Frontenac Raiders (10-0) at Holton Wildcats (6-4)

For the second straight season, Holton and Frontenac will collide in a second round playoff matchup tonight in Class 4A Division Two.  Last year, the Wildcats won 22-7 at Frontenac on way to a runner-up finish in the State Championship.  This year, Frontenac comes to Holton as the only unbeaten team in the bracket and a #1 ranking in their fifth straight playoff appearance under Coach Mark Smith (38-14).  The Wildcats hope to continue their 19th consecutive post season run and haven’t lost a home playoff game since a 10-3 setback against Louisburg in 2007 (12 straight home playoff wins).  

The Raiders won the CNC League this year and beat five playoff teams, including Girard and Colgan, who are still alive.  Returning more than six starters on both sides of the football, Frontenac has pitched four shutouts and not allowed more than 14 points in any game besides their closest win, which was a 21-20 victory at Columbus in a week seven undefeated matchup that decided the League and District Titles.  The Raiders rolled past Iola last week 56-14 and bumped their season scoring average up to 45 points per game.  Returning senior quarterback Brandon Mlekus has completed 66 percent of his passes for 1,049 yards with 15 touchdowns and only one interception.  He has also ran for 1,070 yards and 16 more scores.  Fellow senior runninbacks, Austin Madl and Cadin Bolinger have combined for 985 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns while a trio of other seniors all have more than 200 yards receiving in: Dylan Flora, Isaac Bicknell and Ryan Long.  With 10 of 11 starters on offense being seniors for the Raiders they have just five turnovers this season, but they start five juniors on an opportunistic defense that has 22 takeaways.

After starting the year 0-3 with tight losses by a total of 14 points, Holton has won six of their last seven and had a lead in every game this year under 21st year Coach Brooks Barta (208-40).  The Wildcat wishbone has produced 380 yards on the ground per game this year, led by seniors Spencer Baum (1,245) and Miles McClintock-Stozier (1,054).  Senior fullback, Tyler Price has come on very strong the past few weeks and added 516 yards rushing for the season.  After 15 total fumbles in the regular season, the Cats did not turn the ball over last Thursday in a 20-14 victory at Baldwin.  Holton did put together one of the best defensive showings of the year as they held Baldwin to under 180 total yards and 55 came off a fourth quarter run by quarterback, Luke Laskowski.  The Wildcats defense has 18 takeaways and is led by linebackers Dylan Aeschliman (95 tackles), AJ Haussler (75 tackles) and Parker Zeller (65 tackles).  Seniors Brandon Lehnherr and Tel Wittmer have paved the way on both sides across the line of scrimmage.  

In special teams, Holton hasn’t made a PAT kick since week seven, while returner Trey Harris has made 55 of 63 kicks for 87 percent for Frontenac. It should be a competitive and low scoring game and come down to mistakes and who makes the plays on third and fourth down situations.  The winner will advance to Sub-State to face either Topeka Hayden or Girard.    

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