By Greg Perkins
Holbrook earned its first win of the football season in impressive fashion with a 54-7 win over Alchesay in Whiteriver last Friday night. The Roadrunner defense took advantage of a young Falcon quarterback, forcing early turnovers to set up their offense with great field position throughout the game.
Against Snowflake and Winslow in the first two games, Holbrook’s line play was less than stellar, but against the 0-3 Falcons the line did a much better job, opening holes for several backs to find running room.
Dontae Hollins scored the first of his three rushing touchdowns on a 30-yard run to open the scoring in a big first quarter for the Birds. Following a Falcon turnover, Lanny Newton-Pender scored from two yards out and the rout was on. A short touchdown run by Hollins and a 35-yard scoring pass from Hollins to Sheldon Silversmith closed out the first period scoring with Holbrook comfortably on top 27-0.
Newton-Pender broke free for a 58-yard scoring run in the second, then backed that up with a five-yard run for his third score of the night. Daniel Foster capped the first half scoring with a 32-yard run, giving the Road-runners a 47-0 halftime lead.
With the game well in control, Holbrook scored just once in the second half on a 54-yard run by Hollins, pushing the lead to 54-0.
The Falcons avoided the shutout scoring late in the fourth for the final of 54-7.
“We were proud of the way our guys played and handled themselves,” said Coach John Bokker.
“It was nice to get our younger guys some playing time since the jayvee game was canceled. We lost to Alchesay on jayvee and varsity last year, so it felt good to avenge our losses.
“The offense looked great and moved the ball well. Dontae Holins did a phenomenal job of leading. Lanny Newton-Pender had some impressive runs. Our receivers and running backs did an amazing job of blocking downfield. The defense played lights out and forced many turnovers,” said the coach.
Hollins attempted just four passes, completing one, the 35-yard scoring pass to Silversmith. Hollins was Holbrook’s leading rusher, picking up 85 yards on only three carries, all of which were touchdown runs. Newton-Pender picked up 83 yards on five attempts with three scores. Foster rushed twice, gaining 43 yards and scoring once. Shem Bowman gained 40 yards on six attempts. Aaron Thomas carried twice, gaining 22 yards. Julian Garcia had two rushes for a total of 10 yards. Dawson Diaz carried four times, gaining six yards, and Silversmith carried once for six yards.
Bowman led the defense with 10 tackles and recovered a fumble. Nikko Ferniza made nine stops and Clay-ton Hunt had eight takedowns. Newton-Pender and Foster were each credited with a quarterback sack. Silver-smith, Michael McMonigal and Newton-Pender each had interceptions.
Holbrook moves to 1-2 on the season and has a chance to even its season mark at 2-2 if the Roadrunners can win at Window Rock on Friday, Sept. 14. Following that game the Roadrunners’ schedule gets tough for the next few weeks, so a win against the Scouts could help them gain a little momentum.
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