The Sand Devils opened the 2023 season last Friday night with a decisive 42 to 13 win over the Chino Valley Cougars.

But it was Chino Valley that scored first after they recovered a dropped snap from quarterback Joseph Benally in the opening minutes of the game. Chalk it up to first game jitters. The Cougars took possession of the ball on the Sand Devils 23 yard line and found the endzone a few plays later. After a successful point after touchdown (PAT), they led 7-0 with 9:50 left in the first quarter. 

On the ensuing kick-off, Page’s Shaine Begay returned the kick from the 20 yard line to the Cougar’s 40 yard line, but a Sand Devils penalty brought the ball back to Page’s 45 yard line. With a little breathing room, Page settled into its offense and steadily progressed the ball down the field. The Sand Devils scored a few plays later on a pass from Benally to Tyree Stingley, who danced through the Cougars secondary on his way to the endzone.

The Sand Devils Connor Peterson ended the Cougars second drive after he intercepted a pass at the Chino 17 yard line. Page quickly capitalized on the interception and put 6 more points on the board after Benally connected with wide receiver Caleb Nix, who eluded several tacklers on his way to the endzone. After an unsuccessful PAT, the Sand Devils led 12-7.

Nix was just getting started. He intercepted a pass on the Cougars’ next possession and caught a 27-yard touchdown pass a few minutes later.

Page’s defense – led by Tyree Stingley, who had an excellent game – played hardnosed football Friday night, often catching the Cougars quarterback and running backs in the backfield, which never allowed Chino Valley’s offense to get in sync or get comfortable. Page’s defense kept the Cougars offense flustered, out of step and bewildered the entire night. Chino Valley’s third possession ended when a long snap sailed over the punter’s head. The Sand Devils recovered the ball on their own 5 yard line and punched it into the endzone a couple plays later. This time, the Sand Devils tried kicking a field goal, something they don’t usually do. Connor Peterson sailed it straight through the uprights. The Sand Devils led 25 to 8 with 6:58 remaining in the first half. 

   Peterson added three more points on Page’s next possession, kicking a 27-yard field goal and added another field goal following a touchdown from Vance Gardner, who ran it in from the 5 yard line.

Chino Valley scored one more time in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. Page’s defense blocked their field goal attempt.

The Sand Devils finished the game scoring another touchdown and PAT. The final score read Page 42, Chino Valley 13.

“I think we did well on both sides of the ball,” said Sand Devils head football coach Leland Billie. “We had a lot of nerves going into the game. It was the first time playing varsity for a lot of our players, but once we got settled into the rhythm big things happened for us.”

Coach Billie was very impressed by the high level of performance from several of his players. “Tyree Stingley, Manny Green, Caleb Nix and Connor Peterson all had outstanding games,” he said. “After watching the film, I realize that our entire O-line, and in particular Hunter Billah, did an amazing job.”

Last Friday was the first time in years that Page has utilized a field goal kicker and kicking PATs.

“Not having a kicking game cost us the win against Winslow last year. We lost by 2 points,” Coach Billie said. “My coaching staff wanted to address that this year.”

During the pre-season, the coaching staff put it out to the players that they were looking for a kicker.

“We had some kids try out and Connor won,” Coach Billie said. “He did a great job for us.”

Page has another home game this Friday against Holbrook.

“We have a few things I want to correct as we prepare for Holbrook,” Coach Billie said. “Nothing major, but a few tweaks. It was a battle against them last year and we’re looking forward to matching up with them again.”