The game between two state ranked and undefeated teams certainly lived up to the hype but there was plenty of twist and turns along the way before Perry Lecompton overcame a ton of adversity to claim a 28-14 win at Holton and finish as Big 7 champs with a 3-0 league record for the year. The Kaws took advantage of three fumbles by Holton in the second half and overcame the loss of their all state quarterback Billy Welch to improve to 3-0 heading into district play. 

This game was tied 7-7 after one quarter and 14-14 at halftime, but Holton could never take the lead, even with the ball in the red zone in the final seconds before intermission. It was on the fifth play early in the third quarter when Billy Welch was tackled going out of bounds and left the game with a knee injury and did not return. He had compiled 40 rushing yards and was 7-12 passing for 140 yards before exiting. All state runningback Thad Metcalfe moved to quarterback for the remainder of the game and it took a couple series for the Kaws to settle in offensively, but their defense remained stout and made several big plays when they needed. 

Late in the third quarter following a Holton fumble, backup runningback Reichen Rush broke free for a 29-yard touchdown run to make it 20-14 and cap a three play, 44-yard drive. Then the Kaws forced a three and out and needed just three plays to get back in the endzone after Rush caught a 20-yard pass and ran for 44 yards before Metcalfe carried in his second TD of the night to cap the scoring at 28-14 with 11:18 remaining in the game. The Wildcats fumbled twice more in the fourth period, with Hayden Robb forcing a pair of fumbles and having a monster night on both sides of the football, earning Giant Communications "Lineman of the Game" honors.  

Metcalfe finished with 109 yards rushing while Rush had 80 yards on just five carries. Parker Stone led six Perry receivers that all caught a pass with 74 yards and a trio of receptions, while Metcalfe had two catches for 43 yards to help earn "Player to Bank On" honors from the Citizens State Bank and Trust Company in Hiawatha. "I love our guys and how they compete and take care of each other," Coach Paramore said after the game. "They showed a lot of heart and preserverance tonight to overcome some adversity and find a way to win."  The Kaws do not play any more Big 7 teams so have earned their first ever Big 7 football title and their first League football title since winning the Kaw Valley League crown in 2007. 

Holton ran for 296 yards, but only 121 in the second half with the three costly mistakes. Canon Karn had a huge night on the ground with 191 yards on 22 carries and both touchdowns while Konner Tannahill had 39 yards and Kale Purcell ran for 38 while going 1-5 passing for six yards and picked off a pass on defense just three plays after Welch left with his injury. Holton fell to 1-2 in their first home game of the season and will host Sabetha to start district play next week.