Holton football routs Hayden on senior night: 'All our preparation is for Hayden'

The Holton football team (6-1) won its sixth straight game with a 37-13 route at home on Friday night over previously undefeated Hayden (6-1).

The senior night win for Holton was a matchup of two of the best teams in 4A and a possible preview of teams that could see each other in the postseason.

Holton rushing attack overwhelmed Hayden

It's no secret what Holton's game plan is come Friday nights. They entered the game against Hayden with 2,417 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns as a team compared to just three completed passes for 66 yards.

"That's just kind of what we do," said Holton coach Brooks Barta. "We threw it one time for one completion (tonight). We love that."

We'll come back to that passing stat later.

With two run-based offenses facing off on Friday night, converting opportunities with the ball into points is key.

In the first half, Hayden had three punts and an interception on five possessions to Holton scoring on four of its five. Holton led 24-7 at halftime.

"We couldn't get off the field defensively," said Hayden coach Bill Arnold. "Offensively, we were just out of sync."

Some of the sluggishness from Hayden can be attributed to tired legs due to most Hayden players playing both ways and having to be on the field for extensive Holton drives.

In the second half, Hayden had just two possessions and scored its lone touchdown with 8:25 left in the game, a 26-yard touchdown run from Finn Dunshee to make it 37-13.

Dunshee also had a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the game, but those were the two bright spots Hayden had on Friday night.

"When you don't play assignment sound football, you don't play with aggressiveness and you don't tackle you're gonna be in trouble," said Arnold. "We didn't play very well tonight, not to take anything away from them, they're a good team."

It was Garyson Booth's night

Seven players have triple-digit rushing yards on the year so far for Holton, and senior Garyson Booth came into Friday leading that group with 784 yards and 10 touchdowns.

He added five more touchdowns on Friday night to his season total, scoring all five of Holton's touchdowns with four rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown.

"We've been looking forward to this Hayden week," said Booth. "All of our preparation is for Hayden.

"Our offensive line is something else. They might not be the biggest, but they're monsters. They'll call out audibles and change plays. They're like another coach out there for me."

Booth's touchdown runs came from 1 yard, 10 yards, 3 yards and 1 yard. A 34-yard, wide-open touchdown catch and run on 3rd and 18 with 6:39 in the third quarter to make it 30-7 was the highlight, however.

"Oh my gosh, I get so excited," said Booth when asked about hearing the play call for a pass. "It's very rare in Holton, Kansas, to throw the ball. We were setting up that play all night just in case we needed it."

Here's what both teams will take away from this game

After dropping the season opener to Nemaha Central, Holton hasn't lost since.

"Really proud of the progress our kids have made," said Barta on the sixth straight win. "We've gotten better each and every week, and we played lights out tonight.

"We beat a really good team (tonight), and you know, I think there's a good chance we're gonna see that team again. I think both teams are going to improve."

Arnold knows a matchup in the postseason could happen, too.

"They kicked our ass tonight. They wanted it more than we did," said Arnold. "(We've) got to learn from it and come back with a passion and a desire to get better. Hopefully, we get a chance for some redemption down the road."

Booth knows the postseason run is right around the corner, and he and Holton are ready.

"Just keep working hard," said Booth. "Grind doesn't stop."

Tips or story ideas? Email Seth Kinker at skinker@gannett.com or DM him on Twitter @SethKinker.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Holton football beats Hayden on senior night, 37-13