Northern Arizona Roundup: Winslow upsets Flagstaff for third straight year, 14-13 at NAU

September 11, 2023 by Brian M. Bergner Jr., AZPreps365


Flagstaff hosted Winslow on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, at the Walkup Skydome on the campus of Northern Arizona University. Winslow beat the Eagles once again, this time a 14-13 victory. (Brian M. Bergner Jr./AzPreps365, file)

FLAGSTAFF — Quarterback Ty DeSpain completed only 5 of 10 passes for 93 yards, but his two rushing touchdowns put Winslow over the top in a 14-13 win over Flagstaff on Friday night.

It is the third straight season the Bulldogs (3-1, 1-0 3A North) have upset the Eagles, all with similar outcomes. Winslow beat Flagstaff 14-12 in both 2021 and 2022.

DeSpain had 18 carries for 80 yards with the two scores.

Winslow will host its first game of the 2023 season in Week 5 action Friday, Sept. 15, against Ganado. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Flagstaff (0-3, 0-0 4A Grand Canyon) is scheduled to hit the road for the first time this fall Sept. 15 against Desert Sunrise. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

MINGUS 28, BLUE RIDGE 27

LAKESIDE — Mikey Grijalva ran 13 times for 110 yards and a touchdown, Reighns Stokes had a score and Mingus finally notched one in the win column with a 28-27 win on the road over Blue Ridge on Friday night.

It is the first win of the season for the Marauders (1-2, 0-0 4A Grand Canyon), which lost its opener 20-12 against Mesquite, then were shut out against Estrella Foothills, 16-0.

Stokes completed 4 of 11 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown, while Seth Brueland had 110 yards rushing on nine carries.

Mingus is scheduled to head home in Week 5 to face Copper Canyon on Friday, Sept. 15.

Blue Ridge (3-1, 0-0 3A East) came into Friday’s game having won three straight, including 60-12 win over Monument Valley and 58-0 shut out over Window rock last week.

The Yellowjackets are scheduled to play at Morenci on Sept. 15.

Kickoff for both games is set for 7 p.m.

MOHAVE 42, LAKE HAVASU 0

LAKE HAVASU — Joe Yoney threw three touchdown passes and Mohave stayed perfect on the season with a 42-0 shutout over Lake Havasu on Friday night.

The Thunderbirds (4-0, 0-0 3A West) scored 21 unanswered points in the first half to put away the Knights early.

Yoney completed 20 of 26 passes for 287 yards, while also rushing six times for 51 yards and a score. Isac Urias caught seven balls for 110 yards, and Nathaniel Villarreal had six catches for 76 yards and two touchdowns.

Mohave will travel to Kingman in Week 5 action Friday, Sept. 15. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Lake Havasu (1-2, 0-0 4A West Valley) will host Youngker on Sept. 22 after a bye week.

SNOWFLAKE 55, SHOW LOW 17

SNOWFLAKE — Brennan Bryant completed 13 of 20 passes for two touchdowns, Aaden Coor ran for two more and Snowflake got back to its winning ways with a 55-17 win over Show Low on Friday night.

The Lobos (1-2, 0-0 4A East Sky) scored 20 unanswered points in the second quarter to take a 27-8 lead at halftime, then added 21 more in the third quarter to get their first win of the season.

Karter Raban, Jo Jo Lerma and Kanton Turley each had a rushing touchdown in the victory for Snowflake, which will face Gilbert on the road in Week 6 on Sept. 22 after a bye week.

Show Low (1-2, 0-0 3A East) will try to right the ship Sept. 15 in a home game against Paradise Honors. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

BAGDAD 27, WILLIAMS 12

WILLIAMS — Masiu Aholelei had 145 rushing yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns, Ezrah Aguilar had a score and Bagdad earned a 27-12 win over rival Williams on Friday night.

The Sultans’ victory over the 1A state runner up in 2022 comes one week after they exacted revenge against St. David (29-7, Sept. 1), which beat Bagdad in the state quarterfinals 70-26 a season ago.

Hayden, the other Final Four participant last season along with Williams, St. David and defending state champ Mogollon, beat Bagdad on Aug. 25, 32-7.

Bagdad (3-1, 0-0 1A West) is scheduled to play Desert Heights Prep. in Week 5 on Friday, Sept. 15. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Williams (1-2, 0-0 1A North) has Mayer on the schedule for Sept. 14. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

MOGOLLON 66, MAYER 6

MAYER — Defending 1A champ Mogollon made quick work of Mayer in a 66-0 win Thursday, but their night didn’t end in celebration.

Shortly after the game on the ride home, Mogollon’s bus caught fire in the northbound Lanes of Interstate 17 north of Arcosanti, according to a report from DPS and 12news.com.

According to reports, the check engine light came on just 10 minutes into the drive home, forcing the bus driver to pull off on to the side of the road.

Players in the back of the bus said they could smell smoke, then noticed a small fire.

Around 40 student athletes and coaches were on board and were able to evacuate the bus quickly before it burst into flames.

All football gear and backpacks were destroyed in the fire.

Nobody was injured in the fire. The cause is till under investigation.

NOTABLE SCORES

Bradshaw Mountain 38, Moon Valley 6

Lee Williams 43, Wickenburg 0

Thatcher 22, Round Valley 20

Maryvale 35, Chino Valley 31

Coconino 42, Payson 3

Arizona Lutheran 56, Camp Verde 36

St. Johns 25, Holbrook 16

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.