Holcomb rolls over Southwestern Heights on Senior Night

Courtesy of Kirk Hutchinson
Holcomb, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–

“We wanted to come out and look sharp early and stay healthy.” That was Trey Teeter’s game plan for his Holcomb Longhorns Friday night against Southwestern Heights. Mission accomplished, as the Longhorns scored on their first six possessions, needing only 17 offensive snaps to rack up 42 first-half points, en route to a 48-22 victory.

The Mustangs started the game with an onside kick that the Longhorns failed to recover, setting up Southwestern Heights at midfield. Then on 4th-and-short, Mustang QB Omar Mercado got the Longhorns to jump offside resulting in a 1st down at the Holcomb 37. But three more plays netted zero yards and a short Mercado punt gave the Longhorns the ball at their own 26-yard line.

On Holcomb’s first offensive play of the game, Keegan Johnson hit Korbin Johnson with a short pass that Korbin turned into a 74-yard touchdown. With Manny Anguiano’s extra point, Holcomb led 7-0.

Two plays into Heights’ next series, Jhavid Corral picked off a Mercado pass and returned it to the 7-yard line. Damon Mesa strolled into the end zone on the next play and, with the PAT, Holcomb led 14-0 less than halfway through the 1st quarter. Two offensive plays, two touchdowns.

Corral and Angelo Otero combined for three interceptions and made big plays on both sides of the ball, leading Coach Teeter to praise both of them. “Two young guys, two sophomores who have really stepped and done a good job for us in practice. They continue to get better, proud of both those guys.”

A three-and-out, a punt, and a 31-yard return set Holcomb up at the Mustang 25. Pass interference in the end zone moved the Longhorns to the 12-and-a-half-yard line. Mesa scored on the next play and the extra point made the score 21-0 with 5:28 to play in the 1st quarter. Four offensive snaps, three touchdowns.

A good kick return set Heights up on their own 42, but they only gained 4 yards on 4 plays and turned the ball back over to Holcomb. Two plays later, Keegan Johnson connected with Brayden Bastin on a 24-yard TD pass. Anguiano added the extra point and Holcomb led 28-0, still in the 1st quarter. Six offensive snaps, four touchdowns.

The Mustangs drove to the Longhorn 25, but Otero’s first pick of the night gave the Longhorns the ball back at their own 29. Four plays later, Keegan Johnson scrambled into the endzone from six yards out and Holcomb led 35-0 after the PAT, with 8:47 to play in the 1st half. By then, younger players were getting on the field for the Longhorns.

“We started substituting a few guys in and out,” Teeter said. “Took all of our seniors out and put together a sophomore and junior group. We wanted them to have a couple of drives.”

Junior QB Keegan Johnson capped off his night on Holcomb’s next series, connecting with Colton Obregon on a 13-yard TD pass. Johnson completed all six of his passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns. Holcomb led 42-0, as Manny Anguiano was perfect on extra-point tries.

The Mustangs scored right before the end of the half, with Mercado hitting Nathan Lapoint on a 30-yard touchdown pass, making the score 42-6 at halftime.

The Holcomb junior varsity played the entire 2nd half and Teeter was pleased to get everyone who suited up a chance to play. “These were extremely valuable reps. They got valuable playing time. They’re continuing to learn and develop.”

Heights started the 2nd half with the ball and got an extended drive after Luke Thyne muffed a punt. But Angelo Otero made his second pick of the night and the Longhorns took over on their own 17. That led to a 14-play drive ending in a Thyne-to-Otero TD pass of 15 yards and stretched Holcomb’s lead to 48-6.

The Mustangs would score twice in the 2nd half, first on a 26-yard Brayan Ramirez TD run. Ramirez topped the century mark on the night, rushing for 109 yards. Mercado scored the night’s final touchdown with an electrifying 85-yard punt return in the 4th quarter.

Coach Teeter was pleased with the 48-22 win and the chance for his seniors to enjoy the night. “It’s a time of celebration. You get a chance to thank them for the four years they’ve put in, all the time and effort. I went through and thanked the parents. They spend a lot of resources on the program and the kids. It’s a really cool night. You’re thankful for the kids who were able to stick it out and play high school football for four years.”

Offensively, Holcomb produced 369 yards of total offense, 231 yards through the air and 138 on the ground. Kenn Prieto was the leading rusher with 50 yards on 16 carries. The defense held Southwestern Heights to 272 yards and forced three turnovers.

The Mustangs finish the regular season at 1-7. The Longhorns improve to 6-2. Holcomb will host a first-round playoff game Friday, with the Pratt Greenbacks, 4-4 on the year, coming to town.