Holton 22, Frontenac 7

Winners of 5 straight games, Holton had some momentum coming into Friday night's game in Frontenac. They kept the momentum rolling to win their 6th straight, downing Frontenac and junior phenomenon Brandon Mlekus 22-7. 

It wasn't all peaches and cream in this game however as Frontenac got the ball first and Head Coach Mark Smith called for a “hook and ladder” on the games second play.  It went for 30 yards and Frontenac went up 7-0 with 6:23 left in the first quarter. After allowing a first offensive drive score for the first time since week five, Holton then turned the ball over on downs as it seemed something wasn't quite right after a three and a half over bus ride to face a new unknown opponent. 

As Brooks Barta sent his defense back onto the field, something was said in the huddle that appeared to wake the Wildcats.  At the 1:58 mark, Brandon Mlekus completed a 27 yard pass to Senior Colin Bollinger, who was fighting for extra yardage when “Double-J” came crashing in as Justin Rieshcick and Justin Pool simultaneously jarred the football loose.  Holton recovered, forcing only the seventh fumble on the season for the Raiders and swinging the momentum.   Holton would capitalize on the mistake, marching 63 yards and Mason Barta punched it in from three yards out to knot the game at 7. From that fumble on, Holton's defense looked like the defense of old. The "bend but don't break" mentality. Holton understood 

Mlekus would get his yards and drive the football, but don't let him score, and they didn't. Holton'sdefense pitched a shutout in the final three quarters of play in what became a dominant second half.  After a couple of punts back and forth, they went to the halftime break still tied at 7, and you could sense the nerves on both sides of the field as they knew one team would move on, while one would go home. Holton got the opening possession in the second half, but failed to score and were forced to punt. Spencer Baum was called to try and pin the Raiders deep, he took the snap from Justin Pool, took two steps, and booted away a 43-yard punt that was downed at the Raider 10 yard line. How significant was that punt by Baum? Holton's next two defensive plays would change the aspect of the ball game. On 1st and 10 from his own 10yd line, Mlekus took the shotgun snap and before he could escape was swallowed up by Brian Nelson and Tyler Price for a 5-yard loss. The very next play Price did it again, but this time it was in the end zone and he was credited for a two-point safety. Holton got the football back and give it right back to Mason Barta who ran it in from 5 yards out, capping an 11 play 60 yard drive.

A score midway through the 4th quarter on a 3rd & 17 was run in by Spencer Baum who to the pitch from Rieschick and scampered 62 yards to put the final nail in the coffin. Holton's Justin Pool would seal it with an interception with 1:00 left in regulation, as Holton moves on to host Sub-State Friday Nov. 20th against Columbus. 

Holton was led in rushing by Mason Barta who had 17 carries and 96 yards on the ground including his two touchdown runs.  A steady dose of Justin Rieschick was good to see as well as the senior quarterback ran the ball 11 times for 61 yards and no turnovers.

Holton held Brandon Mlekus to half his season average rushing and after a white-hot first half by the junior (he completed 10 of 11 in the first half and no turnovers) only allowed him to complete 3 of his 10 pass attempts and forcing and interception.  

Holton won the turnover battle between two schools who seemed to be so similar. Both 7-3 records, both averaging over 30 points per game, both allowing under 20 points per game, and both teams having a total offensive output of more than 350 yards per game. The biggest key in the game on Friday night was which team would make mistakes, and which team will play mistake free? Holton forced three turnovers, their defense played the best collective game they've played all season, and their team is moving on for a re-match against a Columbus team that knocked them out of the playoffs a year ago by one point (21-20).  This year and this week, Holton’s game will be at home, with a trip to the state championship on the line.