read because the middle was open,” John said of the game’s final touchdown. “We saw it on the drive, and I knew I could be clear in the middle. I didn’t care if I got hit, but I needed to score because you could feel the momentum (was on the Warriors side), and I just wanted the win for our team.”

Holbrook capped the regular season on a seven-game winning streak, which includes a pair of clutch wins over Piñon (26-24) and Tuba City.

“The last two weeks, we played some of the best Holbrook football I’ve ever coached,” Roadrunner coach Paul Agramont said. “To start the season the way we did, with losses to Page, Winslow, and St. Johns. I’ve never seen a team so flat getting off the bus (in Winslow).

“But now, we’re playing to win,” he added. “Tuba City was tougher than we expected, but we’re glad we played as a team.”

Despite making Holbrook sweat, Tuba City head coach Kalani Simeona felt that they had some prime opportunities to pull out the win.

“I don’t think we played to our potential,” Simeona said. “They saw a weakness in our defense and took advantage of it. We’re better than this—I know we are.”

With the regional title in hand, Holbrook (8-2) now looks to the Arizona Interscholastic Association 2A state playoffs. The Roadrunners will have the tall task of facing top-seeded San Tan Charter in Gilbert, Arizona on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

“We need everyone practicing together and doing the little things perfectly,” Agramont said of preparing for San Tan Charter. “We had three turnovers tonight, and that’s something we can’t afford against the No. 1 team in the state.”

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