Despite an early 7-6 deficit after allowing a 79-yard touchdown pass, Holton responded to win their opening round playoff game 60-14 against Bishop Ward on Friday night. For the second straight week the Wildcats racked up more than 500 yards and 60 points improving their record to 5-4 on the season and advancing to play Wellsville (9-0) in the Regional 3A playoffs next week.

Abbott Hundley had a career night leading Holton with 209 yards rushing on 20 carries and scoring five offensive touchdowns. The senior converted lineman also had a sack and a 49-yard fumble return for a touchdown to cap the night. 

The Holton defense had five takeaways total, including three interceptions when Bishop Ward had the ball inside the redzone. Cale Hein intercepted a pass at the goal line early in the second stanza with Holton ahead 20-7 and then Bodie Dillon had a pair of picks inside the 10-yard-line.

Holton led 34-7 at halftime and appeared to put the game away with a Hundley touchdown to make it 40-7 early in the third quarter. However, the Cyclones went on a 10-play scoring drive and then recovered a Holton fumble and Damon Esparza returned it 43 yards for another score to pull Ward within 40-19 at the 6:13 mark in the third period. The Wildcats then got the final three touchdowns of the night in a game that lasted more than 2 hours and 45 minutes even with a running clock the final six minutes of the night. 

Kyler Jackson had 137 yards on 17 carries and a TD while Cael Frazier also had 123 yards on 11 totes and a rushing score and Caleb Chermock scored for the Cats as well.  Holton was only stopped on two possessions total on a night they celebrated and honored the 2003 first Wildcat state championship team. 

Bishop Ward, coming off their first winning season since 2009 (7-3 last year) ends this year 3-6 with a loss at Holton in the playoffs. Aiden Milliren was 15-37 passing for 229 yards and had a rushing TD along with his 79-yard strike to Jashaun Holliday on the Cyclones first play of the game. Ward ended up with 297 yards of total offense but five turnovers.

Holton will play at Wellsville (9-0) on Friday night November 3rd with kickoff set for 7 PM.