‘Good Senior Core’ Puts Birds In Good Stead For Gridiron Season

By Greg Perkins
   With an offensive line filled with returning seniors, head Roadrunner football coach Darrin Thomas has high hopes for a promising season. Ryan Best, Dean Shirley, Colin Larry and Luke Bowman will anchor the offensive unit and hope to provide a strong running game for the Birds.
   “We are looking forward to a very successful year. Last year we were a little young and inconsistent, but this year we have a good senior core,” said the coach. “Although we lost some good backs to graduation, we are confident in the guys we have returning. We look for a strong running game with Adrian Perkins, Markos Serna and James Lerma.
   “Defensively, we had a very stalwart defense at times last year and look forward to more consistency this season. Guys are stepping up to replace those few who graduated. We are expecting to see the hard work done during the off season to pay off,” stated coach Thomas.
   The current varsity roster includes Joe Gillespie, Adrian Sandoval, Vidal Maestas, Marcus Castillo, Markos Serna, Kyle Wauneka, Austin Lozano, Lewis Maestas, Davon Greer, James Lerma, Adrian Per-kins, Scott Tafoya, Dean Shirley, Luke Bowman, Darren Brown, AJ Aragon, Zach Halwood, Chris Young, Colin Larry, Ryan Best, Tyler Stingley, Olin Jones, Dustin Gonzales, Ilacian Johnson, Blake Maestas, Trent Holmes, Tyrell Sulu and Morty Jim.
   Players listed on the junior varsity roster include Trent Holmes, Ilacian Johnson, Blake Maestas, Cody Goklish, Cedric Roanhorse, Andrew Montgomery, Shelton Thomas, Jimray Manygoats, Darrell Begaye, Rocky Deswood, Tilden Roberson, Joey Aguilera, Royce Reynolds, Devon Wurz, Steven Shorty, Devon Begay, Toney Begay, David Watson and Robert Jager.
   The freshman squad includes Caleb Layden, James Self, Jalen Jackson, Gage Alley, Levi Reyes, Ryan Baldonado, Duffy Ducheneaux, Adrian Quintana, Reuben Key, Torrian Epps, Harvey Smithson, Drew Shumway, Corey Graham, Robert Dawson, Derrick James, Kene Lopez, Decoven Adams, Jamerrino White and Sherton Silversmith.
   Holbrook will host St. Johns in a scrimmage contest at 7 o’clock tonight (Aug. 22) at Roadrunner Stadium. The Birds officially kick off the season at 1 o’clock on Friday afternoon, Aug. 29, with a game against Chino Valley in the Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff. They will celebrate homecoming early this year when they host San Manuel on Friday, Sept. 5.