Tel Wittmer & Brandon Lehnherr

Battle tested is probably a good way to described the Holton Wildcat football team this year after starting the season 0-3, and having to win their final regular season game to make the playoffs for a 19th consecutive time.  Then, holding off Baldwin in the first round and of course the most recent game, the 32-28 furious comeback win over Frontenac to extend Holton's home playoff winning streak to 13 games.

The Wildcats mounted a comeback for the ages against the #1 ranked and undeated 4A-DII team in Frontenac to stay alive in the playoffs and did so with discipline play and true grit and determination. Holton finished the game with 346 yards rushing and while the team has changed up pieces of the offensive line since early in the year, two staples on the line all year have been seniors, Tel Wittmer and Brandon Lehnherr who have led the charge upfront for the strong Wildcat rushing attack and continually provided a great amount of consistency and leadership.  Both guards have recorded numerous pancake blocks and been used as pulling guards and lead blockers in the Holton rushing attack. 

Returning starters from last year's state runner-up squad, both Wittmer and Lehnherr have been steady in the trenches on the offensive line and each earned first team All-League Big Seven League honors this year. The duo has helped Holton rush for 376.7 yards per game this year. The seniors have also had a strong impact on defense upfront as Wittmer earned first team Big Seven League All-League along the defensive line and has recorded more than 50 tackles this season with a pair of fumble recoveries, while Lehnherr snagged honorable mention Big Seven League All-League honors on the d-line surpassing 30 tackles this season with a sack.

The leadership and stability of the senior duo in Wittmer and Lehnherr along the line has helped the Holton Wildcats achieve the success they have this season and carry on the potent Wildcat Wishbone as they look to continue that taking their 7-4 record into the 4A-DII Sub-State round of the playoffs for a rematch against their rival, Topeka Hayden (7-4).