Notes from the North: Winslow beats Flagstaff for second-straight season, 14-12; Snowflake, Payson earn victories

September 10, 2022 by Brian M. Bergner Jr., AZPreps365


Winslow and Flagstaff players shake hands at midfield after the Bulldogs pulled off a 14-12 upset of the Eagles on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022. Winslow beat Flagstaff a year ago by the same score, 14-12. (Brenden Martin, The Daily Sun/Courtesy)

WINSLOW — Keaton Kislingbury completed 6 of 15 passes for 72 yards and a touchdown through the air, but it was his legs that made the difference Friday night.

On fourth and goal with the Bulldogs trailing 12-8 with 11:51 left in the game, Kislingbury scored the go-ahead touchdown to put Winslow ahead for good in a 14-12 victory over Flagstaff.

Kislingbury had 18 carries for 86 yards and the fourth-quarter score for Winslow (2-1, 0-0 3A Northeast), which beat this same Eagles club in the Walkup Skydome a year ago by the same score, 14-12.

Winslow will travel to Show Low on Friday, Sept. 16, in Week 5 action. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Flagstaff (0-2, 0-0 4A Grand Canyon) has now lost back-to-back games, including a 53-20 rout at the hands of Camelback a week ago.

The Eagles welcome Rio Rico to the dome Friday, Sept. 16. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

SNOWFLAKE 20, SHOW LOW 14

SHOW LOW — Quarterback Easton Butler threw two touchdown passes, Bradden Lewis and Sam Brown each hit a field goal and Snowflake survived Show Low 20-14 despite turning the ball over six times Friday night.

Butler competed 8 of 19 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns, but threw three interceptions and had a QBR of just 72.4. Butler also fumbled the ball three times, two of which he lost, giving the senior quarterback five turnovers.

Lance Christensen caught three balls for 100 yards and a touchdown, while Davyn McCray caught the other touchdown passes from Butler in the win.

Snowflake (2-0, 0-0 4A East Sky) defeated Northwest Christian 37-19 to open the 2022 campaign and are coming off back-to-back state championship seasons in the 3A conference.

The Lobos are set to host Glendale on Friday, Sept. 16. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Show Low (2-1, 0-0 3A Northeast) beat Valley Christian (42-28) and Payson (42-19) to start the season before losing to Snowflake.

The Cougars are scheduled to welcome Winslow to town Friday, Sept. 16. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

PAYSON 17, MINGUS 13

PAYSON — Dexter Waterman threw for one touchdown and ran for another to lead a Longhorns team that scored 17 unanswered points in a 17-13 victory over visiting Mingus on Friday night.

Payson (3-1, 0-0 3A Metro East) found themselves trailing 13-0 after the first quarter of play, but two touchdowns by Waterman and a field goal by Braden Tenney in the third quarter led to the win.

Waterman completed 7 of 19 passes for 76 yards and ran four times for -1 yard. Senior running back Caleb Marinelli did much of the running Friday with 19 carries for 103 yards.

It is the second victory in as many weeks for Payson, which opened 2022 with a 17-0 win over Blue Ridge. The only blemish being a 42-19 loss to Show Low on Aug. 26.

The Longhorns will host Tempe on Friday, Sept. 16. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Mingus (1-1, 0-0 4A Grand Canyon) will host Independence next week. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. The Marauders opened the fall with a 48-0 win over Maryvale on Sept. 1.

OTHER NOTEABLE SCORES

Bradshaw Mountain 41, Mica Mountain 14

Coconino 62, Blue Ridge 6

Lee Williams 48, Wickenburg 15

Camp Verde 62, Red Mesa 0

Holbrook 46, Page 28

Williams 26, Bagdad 20

Prescott at Glendale (Cancelled)

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on Twitter @AzPreps365Brian. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.