The #1 ranked Sabetha Bluejays looked to be in post-season form when starting their season Friday with a dominant 49-20 victory at Holton. Sabetha scored touchdowns on their first seven possessions of the game and led 49-6 before pulling starters to end the third quarter. The Jays had only two penalties and no turnovers while rushing for 438 yards on 49 carries.

Among eight returning starters, quarterback Micah Lang led the ground game with 143 yards on just 13 carries, four of which went for touchdowns. Lang scored the first three TDs of the night on carries of eight, one, and three yards for an early 19-0 lead. Lincoln Menold added 142 yards on just 10 carries while Christian Scott had 70 yards and Curtis Fitzgerald added 65 yards with each of those three players scoring touchdowns as well.  Lang was 1-3 passing with a 28-yard completion to Jack Frazee, and ran the option to perfection including a couple late pitches that went for scores. 

Holton had first down on each of their first three possessions but ultimately couldn’t convert when facing third and long-distance situation which led the three punts. The Wildcats got on the board with their first play of their fourth drive as Jarett Abel broke free on a counter play for an 84-yard touchdown to make it 19-6 with 3:52 left in the first half. 

Abel finished with 146 yards while Edward Shupe added 132 yards and freshman Jerome Willliams got three carries in the fourth quarter totaling 70 yards, which also included touchdown runs of 38 and 27 yards.  Holton was 2-6 passing as Kannon Segenhagen caught a 16 yard pass from Tucker Terry and also threw a 25 yard reverse pass completion to Grant Warner on the Cats second offensive play of the game. 

Holton ended up 338 yards rushing, but had seven penalties for 77 yards. The Wildcats will be at Royal Valley in week two while Sabetha gets their home opener against Nemaha Central.