Oree Foster
Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

Red Mesa meets Alchesay for 2A Little Colorado gridiron title

October 22, 2018 by Oree Foster, AZPreps365


Throw out the records and throw out the statewide power rankings, two of the best 2A Little Colorado North Region teams, Red Mesa and Alchesay will decide the regular season football region champion this Friday in Whiteriver.

Kickoff for gridiron battle between the two North powers is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Red Mesa 66, Many Farms 0

Red Mesa enters the ball game undefeated, 9-0 overall and 6-0 in region. Alchesay is 8-1 on the year, more importantly 6-0 in region. Alchesay's lone loss was to the Pima Roughriders, 30-0, on September 7. The Falcons have won six of their last seven games.

Red Mesa and Alchesay both posted shutouts last Friday.

Red Mesa blanked the Many Farms Lobos, 66-0. Alchesay defeated the Hopi Bruins, 22-0.

Red Mesa head coach Pita Olomua said the Many Farms game prepares them for its game this week against Alchesay.

"The guys did a good job," Olomua said. "The guys focused on Many Farms and not looking past them. The guys worked hard all week in practice and it showed in the game against Many Farms."

Olomua praised the work of quarterback Dearan Horce, tight end Keanu Smith, running back Roland Begay and wide receiver Hunter Pipkin.

"Dearan, Keanu, Roland and Hunter have been playing extremely well this year," Olomua said. "Hunter is one of the best in the region. He plays outstanding on both sides of the ball."

Olomua said his players are all healthy and eligible for this Friday's contest with Alchesay.

Alchesay 22, Hopi 0

Alchesay head coach Brandon Newcomb said he was disappointed with the Falcons' offensive performance against Hopi.

"I don't think we played to our best abilities," Newcomb said. "Give credit to Hopi head coach Raleigh Namoki. His Bruins played hard for all four quarters. They had a good plan to defend us."

Newcomb praised his quarterback, Kellen Parrish, for his performance.

"He (Kellen Parrish) had a touchdown pass and he had a touchdown run," Newcomb said. "Davin Parker is a sophomore. He is filling in for Tyreck Cosay, who is injured, and he continues to improve each week."

Newcomb said the Falcons must eliminate penalties.

"We killed two drives in the first half, because of excessive penalties," he said. "I was pleased for the most part of our defense. We held Hopi scoreless, so that is a positive."

Newcomb said Cesario Hernandez played great at nose tackle, while Jordan Brooks played well at middle linebacker and Nick Kitcheyan is the leading tackler as a defensive end.

"We can always improve on our tackling," he said. "We can do a better job recognizing formations and aligning properly to them."

Many Farms (0-9, 0-6) host the Rock Point Cougars (2-7, 2-4) in the final game of the year for both teams on Friday at 7 p.m.

Pinon 26, Greyhills Academy 20

The Pinon Eagles improved its overall record to 4-6 and 4-2 in region play after outlasting the Greyhills Academy Knights, 26-20, in region battle.

Greyhills Academy dropped to 1-7 overall and 1-5 in region.

Greyhills head coach Kyle Blackrock said despite the loss, the Knights played well offensively.

"The option game was there," he said. "We need to work more on execution. Tyrique Bartlett had a solid game, followed by Stran Beard. They both were the key factors on setting up our option game offensively."

Blackrock said the Knights will make adjustments for this week's game at Valley Sanders.

"Adjustments that need to be made is the excecution of the play," Blackrock said. "Linemen holding their blocks, opening up lanes for their backs. Also, the back caring out their fakes and ball security. We had too many turnovers, due to ball security."

Blackrock the Knights defense stepped up.

"Our defense were disciplined and fought to the end," he said. "Defensively, freshman Buteo Isaac had a solid game. He had one interception that he returned for a touchdown and had six tackles."

Tyrique Bartlett scored two touchdowns, Tanner Beaver and Buteo Isaac scored a touchdown apiece for Greyhills.

Greyhills Academy travels to Sanders to face Valley Pirates (1-7, 1-5) this Friday at 7 p.m. in a final game of the year for both teams.

Pinon entertains the Hopi Bruins (4-5, 4-2) this Friday in a region game at 7 p.m.

Rock Point 34, Valley Sanders 28 (2 OT's)

In a 2A Little Colorado Region contest, the Rock Point Cougars outlasted the Valley Sanders Pirates, 34-28, in two overtimes.

Valley Sanders head coach Patrick Boone said the Pirates didn't play well in the first half of the game and pick it up in the second half.

"Rock Point played hard on both sides of the ball," Boone said. "Marquette Thompson stepped up and played lights out in the second half. The offensive line played well."

Boone said the Pirates' defense played well. He said Demetrius Begay had 10 quarterback sacks and Dean Roan recorded six quarterback sacks for the game. He added Seth Gishie returned a fumble for a touchdown and Wyatt Francisco returned a pass interception for a touchdown. Marcellus Barney caught a pass for a touchdown."

Rock Point (2-7, 2-4) travels to Many Farms (0-9, 0-6) for a season-ending ball game this Friday at 7 p.m.

Page 64, Chinle 7

Despite a 64-7 victory over the Chinle Wildcats in 3A North Region football action, Page head coach Mitchell Stephens didn't have much to say.

Stephens said the Sand Devils' offense did well and his defense did very well.

Page's Kele Meredith rushed for 251 yards, while Robert Smith added 92 yards on the ground and threw two touchdowns. Justin Salabiye caught passes, including a touchdown.

Stephens said offensive linemen Cheyenne Richardson, Terran Blackgoat, Andrew Curley, Cameron Billy and Conner Begay were dominant.

Scoring touchdowns for Page were Hayden Gracia (2 touchdowns), Robert Smith (1 rushing touchdown, 2 passing touchdowns), Dillion Anderson (kick return for touchdown), Damian Sloan (pass interception for touchdown), Kele Meredith (three rushing touchdowns), Kimball Begay (1 pass receiving touchdown), and Jstin Salabiye (1 pass receiving touchdown).

Chinle head coach Alan Barwick said the Wildcats' offensive line started the game well and then decided to take the night off.

"It's entirely possible that we set a record for most dropped passes in a quarter, a half and in a game," Barwick said. "We have to make adjustments in our offense. We need to catch the ball."

Barwick added, "Our defense has been our rock all season. They were bound to have a bad game. Too bad they picked a game in which we couldn't afford to be bad."

Chinle's Darren Woody scored the Wildcats' lone touchdown of the game, on a screen pass.

Page (8-1, 4-0, entertains the Monument Valley Mustangs (4-5, 3-1) this Friday at 7 p.m. in a region contest.

Monument Valley 56, Ganado 14

The Monument Valley Mustangs played strong on both sides of the ball, enroute to a 56-14 victory in 3A North Region action.

Monument Valley head coach Bryan Begay said the Mustangs' offense played well.

"We had our moments, where we executed," Begay said. "We also had our moments where we didn't look very good. Ganado played and they were prepared for us."

Begay said he was proud of the Mustangs' defense.

"We have spent more time on the defensive ball this season, than any other season," he said. "The defensive line played hard. They shot and penetrated. The allowed Ganado 24 yards. The linebackers did what they do best, read and fill. We need to tackle and wrap better. Win the next play. That is what we preach. Forget about the past and focus on this one play. Basically, do your job."

Monument Valley (4-5, 3-1) will be at Page for a 3A North Region game this Friday at 7 p.m.