Holton 36, Santa Fe Tral 24

With a playoff spot on the line, both the Holton and Santa Fe Trail offenses seemed unstoppable combining for 520 total yards in the first half.  However, the Wildcat defense made the fourth down plays to end both Charger possessions in the second half and held the ball for the final 9:12 of the game to secure the 36-24 District victory.  In a game that featured not one penalty flag, Holton was able to overcome one first half fumble and ride senior runningback Spencer Baum, who ran for 256 yards on 19 carries and scored his fourth touchdown of the game to make it 36-24 midway through the third period.

Both teams scored on their first three drives of the game, but Santa Fe Trail could not convert any of the two-point conversions and Holton was successful with a pair of Baum runs to hold a 22-18 advantage late in the first half.  The Wildcats then lost the lead for the only time after a fumble, as the Chargers took the 47 yard short field and scored on a Will Herron eight-yard-run for a 24-22 lead with just 1:10 before halftime.  Yet, Holton responded in four quick plays, including runs of 19 and 30 yards by Baum before he scored on a five-yard run to put the Cats ahead 28-24 at intermission.  

Scoring wasn't exactly easy for Santa Fe Trail, who had Carter Greenfield barely reach the endzone on a fourth down and four play to cap the opening Charger drive and then on a fourth and 13 play the next trip, Bryce Erickson found Jaden Bone on a 19-yard TD pass after the senior duo had earlier hooked up to convert a fourth down and seven to keep the same drive alive.  The Chargers then converted their next six opportunities on third down plays to keep up with the Wildcats heading into the second half.  But, Holton made some big defensive plays, especially Tyler Price, Dylan Aeschliman and AJ Haussler, to stop Trail on downs at the 42 and 8 yard line to preserve the win.  The first stop followed an intelligent timeout by Coach Brooks Barta to prepare the defense before a fourth down and five play that changed the game and allowed the Cats to take a two possession lead.    

Price had his second big rushing game with 98 yards on 15 carries as fullback, with Parker Zeller moving to center to replace the injured Jesse Lynch.  Baum stole the show and added nearly 10 tackles to complete his "Player to Bank On" performance sponsored by the Citizens State Bank and Trust Company in Hiawatha.  Zeller, who moved from fullback to new jersey 55 at the center spot was perfect snapping in the pistol all night and earned "Lineman of the Game" honors from the Denison State Banks.  Holton (5-4) embarks on a 19th straight playoff campaign with a road game (likely at Baldwin) next Friday night.

Santa Fe Trail ends their season 7-2 after starting 6-0 to capture the Pioneer Conference title, but be denied a third consecutive post season run.  Peyton Newton had 137 of his 174 rushing yards in the first half totaling 23 carries while Herron added 113 yards on 20 totes and they combined for all but about 50 yards total of the Santa Fe Trail offense.  Newton finished the season with almost 1,700 yards rushing, but the Chargers are now 0-5 against Holton, with the previous losses coming in Big 7 play between 2010-2013.