As Sam Sees It<br>

The Winslow Bulldogs shocked almost everyone except maybe themselves and their coaches with their 14-0 upset of the Blue Ridge Yellowjackets in Lakeside on Friday.

The victory should propel Winslow into the top five 3A teams in the state and gain respect for Coach Matt Gracey’s team.

Nolan Horn showed off his wares as the premier running back in the Bulldog attack. The Winslow defense recorded the first shutout of a Blue Ridge team in 15 years. The last time the Yellowjackets did not score was 1987 during the first Bush administration. It was also the first regular season loss by a Blue Ridge team since 1991.

The Bulldog defense and line cannot be given too much credit. This Blue Ridge team may not be as formidable as last year’s state championship squad, but no Paul Moro team is a pushover by any means.

The Winslow coaching staff deserves praise as well. They managed to focus the team on this game after a lop-sided loss to Snowflake at home.

Many, including me, felt that Winslow might well beat Snowflake and were disappointed in that loss. Frankly, Blue Ridge looked like an impossible task after the Snowflake game.

Winslow is the prohibitive favorite to win the 3A North Region now, if they weren’t before. A note of caution is in order going into next week’s game with Ganado, though. The last time the Hornets were here, Winslow was the favorite and came away on the short end of a 20-6 score. Also, Friday is Homecoming. Blue Ridge was celebrating their Homecoming last Friday when the Bulldogs managed their upset.

Congratulations Bulldogs on a magnificent victory. Enjoy it, but build on it by making it just the first in a streak that doesn’t end until the championship crown is yours.

Friday was a good day for the Arizona Diamondbacks as well. The team defeated Colorado 8-6 to clinch at least a share of the NL West crown. It would have taken a total collapse to lose that title after Friday’s win. The victory also put Arizona in the lead for home field advantage in the first round of the play-offs.

It will be interesting to see how the team manages in its attempt to overcome the loss of Luis Gonzalez, their best offensive player. Gonzo’s absence will hurt. Craig Counsell’s injury and departure has already hurt. The versatile Counsell would probably have kept the recent losing streak from happening. The loss of Danny Bautista early in the season is also still being felt. Brian Anderson’s broken foot may prove costly in the play-offs.

There is still reason for Diamondback fans to hope. The presence of two of the best pitchers in the game and a veteran team that never gives up may be enough to get the job done again.

Like the Bulldogs, the Diamondbacks need to put their recent adversities behind them and go on a winning streak that doesn’t stop until there is another World Series banner in Bank One Ballpark.

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