Nez-Watson duo leads Chinle to winning debut

By Oree Foster
Staff Sports Writer

CHINLE, Ariz. — Chinle senior quarterback Nickolas Nez and senior running back Darrion Watson each turned in stellar performances in leading the Wildcats to a 32-16 victory over the Greyhills Knights in a non-conference football season opener in Chinle on Friday night.

Chinle head coach George LaFrance said Nez and Watson played superbly.

"Nick (Nez) was tough tonight," LaFrance said. "He has a good arm and throws accurately. He can scramble and find the open man. He hooked up with Mathias (Claw) three times for touchdowns. Mathias moved well without the ball, got himself open and Nick connected with him. Darrion was our workhorse tonight. He carried with authority and did a good job."

Nez, a southpaw, threw four touchdown passes, including three aerial strikes for six-pointers to Claw. Nez found Denzel Harvey for one touchdown. For the night, Nez completed 10 of 16 passes for 148 yards. Claw hauled in eight passes for 120 yards.

Watson was effective on the ground, churning up 159 yards on 25 carries.

For the night, the Wildcats chalked up 438 total offensive yards.

"I knew Greyhills would come in and play hard," LaFrance said. "We played well in the first half. Greyhills came storming back in the second half. They played hard and never quit. Greyhills coach (Ed) Tano does a great job. I have a lot of respect for him and his team."

Greyhills netted 261 total offensive yards for the night. Joel Tunney rambled for 61 yards on five carries, including one touchdown. Elliott Chee rushed for 46 yards on seven carries and one touchdown. Greyhills signal-caller Jonathan Boone completed 8 of 18 passes for 90 yards.

Greyhills head coach Tano said the Knights did not back down, even after falling behind 26-0 in the second quarter.

"We lacked experience and we're young," Tano said. "We made some mistakes early, but the kids never gave up. This was a defining moment for them. We came back, playing well in the second half. The kids never gave up. The kids are good on and off the field. I knew we would have our hands full."

After receiving the opening kickoff, Greyhills' offense stalled after failing to move the pigskin. On fourth down on the drive, Greyhills attempted a punt. The punt was blocked by Chinle’s defensive end Denzel Harvey and Lewis Tsosie pounced on the ball at the 9-yard line.

On the first play of the drive, a false start moved the ball to the 14-yard. Watson rushed the ball to the 10-yard line and Nez then connected with Claw for a 10-yard scoring strike. Nez found Harvey for the two-point PAT for an 8-0 lead with 9:30 remaining in the first quarter.

Greyhills had a difficult time moving the ball on its' next drive. The Knights failed to move the ball on three consecutive incomplete passes. On fourth down, miscommunication between the long snapper and punter resulted in a two-point safety when the ball rolled into the end zone. On the two-point safety, Chinle extended its' lead to 10-0 with 8:45 remaining in the first quarter.

The Wildcats took advantage of the safety. After the kick, Chinle started at its' own 41-yard line and called Watson’s number three times. On his third attempt, Watson moved the ball to the 28-yard line.

On the fourth play of the drive, Nez connected with Claw for a 28-yard touchdown pass. Nez called his own number, crossing the goal line for a two-point PAT for an 18-0 lead with 6:47 remaining in the first quarter.

Greyhills and Chinle could not muster very offense on the next four drives. The Knights were driving down field before the drive was halted when Chinle’s Keanu Curley picked off a pass returning the ball to the 24-yard line.

Watson rushed to the 37-yard line. Nez rambled for 24 yards but the play was nullified by a penalty. Nez again called his own number rushing down to the 28-yard line. On the sixth play of the drive, Nez completed a 28-yard scoring strike to Claw. Watson bulled into the end zone for the two-point PAT as Chinle extended its' lead to 26-0 with 5:11 remaining in the second quarter.

Throughout the third quarter, Chinle and Greyhills moved the ball between the two 20-yard lines, but couldn't muster any points.

Starting on the 43-yard line, Boone rushed to the 36-yard line. A false start moved the ball back to the 41. Another penalty — 15 yards — moved the ball to the 25-yard line. Boone found Chee for a 10-yard gain to the 16. Boone again connected with Chee, moving the ball to the 7-yard line.

On the next play, Chee rambled into the end zone on a 7-yard jaunt. Tunney tacked on the two-point PAT, cutting Chinle’s lead to 16-points, 32-16, with 49.5-seconds remaining in the game.

Chinle continues its homestand, entertaining the Show Low Cougars on Aug. 31 in a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Greyhills hosts the Camp Verde Cowboys in its' home opener in Tuba City on Aug. 31. Kickoff is 7 p.m.