Holton 47, Girard 27

The Wildcat offense remained unstopable behind a dominating performance from their line as they ran for 507 yards to beat Girard and claim a Sectional Championship for a second straight year. Gary Booth had 352 yards rushing on just 21 carries while Jayden Fletcher ran for over 100 yards as well and the Wildcats never called a pass play all night, never punted or were stopped on downs, leading from start to finish in Southeast Kansas. 

Holton scored just 20 second into the game with an option that Matt Lierz first faked the pitch, then later with two Trojans trying to tackle him pitched it to Booth who ran to the endzone for 67 yards. The perimeter game was where it was at for the Cats all night as they won their 10th straight game and this 20-point-margin was their closest of the season.Holton ran the ball 47 times and averaged 11 yards per carry with the quickness of a terrific offensive line paving the way. Cooper Baxter, Tyler Phillips, Dalton Roush, Abbott Hundley, Trevor Barnett along with tight ends Charlie Gilliland, Jackson Bear and Sam Miller had a phenominal night blocking on the turf, while Jakari Washington played the entire game at fullback with second leading rusher and top tackler Jace Boswell missing the game due to injury. 

After forcing a quick punt, Holton's second drive again had Gary Booth breaking a long TD run from 43 yards to make it 13-0. Girard had a pair of solid drives in the first half, but had to settle for short field goals after the Wildcat defense made some big plays when they needed including a great tackle for loss by Fletcher on third down that make the score 13-3 after one quarter. Girard got their first touchdown of the night on a 27-yard pass from Luke Niggeman to Kaleb Scales to pul without 20-10 midway through the second stanza. However, Holton would continue their scoring parade with a Fletcher 23-yard scamper for six points and another Booth run of 21 yards as the Cats just missed a 47-yard field goal after getting the ball back at 29 seconds in the first half to take a 28-13 lead into the lockeroom. 

The Wildcat defense got another big stop to start the third quarter and maintain a two-score-lead before Fletcher added his second rushing TD to pull ahead 35-13. Booth got his fourth touchdown on the first snap of the fourth period and Matt Lierz added a late rushing score on a fourth-down option play as Holton was able to overcome 11 penalties for 120 yards on the night .

Girard ended their second straight season at 10-1 with only a loss to Holton. The Trojans had 106 yards rushing and Niggeman was 13-25 passing for 269 yards and Kaleb Scales having 142 receiving on his five catches. Niggeman, one of nine senior starters, also ran for 49 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown that make it 41-27 with just over seven minutes remaining. 

Holton (10-1) will rematch against Topeka Hayden (10-1) with a home 7 PM  Sub-State game next week. Holton won at home 37-13 in week seven but this time the winner will advance to the 3A State Title game in Hutchinson after Thanksgiving, something the Wildcats are trying to do for the first time since 2015.  Live coverage on the Holton Channel at www.mscsports.net