Sand Devils pulverize Window Rock in Homecoming win.

Kele Meredith surpasses 1,000 yards rushing for the season.

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Window Rock’s kick-off returner got a lot of action last Friday night.


The Sand Devils hosted the Fighting Scouts for Homecoming and easily defeated them, 94-0.


The Sand Devils offense played a crisp and well-executed game. With both their running and passing attack clicking they finished the game with 490 yards total offense.
The Sand Devils offense marked a major milestone Friday when running back Kele Meredith surpassed 1,000 yards rushing for the season. Meredith would go on to rush for 207 yards, and three touchdowns, Friday night.


On a sidenote, Meredith was also voted Homecoming King at halftime. All in all, it was a pretty good night for the senior running back.


The Sand Devils defense, which has been very impressive all season, simply crushed the Window Rock offense. The Window Rock offense crossed into the Sand Devils side of the field only two times.


In the first half the Sand Devils put 20 points on the board which came from three pick-sixes and a safety. The pick sixes came from Dillion Anderson, Justin Salabiye and Austin Green. Gabe Gomez also intercepted a pass which he turned into six points two plays later under center, running it in from the two yard line on the heels of a Meredith 43 yard run.


The first half ended when the Sand Devils Dillion Anderson returned a kick-off all the way to the endzone. The Sand Devils went into the locker room leading 64-0.


Due to Page’s large lead, the refs implemented the running clock rule in the game’s second half. Even then the game couldn’t end quickly enough for the Fighting Scouts.
The second half saw a 57 yard touchdown run from Hayden Gracia and a 64 yard touchdown run from Meredith.


Coach Mitchell Stephens put in his JV squad for the fourth quarter and they scored the game’s final touchdown. The final score was Page 94, Window Rock 0.


The Sand Devils defensive coordinator, Mark Openshaw, is proud of his defense. And he should be. They have allowed only 110 points in the season’s first six games, 50 of which came from their game against Snowflake, the Sand Devils one loss.


Coach Openshaw gestured to the scoreboard reading 94-0. “Our defense wants zeros on the opponent’s side of the scoreboard for the rest of the season.”


“Our defense is getting better each week,” he said. “This is a talented group and they battle for four solid quarters every game. They like to battle. The group of players we have on the field this year have been building a culture of winning and excellence for the last three years, and this year is the culmination of it.”


Gabe Gomez was two for two passing for 64 yards and one touchdown. He also had four carries for 37 yards and one touchdown. Robert Smith was two for two passing for 39 yards and two touchdowns. He also had one carry for 12 yards. Dainian Sloan was one for one passing for 21 yards. He also had one reception for 25 yards and a touchdown.
Kele Meredith had ten carries for 207 yards and three touchdowns.  Hayden Gracia had four carries for 66 yards and one touchdown. Marcus Coulson had one carry for 34 yards and a touchdown.


Justin Salabiye had one reception for 39 yards. Brandon James had one reception or nine yards and a touchdown. Kimball Begay had two receptions for 51 yards and one touchdown.



Defense:
Brandon James had 12 tackles. Anthony Isaac had seven tackles and one sack. Hayden Gracia had five tackles and three sacks. Dillion Anderson, Justin Salabiye, Gabe Gomez, Hunter Richardson, Peyton Yazzie and Austin Green each had one interception.


The Sand Devils are on the road for the next two weeks, starting with Ganado this Friday, and Chinle the next Friday. They return home on Oct. 26 against Monument Valley for the final game of the regular season.