Page dominates Window Rock in shutout win

By Lee Begaye
Special to the Times

FORT DEFIANCE

The Page Sand Devils left no doubt in their 3A North showdown against the Window Rock Fighting Scouts, dismantling them 72-0 on Friday night for their third straight win and second in 3A North Region play.

Senior quarterback Joey Benally had a near-flawless outing, completing 12 of 13 passes for 220 yards and five touchdowns. The Sand Devils also spread the scoring on the ground, with three different running backs reaching the end zone.

Junior Renato Littleman turned in a standout all-around performance, scoring three different ways: on a rushing touchdown, a pick-six, and a kickoff return, accounting for 18 points by himself. Page’s defense forced seven turnovers, intercepting five passes, and recovering two fumbles, setting up short fields all night.

The Scouts, already battered by injuries and grade-check absences that sidelined nearly half their starters, struggled to find rhythm.

“We have eight total starters out and we started a sophomore at quarterback,” Window Rock head coach Wilbur Begay said. “Our kids played their best. Page is just on another level, so hats off to them.”

The tone was set early. On Window Rock’s opening possession, Page freshman Mason Hansen pounced on a fumble at the Scouts’ 17-yard line. Two plays later, Benally connected with senior receiver Deegan Sparks to make it 8-0 after the conversion with 10 minutes still left in the first quarter.

On the next series, sophomore defensive back Braylon Rupp intercepted a pass at the Scouts’ 40. Benally went deep to senior receiver Andrew Cummings, setting up junior running back Lorin John, who finished the drive with an untouched touchdown run for a 16-0 lead.

The Sand Devils’ defense held again, and Benally capped another short drive with a 2-yard toss to senior fullback Hunter Billah for a 24-0 advantage. Before the quarter ended, Benally found John at the goal line, who punched in another rushing score to push the lead to 30-0.

Page wasted no time in the second quarter. Another quick strike made it 38-0, and moments later Littleman tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage, snagged it himself, and returned it for a touchdown, stretching the margin to 45-0.

Then came the highlight of the night: flushed from the pocket, Benally rolled left and launched a strike to a wide-open Cummings for a 58-yard score, bringing the tally to 51-0 before halftime.

Arizona Interscholastic Association rules don’t end games with a 50-point margin like in New Mexico, so the second half continued under a running clock. Littleman opened the third quarter with a kickoff return touchdown, pushing the score to 58-0. Freshman running back Reggie Begay then broke free for a 47-yard scramble, making it 65-0 late in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Littleman capped off his remarkable night with his third touchdown — this one on the ground — sealing the 72-0 final.

“We all executed hard and got this win, but we have to clean up the penalties and small mistakes,” said Page head coach Ty Bennett. “Our goal is to make a run in the playoffs, and we need to execute each game flawlessly. Hats off to Window Rock—they’re banged up and missing quite a few kids.”

Both teams now take a bye week. Page (4-2, 2-0 3A North) will be back on the road Oct. 10 to face Monument Valley (0-6, 0-1 3A North), while Window Rock (1-5, 0-1 3A North) will regroup before traveling to Ganado (5-1, 1-1 3A North) the same day.

 

Get instant access to this story by purchasing one of our many e-edition subscriptions HERE at our Navajo Times Store.

---