Page overcomes miscues, pulls away from Ganado

By Lee Begaye
Special to the Times

BURNSIDE, Ariz. – Page and Ganado squared off in a pivotal 3A North showdown on Saturday night with Page (4-2) eyeing to stay atop the 3A North Region standing alongside Winslow.

Meanwhile, Ganado (2-4, 0-2 in 3A North) continued its search for consistency and identity.

Ganado got off to a great start as sophomore quarterback Jayden Curtis connected with junior wide receiver Christin Harding for a touchdown, putting the Hornets up 6-0 with 10:50 remaining. However, the game quickly became a back-and-forth battle marked by turnovers.

Page junior quarterback Joseph Benally led a promising drive downfield, scrambling from midfield to Ganado’s 20-yard line. But the Hornets’ defense came up big, forcing a fumble recovered by junior defensive back Julian Smith at the 10-yard line.

Ganado, unable to capitalize, punted the ball back to Page, and Benally again drove the Sand Devils downfield. This time, freshman defensive back Tyre Nichols intercepted a pass at the 10-yard line, stalling another Page drive.

As the second quarter wore on, Page found its footing. After a lengthy six-minute possession, Benally threw a touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Andrew Cummings, giving Page a 7-6 lead after the PAT.

Just before halftime, Benally struck again, connecting with senior wide receiver Tyree Stingley on a 42-yard touchdown pass. Page went into the halftime break, up 14-6.

Page’s defense started strong in the second half, with senior defensive back Tsinajinnie Green intercepting a pass from junior Jeronen Nargo, one of Ganado’s three quarterbacks.

Green caught that errant throw at their own 23-yard line, but a mishandled exchange between Benally and senior running back Landon Masker led to a fumble, which was recovered by Ganado’s sophomore defensive lineman Romeo Baldwin at the 11-yard line.

One play later, sophomore running back Quincy Peshtony ran it in for a touchdown, bringing the Hornets back into the game at 14-12 with 3:15 left in the third quarter.

The game remained close until the fourth quarter, when Page finally pulled away. Sophomore running back Renato Littleman, following a key block by Stingley, punched it in for a touchdown, extending the lead to 20-12.

A recovered onside kick gave Page possession again, and Benally connected with senior tight end Talon Herder for another touchdown, putting the Sand Devils up 26-12. Ganado’s Harding intercepted a pass intended for Stingley at the 16-yard line late in the game, but Curtis’s deep pass on the next possession was intercepted by Stingley, sealing Ganado’s fate.

After the game, Page head coach Ty Bennett expressed disappointment in the team’s performance despite the win.

“We gave them the illusion that they were in the game. This isn’t Page football, and I take the blame,” Bennett said.

He praised Benally, who finished the game completing 18 of 30 passes for 203 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. “Joey Benally is one of the best quarterbacks in 3A. When the ball is in his hands, we’re most likely to win.”

Ganado head coach Kevin Watchman remained optimistic, praising his team’s fight.

“We had this game, but key penalties and turnovers hurt us. We’ve got athletic players, but injuries and grade checks have taken their toll,” Watchman said.

Page (4-2) will look to continue their winning ways as they host 1-5 Window Rock for homecoming, while Ganado travels to Monument Valley for the Mustangs’ homecoming.

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