Maize South 20, Holton 13

After falling by one point in overtime to start the season, Holton came out on fire in week two Friday night after a long trip to Maize South.  The Wildcats build a 13-0 first quarter lead as Mason Barta capped a 14 play, 80 yard opening drive with a three-yard touchdown run.  When Holton held on downs to get the ball back, the first play on the second drive saw Barta rip a run up the middle and break tackles downfield for a 69 yard touchdown jaunt.  

However, Maize South used their athleticism and big play potential to get quickly back in the game.  A 25 yard pass from MVP quarterback, Korie Frausto to Jordan Maxson, and a Frausto one yard TD run (following a 40 yard strike to Brett Parke) tied the game at 13 just seconds into the second quarter.  The second drive lasted only three plays, set up by Holton starting at their own 14 yard line and getting just one first down before giving it back to the Mavericks on a 13 yard punt. Three straight turnovers finished out the first half and both teams had an opportunity in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats were stopped at the one yard line on a fourth and goal play from the three to start the final period.  Maize South got the ball in the endzone on a four run yard by Jacob Perez with 5:16 remaining to take their first led and clinch the win, avenging a 40-21 defeat at Holton last year.    

Holton's second half drive went 18 plays and 77 yards before coming up just short, but the Cats outgained their opponent for the second straight game, won the turnover battle 3 to 1 and cut down the penalties to only four.  Holton gained 256 of their 380 yards in the first half, but was 0-4 passing.  The Wildcats also had two of their three defensive takeaways in the redzone as Bryson Patch and Justin Pool picked off passes in the second quarter, and Patch snared his second INT inside the 10 yard line to deny Maize South on their 12 play drive in the third quarter.  Patch earned "Player to Bank On" honors from the Citizens State Bank and Trust Company in Hiawatha.  

Offensively, Barta led the ground attack with 125 yards on 14 carries and the two early Holton scores. Pool added 86 yards on 15 carries and Spencer Baum had 14 totes for 71 yards.  Justin Rieschick and Will Wright each had more than 40 yards rushing as well before Holton fell to 0-2 on the season.  The Wildcats open Big 7 play and defense on their seven straight League titles in week three at Sabetha.    

Frausto was 7 of 14 passing for 99 yards for Maize South and added 79 yards rushing, while Perez led the Mavericks with 158 yards on 22 carries.