Holton 21, Hiawatha 13

Holton clinched their 29th straight post-season appearance and beat Hiawatha for the 24th straight time. However, senior night for the Wildcats in their last home game of the year didn't come easy in their closest game against the Redhawks since 2013. The game turned late in the first quarter with Holton leading 7-0. Hiawatha was driving for a potential tie when the fumbled the ball at the Holton nine-yard-line, and one play later, Wildcat senior fullback Cael Frazier broke free up the middle for a 91-yard touchdown in a big 14 points swing. Holton scored on their first three offensive drives and looked to be on way to a route with a 21-0 lead after missing a 36-yard field goal before intermission. 

However, the second half was completely dominated by Hiawatha. Holton ran 17 plays and only had a total of 15 yards and one first down on their four possessions after halftime. Hiawatha meanwhile got momentum and pulled within 21-6 on an impressive 70-yard 13-play drive that was capped by an 11 yard TD run by Gus Smith. The Redhawks turned the ball over on downs their next drive, but with Holton trying to run out the clock, the Cats fumbled with just under two minutes remaining and Hiawatha capitalized with a quick 42 yard drive with a Karson Henry two-yard TD and extra point to make it 21-13 with :46 remaining. The Redhawks attempted onside kicks after both fourth quarter touchdowns but could not recover either one. 

Holton ran for 302 of their 317 yards in the first half and played the second half without top tackler and fullback Cael Frazier, who ended up with 101 yards rushing. Korban Wilson had 69 yards inclduing a 36-yard touchdown on the Wildcats opening drive and Brody Nicol added 63 yards on just five carries. Nicol came in to play tailback because Andrew Shupe shifted to the fullback spot and finished with 39 yards on 12 carries as Holton improved to 4-3 on the season and finished district play with a 2-2 record and third place finish. Holton will have a non-league and non-district game at Leavenworth (6-1) next Friday to conclude the regular season then be on othe road in week nine to start the playoffs. 

Hiawatha had under 100 yarsd at halftime but finished with 227 total yards and Henry was 3-10 passing for 38 yards. Henry ran for 60 yards while Ethan Morton led the Hawks with 109 yards on 18 carries and Smith added 52 yards on the ground. Michael Jenson had a pair of catches for 28 yards before Hiawatha dropped to 2-5 on the season and 1-2 in district play. The Redhawks will host Perry Lecompton in week eight with only the winner making the playoffs.