Holcomb Longhorns stampede the Goodland Cowboys

Courtesy of Kirk Hutchinson
Goodland, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–The Holcomb Longhorns ran over, around, and through the Goodland Cowboys in a 55-14 romp to open district play. The Longhorns led 7-0 after one quarter, 21-0 after two quarters, and 55-0 after three quarters.

On the game’s opening series, Goodland drove to the Holcomb 43, but then Greg Martinez picked off a Cowboy pass, setting the Longhorns up on their 32-yard line. For Martinez, it was his fourth interception of the year, and the first of three he would snag in this game.

Unfortunately, the Longhorns gave the ball right back to Goodland. After a run was called back because of a holding penalty, Holcomb lost the ball on the next play, fumbling the quarterback-running back exchange. The Cowboys recovered on the Longhorn 24, but Holcomb’s defense stopped Goodland on four plays and got the ball back.

The Longhorns then marched 77 yards in seven plays, with Damon Mesa scoring from eight yards out. Manny Anguiano’s extra point gave Holcomb a 7-0 lead.

An Ethan Kennis interception on Goodland’s next drive set the Longhorns up at the Cowboy 45. Holcomb would get as close as the 10-yard line, but a bad snap pushed the Longhorns back to the 19 and they could not convert on 4th down.

Holcomb’s defense forced a three-and-out, and after a Goodland punt, the Longhorns took over at their own 47-yard line. This time, Holcomb cashed in, driving 53 yards in four plays, with Keegan Johnson connecting with Brayden Bastin for a 20-yard touchdown pass. The PAT was no good and Holcomb led 13-0.

The Longhorn ‘D’ forced another three-and-out, but a booming punt from freshman Jaxson Miller pinned Holcomb at its own 15. That didn’t matter, as the Longhorns stormed down the field in six plays as Damon Mesa scored his second TD of the night on a 2-yard run. The 2-point conversion gave Holcomb a 21-0 lead.

The Cowboys drove to the Longhorn 6, but couldn’t punch it into the end zone, as the 1st half ended.

Goodland opened the 2nd half with an onside kick, but touched the ball before it went 10 yards, setting the Longhorns up at the Cowboy 49. They only needed three plays to score, with Manny Reyes scampering in from 26 yards out. The extra point gave Holcomb a 28-0 lead.

On Goodland’s next possession, Greg Martinez snagged his second pick of the night, setting up the Longhorns at the Cowboy 25. Two plays later, Keegan Johnson hit Korbin Johnson for a 25-yard touchdown. The extra point put Holcomb up 35-0.

Then on Goodland’s next play, Korbin Johnson intercepted the ball and Holcomb took over at the Cowboy 25 again. The next play was a Keegan Johnson to Manny Reyes TD pass and with the PAT, Holcomb led 42-0, with 9:07 still to play in the 3rd quarter.

The Cowboys went three-and-out, but once again Miller boomed a big punt and the Longhorns started the next drive on their own 15. It didn’t matter, as on the second play of the drive, Keegan Johnson connected with Brayden Bastin again, this time for a 76-yard score and it was 48-0.

Goodland has a Division I prospect named Linkon Cure and he made his presence felt on the ensuing kickoff, returning it 60 yards to the Holcomb 25, with Brayden Bastin making the touchdown-saving tackle. But on second-and-goal for the Cowboys, Greg Martinez made his third pick of the night at the goal line and returned the ball to the Goodland 25.

Korbin Johnson would finish the scoring for Holcomb with a three-yard run and the Longhorns led 55-0 going into the 4th quarter.

Goodland finally got on the board with a couple of 4th quarter touchdowns. Jayden Olvedo, though, stopped one drive with Holcomb’s 6th interception of the night.

The Longhorns held Goodland to 226 total yards, while picking off 6 passes. Holcomb rolled up 440 yards of offense, 225 yards on the ground, and 185 yards through the air, with 1 fumble lost.

Damon Mesa rushed for 112 yards on 12 carries, with 2 touchdowns. Manny Reyes racked up 100 yards on just six carries, with 1 touchdown. Reyes also caught 1 passing touchdown. Korbin Johnson had 1 rushing and 1 receiving TD, as well.

Keegan Johnson completed 5 out of 8 passes for 185 yards and 4 touchdowns. Brayden Bastin caught 2 of those TD passes, with 96 yards receiving.

Holcomb improves 3-1 on the season, 1-0 in district play. The Longhorns will host the Colby Eagles this Friday in their second district game.