Friday 09/13/19

Holton KS

For back to back weeks the Holton Wildcats found themselves in a defensive battle. This time against a Perry Lecompton team coming off of a dominating 68-0 win over Royal Valley the week before. The Wildcats were trying to avoid starting the year off 0-2, which they have done three of the last four seasons. While the Kaws were trying to start the season 2-0 for the third year in a row.

Holton would receive the opening kickoff from Ticianco Gonzalez and start their first offensive possession at their own 39 yard line. While still looking for their first score of the year, Holton decided to open up the playbook on their first play as senior running back Taygen Fletcher took a quick pitch and fired it to fellow senior Ian Watkins who got behind the entire Kaw defense for a 61 yard touchdown just :19 seconds into the game. The extra point was missed and Holton led 6-0.

It didn't take long for Perry to answer as they took their first offensive possession right down the field capped off with an 8 yard touchdown run by Junior running back Thad Metcalfe. Gonzalez would tack on the extra point and Perry would take the lead at 7-6 with 8:39 left in the 1st quarter. Following a couple exchange of possessions, the Wildcats found themselves backed up at their own 16 yard line but put together a patented Holton drive covering 84 yards on 11 plays capped with a 6 yard touchdown run by Junior running back Canon Karn. 2Pt conversion attempt was successful by Senior running back Trey Wright and Holton went up 14-7 with 8:38 left in the 2nd quarter.

14-7 would be the final score. A defensive effort from the 8:38 mark in the 2nd quarter on as both teams struggled to punch it in when they would get into plus territory. Perry would have not one, not two but three chances inside Holton's 20 yard line but would come up empty, twice turning it over on downs but the final one hurt the most. Perry had the ball at Holton's six-yard-line with just under 8:00 left in the 4th quarter. On third and goal from the 6, Metcalfe fumbled and Holton recovered. The first official turnover in the game proved to be a huge difference maker.

Holton would then drive all the way to Perry's 15 yard line before turning it over on downs but would eat up almost seven minutes of game time. The Kaws had one final shot to put together a game tying drive, but with no timeouts and 85 yards to cover, it was a tall task. Perry would end up turning the ball over on downs, failing to pickup a first down and Holton would run the clock out to capture a thrilling 14-7 victory over the Kaws.

Holton was led in rushing by Karn (67 yards 1 TD) and Junior fullback Konner Tannahill (60 yards) while putting up 224 rushing yards as a team. Fletcher led the 'Cats through the air with 61 yards and 1TD

Perry was led in rushing by Metcalfe (98 yards 1 TD) while Junior quarterback Billy Welch threw for 195 yards. The Kaws totaled 295 yards on the evening (unofficial).

Holton (1-1) will take to the road this next week and take on Nemaha Central (1-1) in Seneca with kickoff scheduled at 7:00 PM. You can listen to the game on 92.1FM KMZA or on the Holton Channel either online at mscsports.net or Facebook Live.

Perry (1-1) will host for the first time in the last five meetings (including playoffs) the Sabetha Bluejays (2-0) with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM. You can listen to the game on 103.9FM KNZA or on the Sabetha Channel either online at mscsports.net or Facebook Live.