
Window Rock’s 7-on-7 tourney sees an increase in team participation

Navajo Times | Quentin Jodie
Window Rock’s Lucus Nez catches the ball during pool play action against the Wingate Bears on Saturday during the 5th Annual Rumble at the Rock in Fort Defiance.
FORT DEFIANCE
The 5th Annual Rumble at the Rock 7-on-7 tournament had an increase in participating schools as the event was deemed a success by Window Rock head coach Wilbur Begay.
“The first couple years we had like four teams,” Begay said. “Last year, it got bigger, and we went with six teams. This year we had 13 teams signed up, but some teams dropped out, so we ended up with eight teams this year, two more than last year.”
Still, Begay said it’s the most teams they’ve hosted as Chinle, Crownpoint, Hózhó Academy, Navajo Prep, Newcomb, Wingate and Window Rock took part with Hózhó fielding it’s varsity and JV team.
“With this tournament, I’m surprised about the competition level and the talent level,” Begay said. “There were no scrub teams. I mean, everybody was really good. You know, we had Crownpoint, Wingate and Navajo Prep here. The New Mexico teams were locked in. They know what they’re doing.”
During the one-day tournament, most of the games came down to wire as Begay credited each team’s coaching staff.
“We have some good coaches here and they have good talent,” Begay said. “Based on what I saw, I expect them to do very well in their regular season.”
Wingate won the tournament by defeating Hózhó ‘A’ team in the finals by an 18-12 count. Window Rock, meanwhile, took third followed by Newcomb, Navajo Prep, Crownpoint, Chinle and Hózhó ‘B’ team.
“We played good competition,” said Wingate backfield player Zeff Flores, who caught three touchdown passes in the championship game. “We’ll see the teams that we played here during the regular season. It’s good that we got this experience, especially for our young players.”
Wingate head coach AD Jim concurred.
“In all honesty, playing in these tournaments has its purpose,” Jim said. “The kids are putting in a lot of reps. You know, the last few years we were very young so we’re looking forward to the next few years.
“The kids have bought in and so I’m pretty optimistic about our season,” he added. “I think what we’re doing now is going to transfer into the fall season.”
Chinle assistant coach Juan Curley said they used the 7-on-7 tournament to develop their players for the 2025 season.
“Our focus this year is to work on development and get our younger classmen into it because we only have four seniors this year,” he said. “We’re gonna have a good number of returners for next season with kids who can make a difference, but this year it’s gonna be kind of like a rebuild year for us.
“We’re just working on building that culture,” he added. “We feel like we can come out and compete with these young kids. Right now, it’s about building our culture and developing our boys.”
Navajo Prep coach Roderick Denetso was pleased with the number of kids committed to his football program as last season’s kids didn’t get started until August.
“This year the kids have been coming and as you can see, we have 18 kids here and that means a lot,” Denetso said. “It means the kids are buying into it because it’s hard to compete with basketball. I didn’t realize how big basketball has gotten in the summertime so every week the kids feel like their being pulled.”
Navajo Prep will continue its summer schedule by hosting the Return of the Elite Football Camp this week. The three-day camp started on Wednesday, and it will end on Friday.
“We invite the kids to come out and learn basic fundamentals,” Denetso said. “You’ll get your money’s worth. They’ll get some college experience, and we’ll have some top-notched coaches from college athletes. I love it because all the coaches have college degrees, which is really important.
“I think it’s great for the kids to see that they can have college role models,” he added. “It’s great to see them giving back to the community.”
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