In Brooks Barta's 20-year tenure at Holton, he has won three State Championships, won numerous Big 7 League titles, and is approaching the 200 career win mark just to name a few milestones. One of his primary goals in every season however, is to have each team come together to form a family, and teach more than just football, but life lessons and humble commitment.  Yet, none were much bigger than this year and opportunity on Friday night in week six at Effingham. 

Holton dominated from the start against Atchison County Community High School, scoring three touchdowns in the games first five minutes of play. The 'Cats kept that momentum going to the end of the first half leading 47-0 at the intermission. Barta's defense didn't allow a single positive yard in the first half while his offense piled up 450 yards of total offense to go along with seven touchdowns. The message of consistency, perseverance and determination was heard loud and clear going into the second half when the second team offense and defense took the field. Holton's Mason Strader would take over for Justin Rieschick at quarterback and keep the momentum going outscoring ACCHS 16-6 in the second half, one score coming from Holton freshman Jackson Martin from 10 yards out with 1:13 left in regulation to seal the 63-6 victory for Holton. The Cats finished the night with 571 yards of total offense, led in rushing by junior fullback Parker Zeller and senior running back Will Wright each with 109 yards and a TD.  The Wildcats are now 3-3 on the season and head to Meriden on Friday night to take on Jefferson West as district play begins in class 4A D.II 

The family aspect came into play with every snap, but two key plays following both Holton scores in the second half, made the concept even larger than life, and more than just a game. Following an A.J. Haussler 22yd TD run extending Holton's lead to 55-0, Brooks Barta (with assistance from many Holton seniors) called on Peyton Paxton to relieve Justin Pool of kickoff duty. Paxton, with the help of cousin, Mason Strader, took the field for his first ever varsity football game.  Peyton placed the ball on the tee, waited for the referee's whistle, and booted the ball away etching his name in the box score for the first time in his high school career.

You may wonder why this is so significant that Paxton got into the ball game, not just once, but twice following both Holton scores in the second half.  Peyton is the son of Kevin and Jennifer Paxton, the first of two children for the Paxtons. Peyton's life would change forever after a seizure he suffered at only 30 months old and resulted in a diagnosis of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Autism.  Children, such as Peyton, with LGS suffer seizures often and typically find it hard to treat the seizures, but Peyton doesn't let this slow him down. Now a senior at Holton High School, he has been a part of the Holton football family since 7th grade under then coaches Randall Bond and Kurt Haussler. "We just wanted him to be a part of something starting in 7th grade" Peyton's mother Jennifer stated, "It helped with his social aspect of everyday life and his boys have supported him really well". Peyton and "his boys" as he calls the team, have been through ups and downs over the years but the support for Peyton has always been there. When he took the field for the first time in a varsity uniform on Friday night, he went out with “his boys.” Strader trotted out with Paxton to assist his older cousin, following the kick they both ran over to the sideline where Grandpa Ron Strader was there to great Peyton. "My dad has been there for Peyton since day one, always helping and supporting" states Jennifer Paxton, "Dad told Peyton 'Good job', and Peyton responded with, 'I kicked it good grandpa.'  That was cool!" 

Jennifer credits many people for their support of Peyton throughout the years, including Head Coach Brooks Barta for including him at practices on Tuesday and Wednesday, and suiting up with the team on Fridays. Peyton has established many friendships that once started on the football field but have extended past the gridiron with many of his boys, their parents and grandparents. This may be the only time in Peyton's High School career that he gets into the game, but it will be a memory and a moment to last a lifetime. Not only for the Paxton family, but for the Holton community. In a Holton football season that has seen three loses for only the second time in the last 15 years and many tough injuries, untimely mistakes and heart-breaking loses along the way, everything seemed perfect for this "Wildcat family", and the big “life” picture during this Friday night victory.