Wamego 41, Holton 34

It was shootout to claim the third spot in Class 3A District 4 Friday night as Holton held a 28-14 halftime lead, before Wamego scored the final three touchdowns of the night to pull off a 41-34 victory.  The Wildcats scored on five of their first seven drives which put them ahead 34-20 with 4:35 remaining in the third quarter.  Yet, the Cats were turned away on their final three possessions of the night, including coming up just a yard short on fourth down at the Wamego 19 and 42 yard-lines in the fourth quarter.  Holton out-gained the Red Raiders 347 yards (all rushing) to 322 yards, but Wamego strategy of platooning all but one player, seemed to wear down Holton as the game went on and means that the Wildcats (3-5) will be at Hayden in week nine to start the post season.  Wamego (5-3) is now 5-0 on turf this year and will travel to Perry Lecompton on Friday.

Sophomore fullback Konnor Tannahill continued an impressive season with 121 yards on 24 carries and three touchdowns for Holton.  Trey Wright added 46 yards on 15 carries and Jackson Martin toted the pigskin 14 times for 73 yards with both backs reached the endzone.  Taygen Fletcher added 68 yards on 13 carries as the Cats ran the ball 70 times and was 0-2 passing. 

Wamego was held to just one first down in the first half and only 64 total yards as they went three-and-out on a trio of drives, including one that was halted on a sack by Noah Stotts.  Yet, the Red Raiders made some great adjustments and were not stopped once in the second half as they scored on four straight drives.  Ty Cooper scored four rushing touchdowns, including the final three trips to the endzone on the night and ended with 148 yards on 28 carries.  He also threw for a TD to Brad Sackrider for 22 yards on the opening possession in the third quarter to pull within 28-20. 

Taybor Vetter added 134 yards on just 13 carries and Wamego got their first score of the night as a low punt snap that Holton could not gain control and Riley Eveland scooped and scored it from three yards out.  Cooper’s longest run of 47 yards with 7:21 remaining in the game pulled the Raiders within 34-33 as they missed their second PAT kick in the half.  But, after stopping Holton on downs and forcing a punt from the endzone, Wamego took their first lead since the first quarter with 3:20 remaining on Cooper’s nine-yard-run that capped a short 37-yard-drive.