Holton Starts District With Dominant Win at Atchison

The first meeting since 2017 was the district opener for Holton and Atchison in week four and the Wildcats got the first win of the season in dominating fashion with a 51-16 victory.  Holton scored touchdowns on their first four possessions and led 25-0 after the first snap in the second quarter. The Cats were ahead 37-8 at halftime and outgained the Phoenix 391 yards to just 6 yards for the home team. Holton built the lead to 51-8 before the teams opted for a running clock with 5:40 left in the third quarter.

Holton ended with 24 first downs and ran for 457 yards (7.3/carry) while Tucker Terry was also 4-5 passing for 94 yards in the first half, including a 32-yard touchdown to Grant Warner. Jarret Abel led the ground game with 166 yards and 3 TDs while Jerome Williams added 131 yards and a score. Fullback Clete Wray scored twice and had 40 yards while Dawson Hamer and Brody Nicol each had more than 30 yards. Hamer, Nicol, and Kannon Segenhagen all had defensive interceptions as well while Segenhagen added a pair of receptions on offense.  Coach Brooks Barta is now 7-1 against Atchison and Holton host Jeff West for a district homecoming game in week five.

Atchison suffered a couple key injuries and struggled with negative yards rushing on the night while freshman quarterback Quincy Crittendon was 7 of 14 passing for 79 yards. Jeremiah Thompson had five receptions for 52 yards including a two-yard TD reception and the two-point receptions as well in the fourth quarter.  The Phoenix got an 83 yard kickoff return for a TD from Xavier Gayden for their first half score, but fall to 1-3 and will have a district game at Hiawatha next week.