By Oree Foster

Azpreps 365 Sports Writer

The defense made key stops and Window Rock rushed the ball well as the Fighting Scouts posted a 20-12 freedom game victory over the Holbrook Roadrunners in a prep football game played at Judd Avey Memorial Stadium in Fort Defiance.

The victory was Window Rock's first football win over Holbrook in 10 years.

"The guys played four quarters of football," Window Rock's second-year head coach Wilbur Begay Jr. said. "It was a good win for the school, the players, the parents, the community and the coaching staff. It's been a long time since Window Rock has beaten Holbrook in football. In fact, it's been 10 years since Window Rock has beaten Holbrook. The players worked hard for the victory."

Window Rock improved to 3-2 overall. The Fighting Scouts completed its preseason freedom games. Window Rock entertains the Kayenta Monument Valley Mustangs in the 3A North Region game next Friday in Fort Defiance.

"We enter 3A North Region games beginning with Monument Valley next Friday at home," Begay said. "Monument Valley has a solid football program. Monument Valley's Bryan Begay is an excellent head coach. Monument Valley will be very tough."

First-year Holbrook head coach Larry Hayes said penalties hurt the Roadunners chances throughout the contest.

"We committed too many penalities," Hayes said. "We had opportunities. We beat ourselves by committing too many penalties. We need to clean up our penalties. We are beginning 3A East Region games. The 3A East Region is a tough region to play in."

Hayes said lack of depth hurt Holbrook. He said with the season in full swing, the players are gaining invaluable playing experience.

"We have a young team," he said. 'The players done a good job. Quarterback Anthony Nelson did a good job. Anthony is playing football for the first time this year. He is learning."

Window Rock and Holbrook moved the ball well, but the two teams failed to break a scoreless tie as the first period ended.

The Fighting Scouts broke a scoreless tie in the second quarter. The Fighting Scouts moved the ball down the fiele into the Red Zone. Window Rock running back Naataa Chee rushed for a 3-yard touchdown, lifting the Fighting Scouts to 6-0 lead.

Holbrook moved the ball into Window Rock's territory, but penalties was the Roadrunners' culprit. The Roadrunners were forced to punt the ball away.

Window Rock started a drive from its 35-yard line. The Fighting Scouts moved the ball effectively on the ground. The Fighting Scouts scored a touchdown, when Cobern Nez rambled into the end zone ona 9-yard run for a 12-0 lead.

Holbrook cut into Window Rock's lead when Roadrunner quarterback Anthony Nelson threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jeffrey Jones. The PAT failed, Window Rock held a 12-6 advantage.

Early in the fourth quarter, Window Rock tallied its final touchdown of the game. Quarterback Joey Begay scored on an 1-yard keeper. Trevor Herbert scored the 2-point PAT, giving the Fighting Scouts a 20-6 lead.

Holbrook did not die. The Roadrunners continued to fight. Roadrunners' quarterback Nelson threw his second touchdown pass of the game, conneting with Jones for 6-yards.

"The guys rushed on the ground well," Begay said. "We haven't seen us rushing the ball in the last two games. Our linemen did a good job blocking, freeing our running backs. Our goal was to rush the ball. In order for us to win, we had to rush the ball. We did and went won the game."

Begay said Fighing Scouts quarterback Begay has played well since taking over as the team's signal-caller. Starting quarterback Tyrell Boyd suffered an injur against Rock Point in the second game of the year. Boyd has been cleared b the doctor to resume playing, but will have to win his job back as the team's quarterback.