The Snowflake Lobo football squad is entering their 5^th season in the 4A Conference. Last year was Coach Trevor Reddick’s first year at the helm. The Lobos went 9-1 in the regular season. Obtaining the 2^nd seed, the Lobos lost to the eventual champion, Mica Mountain, in the quarterfinals of last year’s state bracket. This upcoming schedule will be the mirror image from last year’s schedule. No new teams are on the schedule.

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Game 1. The Lobos host Coconino on August 28. The Lobos won a nailbiter last year at Coconino. The all-time record between the Lobos and Panters is even, 12-12.

Game 2. The Lobos travel to ALA West Foothills on September 4. This will be the second meeting between the two programs. Snowflake beat the Guardians last year, 30-10. ALA West Foothills is located in Waddell in the far West Valley.

Game 3. Bradshaw Mountain visits Snowflake on September 11. This is the 5^th year in a row that the two squads meet. The Lobos have the edge in the all-time record with 5 wins and 2 losses.

Game 4. The Lobos head to Tucson to play Catalina Foothills High School on September 18. This will be the second matchup between the two programs. The Lobos beat the Falcons last year, 45-13.

Game 5. The Lobos begin two home games in a row when Marcos de Niza comes to town on September 25. The Lobos beat the Padres last year, 49-18. Snowflake is 3-0 against the Padres.

Game 6. Snowflake hosts Poston Butte High School on October 2. The Broncos are located in San Tan Valley. Snowflake is 4-0 against Poston Butte all-time.

Game 7. The Lobos play at the Combs Coyotes on October 9. The Lobos are 2-0 against Combs. Combs High School is located in San Tan Valley and opened in 2009.

Game 8. The Lobos’ final home game is on October 16 against Eastmark. The Lobos beat Eastmark twice last season, once in the regular season and once in the playoffs. The Lobos are 3-1 all-time against the Firebirds.

Game 9. Snowflake travels to Gilbert to play against Mesquite High School on October 23. Last year was the first matchup for these two schools. The Lobos were victorious, 41-13.

Game 10. Snowflake travels to Phoenix to finish the regular season on October 30 at Arcadia High. The Lobos are 2-2 against the Titans all-time. Arcadia beat Snowflake last year to claim the region championship.

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150 Years of Mormon Settlement in Arizona

This year marks the 150th anniversary of continuous Mormon settlement in Arizona. Four original settlements were established in 1876. Since then, the footprint of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Arizona has increased dramatically.

Early Exploration of Arizona Territory

Several exploration companies were sent prior to 1876 to the Arizona Territory to find suitable locations for settlements, including those led by Wallace Roundy, Horton D. Haight, and Andrew Amundsen. These expeditions did not speak highly of Arizona or of its ability to support permanent settlements. The trip to Arizona was treacherous, and crossing the Colorado River alone was a significant challenge.

Anticipating the migration and seeking to isolate him from the fallout of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, John D. Lee was sent to improve and operate what became known as Lee’s Ferry. Lee’s Ferry provided the quickest and most direct route across the Colorado River to reach the desired settlement area along the Little Colorado River.

The Little Colorado River’s headwaters begin in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. The river flows northwest and eventually empties into the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park.

More Favorable Reports and Missionary Efforts

Others spoke more favorably of Arizona. Jacob Hamblin completed several missions to the region and became a trusted friend and ally of Native American tribes in northeastern Arizona. Another missionary, James S. Brown, established an outpost near present-day Tuba City. Brown helped establish a route through “Indian Country” and conducted extensive exploration.

Establishment of the Arizona Mission

Years of exploration and growing momentum led President Brigham Young to establish the “Arizona Mission” to colonize the Little Colorado River Basin. The mission was initially divided into four companies of fifty families each, led by four captains. These companies were organized geographically to draw members from throughout Utah.

The Four Original Settlements of 1876

Sunset (North Central Company)

Captain Lot Smith led the North Central Company, consisting of Saints from Salt Lake City and Davis, Morgan, Wasatch, and Summit counties. Their settlement, Sunset, was located just outside present-day Winslow, Arizona, along the Little Colorado River in what is now Homolovi State Park. Sunset did not survive; by 1885, Lot Smith and his family were essentially the only remaining residents.

Brigham City (Southern Company)

Across the river from Sunset stood Brigham City, led by Captain Jesse O. Ballenger. The original fort has since been renovated by residents of Winslow. Brigham City was abandoned in 1881. Ballenger’s Southern Company was comprised of Saints from Sanpete and Juab counties and the southern part of Utah County.

Obed (Northern Company)

Farther upstream along the Little Colorado River was Obed, led by Captain George Lake. The Northern Company included Saints from Weber, Box Elder, and Cache counties. Obed was located on the south side of the river, across from modern-day Joseph City. It was the shortest-lived of the four settlements, abandoned in the fall of 1877 after only eighteen months.

Joseph City (South Central Company)

The only surviving settlement from 1876 is the small unincorporated community of Joseph City, Arizona. It was led by William C. Allen and settled by the South Central Company, which included members from northern Utah County, southern Salt Lake County, and Tooele County.

Founding and Name Changes of Joseph City

Allen and his company arrived on March 24, 1876, a date still celebrated annually during Joseph City’s Founders Day. This year marks the 150th celebration.

The settlement was first known as Allen’s Camp and was renamed St. Joseph in 1878. In the 1920s, the railroad requested another name change due to frequent confusion with St. Joseph, Missouri, which lay along the same rail line. The community has been known as Joseph City for the past 100 years.

Early Hardships and Water Challenges

Life in Joseph City was extremely difficult due to the dry, arid, windy, and sandy conditions. The Little Colorado River’s inconsistent flow caused ongoing challenges. Dams were repeatedly built and destroyed by seasonal flooding.

The first dam, begun shortly after arrival in 1876, was completed on June 6 but washed out on July 19 of the same year. Early spring brought excess water when it was not needed, while late spring and early summer brought shortages. Late summer monsoons caused flash flooding. Water quality was poor, with muddy, sediment-filled, and salty water creating additional challenges.

Lasting Infrastructure and Growth

In 1894, a dam was constructed that lasted beyond a single season. That dam remained in use until 1923. The dam built in 1923 is still standing today.

Joseph City currently has a population of just over 1,300 residents. There are three wards in Joseph City, all part of the Winslow, Arizona Stake.

Expansion of Mormon Settlement in Arizona

The four original settlements opened the door for many others called to the Arizona Mission. Communities such as Eagar, Greer, Heber, Lakeside, Lehi, Mesa, Pinetop, Pima, Show Low, Snowflake, St. David, St. Johns, Taylor, Thatcher, and many others were established shortly thereafter.

Today, Arizona is home to nearly 450,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, organized into 118 stakes and 904 congregations. Six temples are currently in operation: Mesa (1927), Snowflake (2002), Gila Valley (2009), Gilbert (2014), Phoenix (2014), and Tucson (2017). Three additional temples have been announced for Yuma, Queen Creek, and Flagstaff.

Sources

Colonization on the Little Colorado – The Joseph City Region
by George S. Tanner and J. Morris Richards

Take Up Your Mission – Mormon Colonizing Along the Little Colorado River, 1870–1900
by Charles S. Peterson

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James Pearce, recognized as the first settler of present-day Taylor, arrived in Woodruff—then known as Tenney—on December 13, 1877. He had been called by church leadership to help settle Arizona and traveled from his home in St. George, Utah.

After reaching Woodruff, Pearce left his family there and began searching for a more suitable place to establish a permanent settlement.

Searching the Silver Creek Valley (Late 1877)

While exploring the Silver Creek Valley, Pearce encountered James Stinson, who offered to sell his squatter rights for $18,000. Pearce declined the offer and continued approximately three miles upstream, where he found what he believed to be a better location. Six months later, Stinson sold his original claim to William Jordan Flake.

Pearce returned to Woodruff to bring his family to the new site. As they reached a ridgeline overlooking Stinson’s ranch, Pearce’s wife—ill and resting in the wagon—looked up as the family took in the view of the Silver Creek Valley. Despite the winter season, remnants of Stinson’s harvested fields, livestock, permanent structures, and cottonwood trees lining the creek were likely visible.

Founding of Taylor Recognized (January 23, 1878)

The Pearce family camped overnight at Stinson’s ranch, where Stinson attempted to discourage Pearce from settling along Silver Creek. Pearce persisted and moved farther upstream, constructing a temporary dugout.

On January 23, 1878, Pearce and his family arrived at this temporary home. The Town of Taylor officially recognizes this date as the community’s founding.

Early Farming Efforts and Expansion (Spring 1878)

A few months later, John Henry Standifird arrived with his daughter and stayed with the Pearce family. Together, the two men began diverting water from Silver Creek to irrigate crops. Their farming site was located even farther upstream, south of present-day Shumway.

In April 1878, the two families moved upstream to farm, though Pearce retained his squatter claim at his original location in what is now Taylor.

The Settlement Known as Bagley (1878)

During this period, the growing settlement became known as Bagley. In the fall of 1878, Pearce returned to his original dugout as more settlers arrived.

Among them was the Bagley family. Daniel Bagley, called to settle in Arizona, arrived with his wife, children, his divorced adult daughter Margaret Melissa Bagley, and grandchildren. Church leader Jesse N. Smith referred to the settlement as “Bagley’s Camp.”

However, the name did not last. Voter registration records for Yavapai County in 1878 refer to the area as Silver Creek, while present-day Snowflake appears as Stinson Valley.

A New Name: Walker (1879)

By 1879, the settlement was known as Walker. The reason for the name change from Bagley to Walker is unclear, but the name was quickly adopted.

On May 22, 1879, Snowflake Justice of the Peace Joseph Fish recorded that his first official act was marrying James Stinson and Margaret Melissa Bagley. Fish noted that the ceremony took place in Walker. By this time, Stinson had relocated to present-day Taylor after William J. Flake took over his former ranch.

The Walker Family’s Influence (1879–1880)

Around this time, the Walker family arrived with Noah Brimhall. Elizabeth Walker, a widow, came with her four surviving children and their families, including sons Jesse and William Walker. Their sizable presence likely influenced the settlement’s name, as the Walker family represented a significant portion of the small population.

The 1880 U.S. Census lists the town as Walker. Jesse N. Smith, president of the Eastern Arizona Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also referred to the community as Walker in a September 1880 journal entry when John Henry Standifird was called as bishop of the Walker congregation.

Becoming Taylor (1880–1881)

Despite local use, the name Walker was rejected by the U.S. Post Office Department because another town with the same name already existed near Prescott.

In late 1880 or early 1881, the name Taylor was adopted at the suggestion of Jesse N. Smith and Mary Jane Pearce, James Pearce’s wife. An earlier settlement named Taylor had existed along the Little Colorado River, where several early Snowflake settlers—including William Jordan Flake and A.Z. Palmer—had once lived. That community was eventually abandoned as residents relocated.

The residents approved the new name, and a post office officially opened under the name Taylor in 1881.

A Town by Many Names

Before settling on its current name, Taylor was known by at least four names: Bagley, Silver Creek, Walker, and finally, Taylor.

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In 1877, James or “Jim”, 18 years old, and Charles or “Charley”, 15 years old, were the two oldest surviving sons of William Jordan Flake and Lucy Hanna White when they were called to settle in Arizona. This church calling required them to abandon their nice farm and ranch in Beaver, Utah. Before leaving, Jim got married to Nancy Jane Hall. They left for Arizona on November 19, 1877. It is likely that Jim and Charley were relied on heavily by their father on the ranch before moving to Arizona and the livestock that they brought along.

The family was living along the Little Colorado River 5 miles west of Joseph City, Arizona. After 5 dam failures to tame the irregular flowing river and irrigate crops and after a dispute in the small community, their father left to look for a more suitable home. He eventually came across Silver Creek valley where James Stinson had a homestead with 300 acres of irrigated crops. Flake and Stinson ate dinner together on July 4, 1878. Flake told Stinson that he wanted to buy his valley but the two were not able to come to an agreement. Flake returned back to his family the next day and detailed his trip to his wives and children.

The asking price for Stinson’s squatter rights to the Silver Creek Valley was $12,000. Flake indicated that everything he owned didn’t amount to half of that price but he thought it was the best and ideal location to settle. After hearing this, Flake’s wife, Lucy, began to pressure him to buy the valley. She said she would contribute with laundry and cooking to make it work out. James and Charles persuaded their father to buy it too. Lucy, Jim, and Charley teamed up to convince Flake who eventually conceded and agreed to go ahead and make the deal. They moved to the valley on July 21, 1878. The Town of Snowflake recognizes this day as its founding even though Stinson was living in present day Snowflake as early as 1873.

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Later, Charley returned to Utah and attended Brigham Young Academy in Provo, Utah for two years and was called and served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mississippi. He served from 1883 to 1885. He married Christabell Hunt in 1885 and began his own family. He was industrious and spent time working at a retail store and teaching school. He was elected justice of the peace in 1886. He also began his own retail store and got a contract to carry mail from Holbrook to Fort Apache.

The older Jim served his own mission leaving his wife and then 6 children to serve a mission in England in the fall of 1887. He returned home October 25, 1889.

Jim recorded in his journal that him and his brother Charley entered into a partnership on July 1, 1890. The two were responsible for the US mail contract from Holbrook to Fort Apache and began to build a two-story building for their store and social hall. Charley referred to his brother Jim as being “broke up in property”. It appears that the younger Charley was better off financially and reached out to help his older brother, Jim. Jim had just returned from a 2-year mission and left his wife and 6 kids home while he was unable to earn an income as he served a mission.

Their mother said that “Charles took James in with him in the mail business. He kept increasing his store and took the mail for four years more. He was greatly blessed in his labors. He greatly assisted the poor and the widows.”

Jim and Charley added a second store and station in Show Low which was ran by their sister Mary and her husband, Theodore Turley.

The new store’s construction in Snowflake began in July of 1892 and eventually was finished after Charley’s untimely death in January 1893. The Store was later restored by Dean Porter and it houses the restaurant Streets today.

On December 8, 1892, a telegram was sent from Holbrook to Snowflake to James Flake. The telegram was sent by Nat Greer of the Apache County Sheriff’s Office. The telegram sent a description of a wanted man that was believed to be in Snowflake. It indicated that the man was dangerous and “be sure to have assistance enough to arrest him”. A $100 reward was offered if the actual man was arrested. The criminal was wanted for a bank robbery that occured in a San Marcial, New Mexico, a now ghost town along the Rio Grande located south of present day Socorro.

James and Charles acted upon the telegram. James later wrote in his journal that “we had received telegram to take and hold until the officer came from Holbrook, who was following him.” It appears that Jim felt like they were obligated to take action.

James and Charles were in their store. The two discussed the telegram and consulted how to effectuate the arrest. Both left to their homes to retrieve their pistols and to meet back up to carry out the arrest. When Charley went home, his wife encouraged him to sit down and eat. He told her he didn’t have time and to not wait but to go ahead and eat.

The two met up and decided that Charley would approach the man first and engage the man in conversation then Jim would come up and advise him he was under arrest. Charles entered first and complimented the man on the gun he was cleaning. James entered from the other direction and told him he was under arrest. The man questioned the authority to arrest him. He attempted to step back and Jim grabbed him by his right shoulder. The man attempted to spin around and while doing so drew another pistol from his pants with his left hand. Charley yelled “you can’t pull that on us.” The outlaw shot over his shoulder and hit Jim in his left ear. The gun powder residue was spread over his eye and cheek. The outlaw then turned on Charley and shot him through the neck. Although just sustaining an injury, Jim had the wherewithal to fire back. Jim shot two times at the bank robber, the first went straight into his mouth. The second entered his right cheek and out the top of his head.

Jim then rushed to Charley and immediately held him in his arms and stuck his thumb into the neck wound to stop the bleeding. Charley was hit in the jugular vein. Charles looked up at James and did not say anything, just smiled back at his brother.

James wasn’t even aware of his own injuries until afterwards. His ability to hear was diminished significantly and was hard of hearing the rest of his life. Jim wrote in his journal that “this is the first real sorrow I have even known, for months I was dazed, and time only made it harder to bear, and ever new trouble brings this old one fresh before me. By my own request this case was brought before the court and I was exonerated, or acquitted of any blame.”

The murder was reported in newspapers throughout Arizona including in Phoenix, Yuma, Tombstone, Globe, and Flagstaff.

Their mother, Lucy, wrote that “my dear son Charles was fatally shot. It is no use to try to tell of our sorrow. Poor James would stand by his brother and say ‘Oh, if you could have lived and I be taken’. It almost killed him. His injuries were very bad but heart trouble was worse.”

James would say that “if I could give that poor fellow back his life how gladly I would do it”. The young bank robber was merely 19 years old. James continued to struggle with the whole incident of losing his brother and killing another man. He could not sleep. Jim eventually felt peace after receiving a letter from church leadership in Utah telling him that “Charles has finished his work, has fought the good fight and kept the faith. You have the heartfelt sympathy of the First Presidency and the Twelve who have sorrowed over your trouble this day and offer you their blessing”. This comforted Jim and helped him cope. Jim and Charley’s younger son, Osmer, did most of the business for the store for a quite some time.

Charles left behind a wife and 3 kids. His wife was pregnant at the time and gave birth to Charles Love Flake Jr. six months later. Charles Love Flake Jr was killed while serving in World War One. Christabell never remarried.

Charles’s death was the first murder in the young town of Snowflake. His death is memorialized at that Peace Officer’s Memorial at the Arizona Capitol Plaza along with all other peace officers who have died in the line of duty in Arizona. Charles and James left a legacy of service. Their examples live on.

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The Lobos were led by Rich Hoyt, who was in his 2^nd season as the head coach. Hoyt previously coached in Williams, Arizona.

In 1985, the ‘A’ East region included Snowflake, Holbrook, Winslow, Show Low, Blue Ridge, Alchesay, Round Valley, and Saint Johns. During the regular season, the Lobos beat Saint Johns in overtime and lost to Round Valley. Saint Johns upset Round Valley in the last game of the regular season, thereby creating a 3-way tie between Snowflake, Round Valley, and Saint Johns for the region crown.

Only the top two teams from the region proceeded to the playoffs. To determine the two teams that would advance, the Lobos, Redskins, and Elks met at Lobo Stadium for a tie-breaker mini-playoff. The play-in tournament was hastily set up for the Tuesday of the first week of the playoffs. A snowstorm dropped a few inches the night before, and it was a frigid afternoon for the play-in tournament. Round Valley drew a first-round bye. The Lobos first played Saint Johns for one quarter. The Lobos won that shortened game. The Lobos then played the Elks for a quarter and lost that quarter. The Elks advanced as the first seed and the Lobos as the second seed from the East region.

The Redskins were left out of the playoffs even though they probably deserved to be included. There were no formulas back then to rank the teams. The top two teams from each region advanced regardless of the strength of their regular-season schedule.

In the playoffs, the Lobos traveled to Window Rock for the quarterfinals and beat the Fighting Scouts 30-14. The Lobos then beat the Miami Vandals in the semifinal game 28-6. Meanwhile, Round Valley beat Page and then Safford to reach the final. The stage was set for Snowflake and Round Valley to meet up again to determine the state champion. The Lobos and Elks squared off at Mesa High School. The game resulted in a 21-21 tie.

A week after the game, Round Valley Coach Tot Workman sent a letter to Snowflake’s Coach Hoyt. It said the following:

Dear Coach Hoyt,

Now that I have had time to sit and reflect on our experience a week ago, the more I realize what a great game it was. I also realize what a great privilege it was for me to coach this game. Reason #1 – To coach against such a fine staff as yours.

Reason #2 - To coach against such a class group of kids as yours.

Reason #3 – To coach against such a fine community.

Reason #4 – To have the same three reasons on my side.

I love my staff, kids, and community just as I know you do. I have coached 228 games, and I now have one tie. It was a hard-earned tie that I will always remember, and be grateful for in many ways. Coach I wish you the very best and look forward to seeing you in the off-season. Please take time to congratulate your fine team. I always appreciate a tough, clean bunch of young men. They are a credit to you, your school, your community and most of all to their families and self.

Respectfully yours,

Coach Tot Workman, Head Football Coach

After the season, the Arizona Republic newspaper named Lobo players Kay Solomon, Jeff Smith, Darrell McCray, and J.T. Ellsworth as all-state first team. Russel Peterson was named to the second-team all-state.

The Lobos would repeat as champions in 1986 without a tie and go on to win 6 titles in 9 seasons from 1985 to 1993. The Elks would not achieve another championship until 2019.

This year, the three schools are now in 3 different conferences. Round Valley and Saint Johns are playing for state championships in their respective conferences, while the Lobos were defeated in their quarterfinal match. That season 40 years ago, however, was one of many memorable moments that these former East Region rivals share. Best of luck to the Redskins and Elks this Saturday!

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The second commemoration is that 147 years ago, on July 21, 1878, the first settlers of Snowflake entered the Silver Creek Valley. The town’s founder, William Jordan Flake, with his own and a few other families entered the Silver Creek Valley to take possession of James Stinson’s ranch on that July day. Flake first entered the valley on July 4, 1878. He met Stinson and struck a deal to buy Stinson’s squatter rights in a just a couple weeks.

Since the early years of Snowflake, the residents have celebrated Pioneer Day. A parade has been a staple of the celebrations. Up until a couple years ago, a barbecue was part of the festivities too.

My memory from my childhood idealized this weekend. The footraces started the day. That was followed by the parade and then the barbecue and pioneer program in the Main Street Chapel. The rodeo filled up the afternoon. The championship softball games in the evening were so fun. The fireworks on the softball field capped the night until I was a little older and would go to the youth dance hoping to meet new girls from the Valley that I wasn’t related to.

Usually, there is a concert, play, melodrama, or musical as part of the events. The arts and crafts fair and car show put on by the Chamber of Commerce has been a great addition.

While the events have evolved a little bit, the purpose of the celebration and why we put so much work into the events has stayed the same. The settlers who founded this town went through extreme hardships.

It was well said by Gordon B Hinckley, “we must never allow recognition of their (the pioneer’s) trials, of the sacrifices, of their tenacity, of their faith and their prayers in establishing this great community to lapse or be forgotten… Let us remember with gratitude and reverent respect those who have gone before us, who paid so dear a price in laying the foundation for that which we enjoy this day.”

As we celebrate our past, let us be welcoming to those that have found this place a refuge like so many before us.

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On that morning each year, town folk can witness the Independence Day tradition of the firing of the anvil and the Jennings Band, featuring the Jennings Drum.

One anvil is placed on the ground and on top of that anvil, a hollow cylindrical piece of metal is filled with gun powder. Paper acting as a wick is placed in between. A second anvil is placed face down on the cylinder. From a distance, a long stick with a torch on the end ignites the wick and the force created shoots the top anvil up in the air as a cloud of smoke surrounds the explosion.

Two anvils from early Taylor pioneers are still used today: one originating from John Henry Standifird and the other from Joseph Smith Hancock. Billy Jo Hancock is in possession of the Hancock anvil; it is proudly displayed at his residence in Taylor. The Standifird anvil can be seen at the Taylor Heritage Museum.

The Hancock anvil was used by the Mormon Battalion that marched from Iowa to California in 1846-47. Hancock, a blacksmith by trade, brought the anvil to Taylor.

Standifird’s descendants have taken up the duties to fire the anvil annually. Standifird’s son, Quill, continued the tradition which has been passed down to great-grandchildren who now facilitate the firing.

The first firing occurs in front of the old church on Center Street at 4am. The firing of the anvil makes its way up to the softball field park at 5am accompanied by the Jennings Band. A few more stops are made before it ends at the Rodeo Park. At each stop, the anvil is fired several times.

The band performs at each location. The special feature of the band is the Jennings drum. The drum itself has quite the history. It was made for the Nauvoo Legion Band, led by Major Edward Duzette. The Legion was the state-authorized militia in Nauvoo, Illinois. After Nauvoo was vacated by the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the drum made its way west. The drum was gifted to Cyrus Jennings by Duzette. Jennings later settled in Taylor, Arizona and brought the drum with him. He would play it for special events, including Independence Day. His descendants have kept the drum tradition alive and it has continued to be a major feature each July. The drum is also on display in the Taylor Heritage Museum when it is not being used.

The Town of Taylor logo features the anvil and drum accompanying the phrase “Rich in Tradition & Pioneer Heritage” which perfectly describes this annual tradition.

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Eliza was born to Jesse N Smith and Emma Seraphine West in Parowan, Utah. She was the fourth of nine children. When she was 14 years old, her three older sisters had been invited and gone to a dance. She sat at home crying when came a knock at the door. Smith Rogers was there asking to take Eliza’s sister to the dance. Eliza’s mother informed the young man that she was gone but that Eliza was there and he could take her. Eliza accompanied Smith to the dance. Two years later, they married.

In 1879, the young family was called to go to Arizona to settle. Smith and Eliza, and their two small children left their home and headed to Snowflake. Eliza and her two children had whooping cough during the expedition. Outside of present-day Winslow, their 4-month-old son, Smith Jr., passed away.

They arrived in Snowflake and drew a lot to build a home. Their lot was where the present-day Academy Building lies. Years later, they sold their lot to the school. That first house burnt down while Smith returned to Utah to move his parents to Arizona.

Eliza’s sixth child, Sterling, passed away in 1887 after swallowing a glass marble. In 1893, her oldest daughter, Roxie, drowned while swimming in the Silver Creek. In 1909, her husband died from complications from a rock quarry accident. He left Eliza behind with 12 children to raise.

She moved to Clay Springs then Salt Lake City for short periods of time most likely trying to escape her despair. She ultimately returned to Snowflake but her home burnt down for a second time in 1923.

On December 26, 1927, she left her home in Snowflake after a disagreement with her older sons concerning a land deal. She left her home to take a walk to calm herself down. A storm settled in and obscured most markings leaving her with no sense of direction. The hard rain turned into a major blizzard. The snow soon covered everything. She never returned home.

A search party was formed. Many turned out to help locate her to no avail. Her body was later discovered on January 8, 1928, thirteen days after she went missing. Her body was preserved from the snow and cold temperatures.

The monument on the roadside refers to her death as “One of Navajo County’s Most Harrowing Deaths”. More accurately is to call her life one of Navajo County’s most harrowing lives.

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The Snowflake Lobo football squad is entering their 4^th season in the 4A Conference and look to improve on their deep playoff run from last year. The Lobos had a perfect regular season before their first defeat in the semifinal round of the state championship tournament last season.

The Lobos will have a new coach. Coach Kay Solomon retired after 10 seasons as the head coach. He is the winningest coach in Lobo history with 99 total wins. Offensive Coordinator Trevor Reddick was hired as the new head coach.

After the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s biennial football realignment, the AIA has placed the Lobos in the 4A Desert Sky region where they will face familiar teams and some new region opponents. Eastmark and Poston Butte will remain region rivals. The Lobos are will also meet Arcadia, Mesquite and Combs.

In addition to their regional games, the Lobos will play Marcos de Niza, Coconino, ALA West Foothills, Bradshaw Mountain, and Catalina Foothills according to the Southern Arizona Football’s X Page.

Game 1. The Lobos travel to Flagstaff to play Coconino on August 29. This is the first time since 1996 that the Lobos and Panthers will play. The teams were scheduled to play in 2021 before the game was canceled by Coconino. The all-time record is 11-12 in favor of Coconino.

Game 2. The Lobos will host ALA West Foothills on September 5. This will be the first meeting between the two programs. This is ALA’s first year in 4A after successfully petitioning to move up conferences. The Guardians made it to the 3A championship game last year before falling to Pusch Ridge. ALA West Foothills is located in Waddell.

Game 3. Snowflake will again travel to Prescott Valley when they play Bradshaw Mountain on September 12. This is the 4^th year in a row that the two squads meet. The Lobos have the edge in the all-time record with 4 wins and 2 losses.

Game 4. The Lobos will then host Catalina Foothills High School on September 19. Catalina Foothills is located just north of Tucson. Opened, in 1992, this will be the first matchup between the two programs.

Game 5. Although no longer in the same region, the Lobos will travel to Tempe and play at Marcos de Niza on September 26. Snowflake is 2-0 against the Padres.

Game 6. Snowflake will again travel to the Valley on October 3 to play Poston Butte High School. The Broncos are located in San Tan Valley. Snowflake is 3-0 against Poston Butte all-time.

Game 7. The Lobos host Combs Coyotes on October 10. Snowflake played Combs once before in 2014 where the Lobos were victorious. Combs High School is located in San Tan Valley and opened in 2009.

Game 8. The Lobos play at Eastmark on October 17. The Lobos are 1-1 all-time against Eastmark.

Game 9. Snowflake plays at home on October 24 against Mesquite High School. This will be the first matchup for these two schools. Mesquite is located in Gilbert. The Wildcats won the 4A championship in 2019 and 2020 before being elevated to 5A and then returning to 4A.

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Game 10. Snowflake will finish the season hosting Arcadia. The Lobos are 2-1 against the Titans. They split games in 1959 and 1960 and then the Lobos beat them in the playoffs in 2022. Part of the Scottsdale Unified School District, Arcadia is located in East Phoenix off of Indian School Road and 48^th Street.

The Lobos will not play any traditional 3A East rivals this year. Also, the Lobos will not play any 5A teams this year. All their opponents are in 4A. The 4A season appears to wrap up the regular season a week earlier this year with no bye week scheduled. 4A voted to not participate in the Open tournament last year which is true for this year too.

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This year, Snowflake High School turns 100 years old. During the past 100 years the school boundaries have shrunk as Navajo County has grown. Initially, Snowflake Union High School encompassed all southern Navajo County when the public high school district was formed in 1924. 

By the mid 1960’s, students from Show Low, as the farthest south community, were still going to Snowflake High School.

In 1965, the Citizen’s Growth Committee was appointed by the school board to study the projected growth and future needs of Snowflake High School. A feasibility study was completed to determine the need for an additional high school in Show Low. The study looked at student enrollments in the elementary school districts (k-8) within Snowflake High School’s footprint.

After the 1966 study, the high school district purchased 25 acres of land in Show Low in contemplation of a second high school. The purchase was possible because the voters approved a bond to purchase the land. The bond also approved a new cafeteria and auditorium to be built at Snowflake High School.

A second feasibility study was completed in 1970 due to increased enrollment. A threshold of two consecutive years of 100 students or more from the proposed Show Low High School was met and the voters once again went to the polls to determine whether to build another high school. Snowflake and Taylor opposed the measure but Show Low’s vote won the day and a tax was implemented to create Show Low High School.

The high school in Show Low opened for classes in the fall of 1972. Freshman and sophomore students enrolled in the new high school. The upperclassmen continued to attend Snowflake. Snowflake’s assistant principal, Monty Harris, was appointed to open the new Show Low High School.

In 1974, a proposal was made to reorganize the school districts. The Union High School District, along with Snowflake-Taylor, Show Low, and Sitgreaves Elementary school districts were involved. The voters approved a measure to create two unified school districts. Snowflake, Taylor, Heber, and Overgaard made up the new Snowflake Unified School District. Show Low, Pinedale, Clay Springs and White Mountain Lake were part of the new Show Low Unified School District.

Snowflake High School lost even more students when Heber and Overgaard formed their own high school in 1988. Snowflake superintendent, Larry Brewer, accepted a position to be the new Heber/Overgaard superintendent. Monty Harris returned to Snowflake from being principal at Show Low High School to be the new Snowflake superintendent.

As Snowflake High School celebrates its 100^th anniversary this year, the school has had a large impact on the growth and development of Southern Navajo County. Even though Snowflake High School’s boundaries are not as large as before, the population growth in Snowflake and Taylor has kept the school growing. For all the alumni of Snowflake High School – Once a Lobo, Always a Lobo!

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For many Snowflake High School alumni, the Peterson building housed the school library on the main floor and classrooms on the top floor and basement.

The Peterson building, commonly referred to as the Academy Building, is named after Joseph Peterson. Peterson contributed significantly to Snowflake High School and the school’s predecessor, the Snowflake Stake Academy. He “guided the Academy from a hit-or-miss sometimes program to a fully accredited four year college prep high school.”1

He first came to Snowflake in 1898 from Utah after receiving a church calling to take over the struggling school. Peterson had a few stints being the principal and teacher at the new school. While teaching, Peterson went to University of California at Berkeley to pursue a degree in anthropology. He participated in several digs in California. After he quit college and returned to teach in Snowflake, he was asked to continue archaeological digs in Arizona for his professor from his time at UC Berkeley. Many of his discoveries are catalogued at the Hearst Museum of Anthropology in Berkeley.2

Looking to change careers, Peterson moved south to homestead in present day Lakeside. He suggested naming the new community Lakeside after the new lake dammed by the Show Low Irrigation Company and the name stuck. Peterson and his family were one of the first familes to settle Lakeside. While homesteading in Lakeside, Peterson served in the Arizona Territorial Legislation. Peterson returned to Snowflake to teach in 1909 until 1914.

Peterson was elected as the Navajo County Superintendent of Schools in 1914. He served in that capacity until 1920. During this time, he moved to the county seat, Holbrook. In 1919, his wife, Amanda Andelin, passed away from typhoid fever.

In 1922, Peterson served as a Navajo County Supervisor on the Board of Supervisors. Peterson eventually remarried in 1924 to Lydia Jane Savage Smith, a widow with two children. That year he also returned to Snowflake High School while the school transitioned from a private religious school to a public school. Peterson taught for 16 more years. He taught English and helped produce school plays, many that were performed in one of the natural large geological holes called the Sinks northwest of Snowflake.

Peterson retired in 1939 and died in 1943 of cancer. He spent 4 decades in public service for Navajo County from school teacher and principal, town settler, legislature, county supervisor, and county school superintendent. Peterson's legacy and impact can still be felt today in Snowflake and the surrounding communities.

Peterson’s daughter, Leora said that her father “felt himself a failure because he never made money sufficient for the comforts he wished for his family. Actually, he left a legacy that money could not buy. His influence for good, service rendered, the example he set of honesty and integrity all live in the hearts of those still living who knew him. He was a man for all seasons.”3

3

Schuck, Leora Peterson “Joseph Peterson”, 1978

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The Snowflake Lobos are set to play their 3^rd year in the 4A Conference. Last year, the Lobos entered as the 14 seed in the championship tournament after going 7-3 in the regular season. They lost in the first round to the 3 seed Mica Mountain. Their 2024 season will have the same opponents as last year only that the locations will be opposite. The Lobos play in the East Sky region. Their region includes Apache Junction, Eastmark, Marcos de Niza, and Poston Butte. In addition to their regional games, the Lobos have games against Bradshaw Mountain, Cactus, Gilbert, Seton Catholic, Show Low and Sierra Linda.

Game 1. After two years in a row playing on the road at Bradshaw Mountain, the Lobos will host the Bears to start the season on August 30. The teams split the series the last two years.

Game 2. The Lobos will host Cactus High School on September 6. This will be the third meeting between the two programs. Cactus, a 5A school, won close games each of the last two years against the Lobos.

Game 3. Snowflake will continue its rivalry with Show Low when the Lobos will travel to play Show Low on September 13. The all-time record between Snowflake and Show Low favors Snowflake 33-20. The rivalry started in 1974 after Show Low High School was opened. Prior to then, Show Low students attended Snowflake High School. 

Game 4. The Lobos will have a bye week and then host Gilbert High School on September 27. The Tigers will be the second 5A school on the Lobos schedule this year. This is the 2^nd meeting between the two programs after last year’s match which the Lobos won.

Game 5. The Lobos will travel to Chandler to play Seton Catholic on October 4. The Lobos have an all-time record of 5-2 against the Sentinels.

Game 6. Snowflake will again travel to the Valley on October 11 to play Poston Butte High School. The Broncos are located in San Tan Valley. Snowflake is 2-0 against Poston Butte all time.

Game 7. For the 3^rd week in a row, the Lobos will travel to the Valley when they play Marcos de Niza on October 18. Marcos de Niza is located in Tempe. Snowflake won the game last year against Marcos de Niza, the only matchup ever between the two programs.

Game 8. After 3 weeks on the road, the Lobos will play at home when they host Eastmark on October 25. Eastmark defeated Snowflake last year.

Game 9. Snowflake will finally host Apache Junction when they travel to Snowflake on November 1. The squads split the contest in the previous two years, both in Apache Junction.

Game 10. Snowflake will finish the season travelling to Tolleson to play Sierra Linda on November 8. Snowflake won last year’s game, the only time the two programs have played each other. 

This will be Coach Kay Solomon’s 10^th season as the head coach. He is the winningest coach in Lobo history with 87 total wins thus far.

The Lobos have several players returning that were recognized last year for all-conference and all-region awards. Offensive Lineman Ethan Christensen was recognized as first team all-conference and all-region. Linebacker Aaden Coor was recognized as honorable mention for all-conference and first team all-region. Returning players that received all-region recognition include Brent White, Jo Jo Lerma, Kanton Turley, Cody Flake, Ryker Brimhall, Karter Raban, Andrew Bently, Brock Bjornn, Sam Brown, and Gunnar Richards.

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As Snowflake High continued to grow in enrollment, more space was needed. During the depression, the school applied for different aid projects and obtained two grants. One came from the Work Progress Administration to quarry the rock, and another from the Public Works Administration to build an additional building at the high school. The building was completed in 1938. It was subsequently renamed Fish Hall or Fish Building in 1946, after longtime high school principal, Silas L Fish, retired. Who was Silas L Fish?

Silas Fish was born on January 17, 1880, to Joseph Fish and Adelaide Margaret Smith, less than two years after Snowflake was founded. The young family had only arrived the year previous to their new community before Silas was born. Joseph Fish became a well-known historian, politician, and judge in Arizona.

Save for a short period of time in Woodruff and Pinedale, Silas Fish spent his youth in Snowflake. He attended elementary school in Snowflake and graduated with his 8^th grade diploma in 1898 at the age of 18. During this time in Snowflake, it was difficult to hire and retain qualified teachers. It took more time than normal for Fish to obtain his primary education.

The same year of Silas’s graduation, Snowflake Stake Academy hired Joseph Peterson to oversee the school. Peterson inspired Fish to continue with his education. In 1899, another educator, Allen Frost, held a specialty class for those looking to get their teaching certificate. Fish was further interested to take the course because the young woman he liked, Maggie Miller, was going to be in the class too. Fish took the class and began his teaching career. Fish first taught in Alpine, Arizona for one school year. Fish, however, wanted to get his high school diploma and a college degree.

In the fall of 1900, Fish went to Provo, Utah to enroll to obtain his high school diploma and college degree. While there, he was called on a mission for his church. He spent the next 4 years in Samoa as a Mormon missionary. Upon his return from his mission, Fish noted that he had turned 25 years old and did not have a high school diploma. He was resolved to not give up.

Fish wanted to continue his education but he also wanted to get married to Maggie Miller. With Maggie’s willingness to support Fish while in school, they got married and he enrolled at the Northern Arizona Normal School (now known as Northern Arizona University). They moved to Flagstaff and Fish was finally able to continue his education. While there, he was the oldest student and would get odd jobs to make ends meet. Maggie was soon pregnant but unfortunately died in child birth. Fish was stunned at her death. To occupy his grief, he pursued his education with more zeal. He attended year-round, going to winter and summer school, and graduated with his high school diploma in August 1908. He quickly accepted a job as the 5^th and 6^th grade teacher in Snowflake for the 1908-09 school year.    

From 1909 to 1914, Fish was the principal of the elementary school in Snowflake and taught the 7^th and 8^th grade classes. In November 1909, he was called as the Bishop of the Snowflake Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During the summer of 1910, he enrolled for a summer course at the University of Utah to help with his principal responsibilities. While there, he ran into a pupil he had in Alpine a decade earlier who was also taking the course. Pearl Noble was 17 and Silas, 19 when he had been her teacher in Alpine. When he met Pearl during that summer course in Utah, Pearl was teaching at the Saint John’s Arizona Stake Academy. Now, a widower and ten years later, the two were reacquainted and a courtship and marriage happened that summer before the two returned to Arizona.  

In 1914, he became an instructor at the Snowflake Stake Academy. In 1916, Fish wanted to get his college degree. He was released from his calling as Bishop and went to Brigham Young University to obtain his degree. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree on June 1, 1917.

He taught a year at the Snowflake Elementary School for the 1918-19 school year. He then became the principal of the Snowflake Stake Academy in 1919. Fish was offered this position previously, but he insisted on getting his master’s degree before accepting it. Although he still didn’t have his master’s degree, this time when the position was offered, Fish accepted it. When the school transitioned from a private religious school into a public high school in 1924, he was retained as the principal. Fish was the principal for the high school for 27 years. He continued his education by attending the University of California Berkley during summer semesters while continuing his duties as principal each school year. He spent 7 of the next 11 summers attending school in California before obtaining his master’s degree. He graduated from Cal Berkley in December 1931.

During the depression, wages were cut at the high school. Fish was instrumental in getting the aid to build the additional building at the high school. The new edifice was completed in 1938. Fish’s second wife, Pearl, passed away with cancer that same year, leaving Fish a widower twice over. Fish retired in 1946 and moved to Phoenix. After Fish left the high school, the building was renamed Fish Hall or Fish Building and has kept that name.

Fish touched the lives of many students that were educated at Snowflake High School. He left more than just the name of a building; he left a legacy of lifelong learning.

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At the end of the 1921-22 school year, news broke that the Snowflake Academy would close its doors two years later, after the 1923-24 school year. It was hoped, but not certain that the school would continue as a public high school. At that time, the only feasible way to have a public high school was if a proposed high school district had at least 200 pupils or an assessed tax valuation of more than $250,000. The proposed Snowflake High School boundaries had neither. At that time, the only public high schools in Navajo County were Winslow and Holbrook. Neither of them had 200 students but they had high property tax valuations due to the railroad.

The proposed Snowflake Union High School would have a vast area that would fill the entire southern part of Navajo County all the way to White River. This area, however, did not have an assessed valuation more than the $250,000 required. The proposed high school district needed more valuable land in its boundary. Their idea to reach that value was to take a two mile stretch of the railroad line just west of Joseph City known as Manilla. This area would take a portion of Holbrook High School District. Holbrook agreed to relinquish it so long as the new high school was actually created. This 2-mile stretch and the valuation of the railroad property would give the new school district the tax valuation needed to open a high school. This area would be known as the Manilla Strip and was part of the high school district for many years.

The Snowflake Herald ran a headline on February 22, 1924 that stated, “Union High School Only Chance for High School.” The newspaper certainly was for the proposed Union High School. It urged voters with the following words, “If you want a high school, work for it, talk for it, vote for it, get your neighbors to the polls and be sure he is converted to vote right”.

The county board of supervisors agreed to include the Manilla Strip for the proposed Union High School. Then it was turned over to the voters to determine whether to create the Union High School District in order to open a new public high school. The vote went out and it was approved overwhelmingly, 484 in favor and 26 opposed to creating the Union High School District.

The next issue that arose was where to put the new high school. The pros to have the high school in Snowflake included that the Snowflake Stake (owner of the Snowflake Academy) offered to lease the existing high school to the school district for 99 years for merely upkeep. Other pros included having classes immediately because the facilities already existed, and keeping taxes low by not constructing a new high school. The cons to the Snowflake location included that it was not centrally located for the most southern areas of Navajo County including White River, Fort Apache Pinetop, and Lakeside. The Herald ran a headline, “If School Is Located Here No Bonding Is Necessary”.

At a later vote on March 15, 1924, the residents of the new Union High School District voted to keep the high school in Snowflake. Other options on the ballot were to place the high school in Taylor or Show Low. The Snowflake location edged out Taylor and Show Low.

The Snowflake Stake Academy closed its doors on May 9, 2024, graduating 15 students in their final year as a private religious school. The new Union High School District Board got to work, setting up transportation arrangements for students, retaining most of the Academy teachers, and setting out to visit each elementary district within the high school district. For those underclassmen students returning, their education continued as if there was no transition from a private to a public school.

For many years, the high school went by Union High School or UHS. The school teams sported a big U on their jerseys. The Herald quipped, “Oh you U. Hi Lobos,” after UHS defeated Eastern Arizona College in a basketball game.

Snowflake Union High School commenced in the fall of 1924. This summer, Snowflake High School is celebrating their centennial anniversary of being a public school. The boundaries for the high school have shrunk significantly over the years, but Snowflake High School continues to educate and prepare students for a productive and fulfilling life. The school has many notable alumni, which will continue to grow each year. Alumni are invited to return for the 100^th Anniversary the weekend of Pioneer Day this July. To learn more and to register go to https://www.lobo100yrreunion.com.

Here is to many more years of Snowflake High. Oh you U. Hi Lobos!

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Even before Snowflake High School transitioned from a private church school in 1924 to a public school and even before their mascot was a lobo, the color blue has been a prominent staple. Snowflake High School had its beginning in 1888. Within 10 years of the community of Snowflake’s founding in 1878, the area desired higher education for its youth. Spearheaded by the Snowflake Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the school was formed in the fall of 1888 and classes began in January 1889.

In addition to the color blue, the color buff was a mainstay for the high school. Buff is a light yellowish-brown shade named after the color of buffalo leather. Buff and Blue were the colors of Snowflake Stake Academy (SSA), the predecessor to Snowflake High School.

Buff and Blue were colors worn by George Washington and the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Buff was a standard color of the U.S. Military up until the Civil War. George Washington University in Washington D.C. utilizes buff and blue as their school’s colors to this day. Although it is unknown whether Snowflake adopted these colors because of their role in American history, it seems likely.

The student-ran school newspaper was known as “Buff and Blue”. The school song was also called “Buff and Blue”. The yearbook (first edition published in 19171) was also called “Buff and Blue”. Needless to say, Snowflake High was proud of their school colors.

Although buff was replaced by white, Snowflake High School continues to bleed blue. The school is celebrating its 100th anniversary as a public high school this summer. To learn more or to participate please go to www.lobo100yrreunion.com to register and see the activities planned.

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1

Buff and blue. Snowflake Ariz: Snowflake Stake Academy, 1917, https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/1863a4ef-5855-4f89-b2f3-c215c5d63597/0/78?lang=eng (accessed: February 5, 2024)

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Although secondary school education existed in Snowflake since 1888, the high school now known as Snowflake High School has gone by several names. Originally a religious school sponsored by the local congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Church discontinued their sponsorship after the spring semester of 1924.  From 1888 to 1924 the school was known as the Snowflake Stake Academy or S.S.A. For a short period, the Academy athletic teams went by the name Blue Devils.

The school was next known as Union High School. Union High School’s boundaries covered the southern half of Navajo County, and a small strip of land along the railroad line between Holbrook and Winslow. It covered Woodruff and every community south all the way to Whiteriver. There are now at least 5 public high schools within these old boundaries. It was called Union because several elementary school districts came together to form a high school.

The school was eventually referred to as Snowflake High School after other communities slowly got their own high schools.   

The UHS boys’ basketball team, in the winter season of 1925-26, helped secure the mascot name now known as the Lobos. The team had a tremendous season including securing a win over Eastern Arizona College (then known as Gila Junior College) and finishing the season winning the Northern Arizona Championship.

The season started with a game at Leupp, Arizona against an Indian School team. Inspired by that game, Jospeh Peterson, the well-known educator of Snowflake High, wrote a poem wherein he stated that the team wanted a name.

               “…These husky teams now want a name:

               If Antelope if timid still,

               Why not the Lobo on the hill?

               ‘I am a wolf.’ One did declare,

               ‘Swift, brave and strong and fleet and fair.’

               So let it be, ‘tis noble game

               U. Hi Lobos, a fitting name…”

From that game forward, the name Lobos stuck. News articles began referring to the Union High School athletic teams as the Lobos.

After the poem’s inspiring win, the Lobos travelled to Thatcher to take on the Gila Junior College. The team secured a win. The Snowflake Herald stated that, “The game ended 31-24 in our favor. The Gila College team is no high school and has been beaten but few times so it is about as great as victory as could be won to beat them on their own court. Oh you U. Hi Lobos.”

The team did suffer a defeat in a subsequent game against Gila College later in the year and a two-point loss to St Johns, the then reigning Northern Arizona champion. The Team, however, secured lopsided wins against Holbrook, St Johns and Round Valley later in the season.

The squad finished the season at the Northern Arizona Basketball Tournament by beating Winslow, then Clarkdale in their first two matches. The team matched up against Prescott in the semi-finals and narrowly won.  The Lobos met St Johns in the finals where they easily defeated them 28-14.

Their championship secured the Lobos the Silver Cup, the annual Northern Arizona Basketball Tournament cup awarded to the victorious team.

This memorable team that helped cement the name Lobos began a century old standard of success for all the athletic teams that followed at Snowflake High School. As the school celebrates its 100-year anniversary of being a public school next year, this early team taught all Lobos that followed what it means to be a lobo.

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The Snowflake Lobos boy soccer team will play in their first ever State Championship game on Saturday October 28 when they face off against Chino Valley at Westwood High School in Mesa.

The squad arrived at this point after they secured only their second ever regional championship earlier this year. The program’s first regional championship came in 2021. This year, the Lobos were perfect in region play going 6-0.

They entered the state tournament as the 3rd overall seed. In the quarterfinals, they hosted rival Blue Ridge Tuesday night, coming out victorious 3 to 1. The Lobos started slow, trailing at half 0-1. The second half, however, they found their groove and poured on 3 goals to advance to the semi-finals.

The semi match was hosted by Sedona High School Thursday evening. The Lobos came out strong and did not let off until the final whistle. The team was up 2-0 at half and finished the game winning 4-1. The team responded well after losing to Sedona during a regular season bout in August.

The championship game will be against number one ranked Chino Valley. This will be the 3rd matchup between Chino Valley and Snowflake this season. The teams split the previous games. The Lobos won 2-1 on August 22 and Chino won 3-1 during an invitational game hosted by Chino on September 23.

The game is at 6:15pm at Westwood High School on October 28. The game can be streamed on the NFHS Network. A community sendoff will take place Saturday morning at 9:45 am in front of the High School.

Good Luck, Lobos!

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The Snowflake Lobos football schedule was released today. This will mark the 2^nd year that the team will play in the 4A conference. The Lobos play in the East Sky region. Their region includes Apache Junction, Eastmark, Marcos de Niza, and Poston Butte. The region has a little different look with Benjamin Franklin and American Leadership Academy Gilbert moving conferences but gaining Marcos de Niza and Eastmark.

The region and ultimately the conference was won by American Leadership Academy Gilbert last year. The Arizona Interscholastic Association subsequently moved ALA up to 5A for football this season. The region doesn’t get any easier, however. Eastmark was moved up to 4A to the East Sky region after winning the 3A championship last year and Marcos de Niza slid over from the Desert Sky 4A region. Marco de Niza won their region last year.

In addition to their regional games, the Lobos have games against Bradshaw Mountain, Cactus, Gilbert, Seton Catholic, Show Low and Sierra Linda.

1.       The Lobos will start the season at Bradshaw Mountain on August 25. This will be two years in a row that Snowflake plays at Bradshaw Mountain. The Lobos won last year’s meeting 19-3. Bradshaw Mountain serves 1,700 students and is located in Prescott Valley and is part of the 4A Grand Canyon region. The Lobos overall record is 3-1 against Bradshaw Mountain. The Bears won their region and made it to the quarterfinals before losing to ALA last year. Established in 1976, Bradshaw Mountain has never won a football championship

2.       The Lobos will travel to Glendale on September 1 to meet Cactus High School in a rematch of last year’s game won by the Cobras in Snowflake 7-0. This will be the second meeting between the two programs. Cactus has a strong football program. They are a 5A school and were runners up in the 5A tournament last year. Cactus has 2 championships in 2005 and 2009. They have been runners up 7 times and made the open championship tournament in 2021.

3.       An old 3A east rivalry will be renewed as Show Low will visit the Lobos on September 8. Snowflake won last year’s contest in Show Low. That game had all the markings of a rivalry with a lot of turnovers. That game was also memorable due to it being temporarily postponed and partially played with a portion of the stadium lights going out which led to some crazy sequences. The all-time record between Snowflake and Show Low favors Snowflake 32-20. The rivalry started in 1974 after Show Low High School was opened. Prior to then, Show Low students attended Snowflake High School. 

4.       The Lobos will have a bye week and then travel to Gilbert to play Gilbert High School on September 22. The Tigers will be the second 5A school on the Lobos schedule this year and the first ever meeting between the two programs. Opened in 1918, Gilbert has a student enrollment of nearly 1,800 students. Gilbert has state titles in 1973, 1975, 1978 and 1985.

5.       The Lobos will host Seton Catholic on September 29. The Lobos hosted the Sentinels last year and won 35-6. The Lobos have an all-time record of 4-2 against the Sentinels. Seton Catholic has two championships occurring in 1997 and 2012.

6.       Poston Butte High School will travel to Snowflake on October 6. The Broncos are located in San Tan Valley and are part of the Florence Unified School District. The high school has nearly 2,100 students and opened in 2009. Snowflake won last year’s contest, the first meeting between the two schools.

7.       Marcos de Niza will travel to Snowflake on October 13. Marcos de Niza is part of the Tempe Union High School District. It opened in 1971 and has approximately 1,500 students enrolled. This will be the first meeting between the Padres and Lobos. The Padres have not won a championship but appeared twice in championship games in 2009 and 2015. Marcos entered last year’s tournament ranked number 3 but were upset by Thunderbird in the first round.

8.       The Lobos will travel to Mesa and play Eastmark on October 20. Eastmark High School is only in its infancy opening in 2019. Located in southeast Mesa and part of the Queen Creek Unified School District, Eastmark won the 3A conference championship last year. After their championship season, they were elevated to the 4A conference. Eastmark has a student population of nearly 1,900 students. Eastmark will have a new coach entering this season. Their coach, Scooter Molander, accepted the head coaching job at Desert Vista High School in Phoenix.

9.       Snowflake will play at Apache Junction on October 29. Apache Junction High School has approximately 1,000 students enrolled. Last year was the first ever meeting between the two programs. That contest was won by the Prospectors. Apache Junction has one football championship in 1975. The Prospectors are led by running back, Isaiah Savoie. Savoie rushed for 1,865 yards last season and he rushed for 136 yards in the game against the Lobos.

10.   A new foe this year is Sierra Linda. Snowflake is set to host the Bulldogs for the regular season finale on November 3. Sierra Linda is part of the Tolleson Union School District. It opened up in 2008 and has more than 1,500 students. 

This will be Coach Kay Solomon’s 9^th season as the head coach. He surpassed Neil Westover (74 wins) to be the winningest coach in Lobo history last year with 80 total wins thus far.

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One year after the Boys soccer team won their first regional championship, the Lady Lobo soccer squad has captured its first regional title in program history and have secured a spot in the semi-final state championship bracket to be played on Thursday. Their opponent will be determined after the completion of a play-in game that is occurring on Tuesday.

Anna Brubaker, head coach for the past 13 years, led the team to an unbeaten regional play record of 4-0-1. Their overall record in conference was 8-2-2. Coach Brubaker said the following about her team: “All in all, we have had a great group of girls this season and they continually want to improve and do better then their last game”. Brubaker is aided by JV Coach Larry Yarn, Goalie Coach Keith Pember and Assistant Coach Angela Brooks.

Roster:

• Senior #1 Saydie Hatch

• Freshman #2 Jayci Ballard

• Freshman #3 Tatum Westover

• Junior #4 Haddli Nichols

• Freshman #5 Rebecca Ballard

• Freshman #6 Brittyn Butler

• Senior #7 Kail Westover

• Junior #8 Lanirooks

• Sophomore #9 Ellie Huish

• Senior #10 April Goss

• Junior #11 Tacie Kay

• Freshman #12 Amy Cardon

• Sophomore #13 Hope Marx

• Junior #14 Kloey Reidhead

• Junior #15 Kamy Flake

• Junior #16 Katie Lewis

• Sophomore #17 Kinzie Martin

• Sophomore #18 Bella Gonzales

• Freshman #19 Klaire Reidhead

• Sophomore #20 Nicole Hipps

• Freshman #21 Katlynn LaDuke

Sophomore, Nichole Hipps leads the team with 32 goals and 5 assists. Leading the defense are Juniors Tacie Kay with 42 steals and Haddli Nichols with steals. Goal keeper, Ellie Huish, in only her second year playing, has 128 saves with 36 goals against.

The Herald wishes the team the best for their state tournament.

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For Taylor, four seats or the seven seats were being filled. Six residents made the ballot. Sherry Cosper led all candidates with 438 votes. Rounding out the three other successful candidates were Bill Baldwin, Jason Brubaker, and Lynn Dewitt. These four will take their seats on the counsel in January. Cosper, Baldwin, and Brubaker are all incumbents. The two individuals that were not elected are Jack Babb and April Williams.

In Snowflake, Byron Lewis defeated Bob Flake 583 to 466 to be the next Mayor. Both men were on the Snowflake Town Council earlier this year and resigned to run for Mayor. The current Mayor, Lynn Johnson, did not seek reelection.

In addition to the mayor being elected, three Snowflake residents ran for two open council seats. Incumbents Greg Brimhall and Cory Johnson defeated Lauri Wong to retain their seats.

The town councils will need to canvass and certify the vote to make it official. These results are based off numbers provided by Navajo County. For several years now, the county has ran the election for the towns.

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