103.9 KNZA Broadcast - Santa Fe Trail at Holton - click here to listen

For the second straight week, Holton started a district game with an impressive scoring drive.  However, against Santa Fe Trail, in a must win to make the playoffs, the Wildcats dominated the third quarter and never gave up the lead in a 21-6 home victory.  Leading 7-6 at halftime, Holton won the third quarter 14-0 and had two takeaways before holding the ball the final eight minutes of the game to improve to 6-3 and clinch their 20th consecutive post-season appearance. 

On a brisk night, Holton churned out 328 yards rushing and outgained the Chargers 194-38 in the second half.  Dylan Aeschliman capped the opening 15-play, 73-yard-drive with a one yard TD run and Holton led 7-0.  They then forced and three and out and was driving for another score when the fumbled at the Charger 33-yard-line.  Santa Fe Trail got momentum with a couple long reverse runs by Angel Esparza who scored on a five-yard run early in the second quarter.  The two-point conversion was no good and Holton carried the 7-6 lead into the second half after missing a field goal, but stopping the Chargers on fourth down by inches at the seven yard line just before halftime. 

Holton dominated the third quarter after getting another turnover on downs and after the first four plays following intermission, the Cats wouldn’t even allow a first down.  Mason Strader gave Holton breathing room with a gutsy four-yard TD run on fourth and goal with 2:59 remaining in period three then two plays later Kyler Tannahill recovered a Charger fumble and Holton took advantage of a short 32-yard-field before Aeschliman added another one-yard touchdown dive to make it 21-6 in the final minute of the quarter.  

Aeschliman was again the stud on defense and went over 100 tackles for a third straight season as one of the top tacklers in all 4A this season.  He added 77 yards and a pair of scores on a career high 23 carries to earn Citizens State Bank and Trust Company “Player to Bank On” honors.  "Holton has been in the playoffs ever year since before I was born, we expect that and Coach Barta said all week we needed a purpose.  Tonight we figured out our purpose and put together a great win," Aeschliman said after the game.  "I've enjoyed being a leader in my third year as a starter and we have had some younger guys really step up.  Playoff weather, we just need to keep practicing hard and we can keep winning.  It means a lot to us and the coaches have done a great job helping us get it right."    

Tannahill was the Denison State Bank “Lineman of the Game” with several tackles and a fumble recovery, plus a couple batted down passes and key blocks.  AJ Haussler led Holton with 120 yards on 16 carries and Jackson Martin added 70 yards on 12 totes.  Holton, led by eight seniors, will be on the road to start the playoffs Thursday at Baldwin or Prairie View next week. 

Santa Fe Trail ends the year 6-3 as Will Herren finished with 71 yards on 19 carries and 1,200 plus rushing for his junior season.  Esparza added 50 yards on a score and caught the only completed pass of the night for three yards.