103.9 KNZA Broadcast - Holton at Hayden - click here to listen

It was a tale of two halves in the battle of Wildcats Friday night in Topeka.  Leading 13-7 at halftime, Holton managed only 48 total yards in the second half with 33 coming on a pass play from Mason Strader to Richard Aguirre, and that was the only first down for the visiting Wildcats on six possessions following halftime.  After being stopped on four empty trips in the redzone, Hayden scored 20 points on three straight second half drives to claim the district title with a 27-13 victory. 

Both teams looked impressive on offense and scored on opening drives as Holton went 80 yards in seven plays and AJ Haussler ran a two yard touchdown.  Hayden answered in six plays covering 57 yards as Desmond Parnell got around the corner on a 12-yard score to tie the game at 7-7 less than five minutes in.  It looks like both teams would go three-and-out on their second drive, but Hayden converted a fake punt near mid-field and marched to the Holton one-yard-line before being stopped on downs.  Hayden forced one of their six three-and-outs and got the ball back at the Holton 35, but five plays later threw an interception in the endzone as Zane Moylan picked off his third pass of the season.  Holton got a 55 yard run from Strader and Dylan Aeschliman plunged in from a yard out to put Holton back ahead 13-7 following a blocked PAT.  Hayden again drove into the redzone late first half but turned the ball over on downs after a sack by Dominic Hall. 

The second half belonged to Hayden as Brent Peavler ran in a three yard score and then Sampson Huston found Deshawn Hanika, who broke a tackle and sprinted 85 yards for a touchdown to make it 21-13 at the end of the third quarter.  Huston to Hanika on a 14-yard TD strike was the only score in the fourth quarter as Hayden improved to 4-4 with their third straight win against Holton.  Huston was 9 of 17 for 247 yards passing and Hanika caught seven balls for 225 yards.  Parnell had 50 yards rushing while Peavler added 48 and Brandon VanBecelaere added 46 yards for Hayden. 

Holton had 247 yards of total offense as Aeschliman led the way with 81 yards, Strader had 52, Haussler added 49 and Jayger Carson registered 25 yards.  Holton's fell to 5-3 after winning their previous four games and must beat Santa Fe Trail at home Thursday night to qualify for the playoffs for a 20th straight season.  Sophomore Noah Woltje was the Denison State Bank "Lineman of the Game" for a solid performance on the defense line as Holton held the Hayden ground game in check.  Hanika was the Citizens State Bank and Trust Company "Player to Bank On" with a huge senior night performance in the passing game that was the difference for Hayden.