The Holton Wildcats hosted the Hayden Wildcats on Friday night in a battle of two of the best teams in Class 3A with a District Title on the line. 

Holton would use a dominant rushing attack and stout defensive performance to beat Hayden 37-13 to win their sixth straight game and capture the 3A District 4 Title. 

Hayden's best play of the game was on the opening kickoff as Finn Dunshee took it 92 yards for a touchdown to give Hayden an early 7-0 lead. 

Hayden's lone offensive touchdown was in the fourth quarter once the game was well out of hand. Hayden managed a total of 5 first downs the entire game while Holton had 28. 

Garyson Booth provided all the scoring for Holton as he scored all five touchdowns. Four on the ground and one through the air as Matt Lierz completed Holton's only pass play of the night for a 34-yard touchdown on 3rd down and 18.

Holton would outscore Hayden 13-7 in the first quarter and would add a late 33-yard field goal to take a 24-7 halftime lead which was more than enough to secure the win. 

Holton scored two touchdowns on their first two drives of the second half to extend the lead and wasn't stopped all night before ending the game with more than an eight minute drive by taking a knee at the Hayden three-yard-line.

Holton ran 73 plays in the game compared to Hayden's 23 and dominated the time of possession stat. 

Holton outgained Hayden 508-132 in total yards and dominated in rushing yards 474-58. 

Booth finished the game with 24 carries and 175 yards with the five total touchdowns. Jace Boswell also provided a big night with 21 carries and a career high 188 yards. 

It was the first meeting between Holton and Hayden since 2018. Hayden had won four straight in the series before Holton's win on Friday night. It was Holton's first win over Hayden since 2013. 

Entering the game, K-Preps had Hayden ranked #2 and Holton #3 in Class 3A while KSHSAA Covered had Holton ranked #2 and Holton #4. 

Andale is the clear cut number one team in Class 3A and beat Cheney 32-0 to win their 45th straight game. Andale is also looking for their fourth straight State Title. 

Both Holton and Hayden are now 6-1 overall with Holton playing at Jefferson West in the regular season finale while Hayden will play at Hiawatha.

Holton captures the 3A District 4 Title with the win and secures multiple home games in the first couple rounds of the playoffs.