Kayenta Monument Valley Mustangs' one-win and four-losses record is misleading.

The Mustangs took advantage of Window Rock's poor tackling and mental mistakes, to post a 42-24 victory over the Fighting Scouts in an opening Class 3A North Region prep football game thid season at Judd Avey Memorial Stadium in Fort Defiance on Friday night.

Kayenta Monument Valley improved to 2-4, more importanly 1-0 in region play. Window Rock dropped to 3-3 overall and 0-1 in region action.

Kayenta Monument Valley head coach Bryan Begay said it was a good win for the Mustangs.

"Our guys came to play football tonight," Begay said. "I am proud of them. They started the game off strong, scoring sa pair of touchdowns in the first quarter. We scored our first touchdown with about two minutes after the opening kickoff. Everything went our way thereafter."

On the other side of the field, Window Rock head coach Wilbur Begay Jr. said the Fighting Scouts shot themselves in the foot, by committing countless mental mistakes and poor tackling.

"We need to work on our tackling," the Window Rock skipper said. "Our bad tackling allowed MV to move the ball on us. It's back to the basics during our practice sessions next week. Our region schedule is not going to get any essier. We play at Page next week. Page is a strong team. We have to pl;ay four quarters of football. We committed too many mental mistakes in penalities."

Kayenta Monument Valley freshman quarterback Andrew Sheppard moved the Mustangs quickly down the field into the Red Zone. With 10:53 remaining in the first quarter, Sheppard called his own number, bolting into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown. Sheppard scored the 2-point PAT for an 8-0 Mustang lead.

After both tems failed to move the ball on three possesions, Kayenta Monument Valley took care of business, scoring on a 5-yard run by Morias Holiday. The Mustangs completed the two-point PAT for a 16-0 advantage with 2:01 left.

The Mustangs continued to control the game in the second quarter. Midway through the second frame, the Mustangs Demarquez Benson plunged into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown. The PAT failed. The Mustangs extended its lead to 22-0.

Window Rock battled back during the second period. Fighting Scouts quarterback Joey Begay moved his team into the Red Zone. Begay found Marion Ynzunza on an 8-yard touchdown pass. The PAT failed. Kayenta Monument Valley held a 22-6 lead.

After Kayenta Monument Valley went three and out, Window Rock signal-caller Joey Begay engineered a Fighting Scouts offensive run. Begay connected with Jason Yazzie on a 60-yard touchdown pass. The PAT failed. Window Rock cut the Mustangs' lead to, 22-12.

Prior to the end of the second quarter, with 24-seconds remaining, Mustangs quarterback Sheppard scored on a 1-yard run. The PAT failed, Kayenta Monument Valley held a 28-12 lead.

With 4:22 remaining in the third quarter, Window Rock quarterback Joey Begay threw his third touchdown pass of the game. He threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Trevor Herbert. The PAT failed, Kayenta Monument Valley held a 28-18 advantage.

As time was running out in the third quarter, Kayenta Monument Valley's Morias Holiday scored a 2-yard touchdown. Holiday followed with a two-point PAT, lifting the Mustangs to a 36-18 lead.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Mustangs' Jackson Bia entered pay dirt on a 5-yard touchdpwn. The PAT failed, Kayenta Monument Valley held a 42-18 advantage.

Window Rock continued to play hard in the fourth quarter. Fighting Scouts' Naataah Chief scampered 60-yards for a touchdown. The PAT failed.

Kayenta Monument Valley head coach Bryan Begay said freshman quarterback Andrew Sheppard played a good game. Begay said Sheppard suffered a minor injury to his leg. He said Morias Holiday replaced Sheppard at quarterback and turned in a solid performance.

Window Rock head coach Wilbur Begay Jr. said Fighting Scouts signal-caller Joey Begay played his heart out. Begay threw three touchdown passes for the game.