Holton 37, Royal Valley 21

Holton won their second straight home game and put Royal Valley away early in their Big East Jackson County Showdown on Friday night. The Wildcats led 16-0 after one quarter, and 30-0 at halftime before extending the lead to 37-0 on their first possession of the second half and turning to the bench for the final quarter of the night. The Panthers scored three touchdowns in the final eight minutes of the game after the outcome had been decided. 

Royal Valley defense forced a three-and-out to start the game and was ultra aggressive on their first two offensive drives. However failing to convert on fourth and short from the 50-yard-line and then their second drive at their own 21-yard-live gave Holton a couple short fields and the Cats capitlized with a 44-yard TD run by Andrew Shupe and a Korban Wilson five-yard touchdown accompanied with a pair of Shupe two-point-conversions runs for a 16-0 advantage.

Holton would score on six straight possessions getting a 42-yard QB run to pay-dirt from Alec Frazier and another short TD run by WIlson to make it 30-0 at the half. Wilson sealed the deal with a 77-yard run for his third trip to the endzone on the night and added a trio of extra point kicks to give Holton the 37-0 lead halfway through the third period. Wilson earned the Citizens State Bank and Trust Company of Hiawatha "Player to Bank On" honors. 

The Holton defense had their best showing of the year holding Royal Valley to just three first downs in the first half (one via penalty) and just 58 total Panther yards.  Holton ran for 352 yards with no pass plays attempted on the night. Wilson finished with 99 yards on 8 carries while Frazer had 79 yards on just four totes and Shupe had 98 yards on 13 carries. Fullback Cael Frazier added 56 yards as well for the Wildcats who beat Royal Valley for the 30th consecutive time. 

Royal Valley had 169 yards rushing in the second half and finished 3-8 passing for 45 yards including a Griffin Cumpton 28-yard TD pass to Landon Gilbert with 4:16 to play. Manny Oliveira had 96 yards on 14 carries and the final score of the night (31 yard run) with 17 seconds remaining. Alex Johnson also scored in the final eight minutes of the game on a 32-yard TD run and finished with 59 yards, and Nolan Bausch added 40 yards on 12 carries for the Panthers (1-2). 

District play starts for both teams next week as Royal Valley host Sabetha (3-0) and Holton will play at Perry Lecompton (0-3). Replay of this week three game available to watch here on MSC Sports Network.