Holcomb outlasts Scott City in Regional battle

Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–It’s always tough to defeat a team two times in a season in football, especially the second time on the opponents field. Holcomb faced the task of facing Scott City at Darner Field on Friday night in the Class 4A, Division II Regional playoff game. It was a similar outcome, as Holcomb withstood several comeback efforts by Scott City, as they won their fifth straight postseason win with a 34-20 decision.

The Longhorns started out hot, scoring two times on their first six plays. With 10:01 left in the first quarter, quarterback Trey Gilbert found a wide open Brandon Stegman down the seam for a 69-yard touchdown pass to give them the early 7-0 lead, with the Chance Rodriguez extra point. Following a Beaver three-and-out, Holcomb (9-1) took advantage of short field. This time, Stegman took the jet sweep around the right side and scored from 39 yards out with 7:09 left in the first quarter to go up 14-0, with the Rodriguez extra point.

In the second quarter, Scott City (7-3) took advantage of an interception. On third down from the Holcomb 40, Wyatt Hayes went up the middle on a 40-yard touchdown run with 8:14 left before the break to cut the Longhorn lead in half at 14-7, including the Gustavo Gonzalez PAT. Holcomb would score once more before the break, taking advantage of a short punt and a pass interference. With 26 seconds before halftime, Stegman scored from eight yards out to give the Longhorns a 20-7 lead at the break.

Following a scoreless third quarter, the first minute of the fourth quarter turned out to be a wild one. Three touchdowns combined were scored in the first 67 seconds. The first of those was on a 64-yard pass play from Bo Hess to Jarret Jurgens with 11:35 remaining. Holcomb blocked the extra point to hold a 20-13 lead. One play after Holcomb was pinned deep on the kickoff, Dillon Williams zig-zagged across the field, scoring from 94 yards out with 11:10 left to push the Longhorn lead back to 14 at 27-13. On the first play of Scott City’s drive, they would cut the lead in half, as Hess made a 71-yard touchdown pass, hitting Justin Faurot in stride for the touchdown to cut the deficit in half at 27-20 with the Gonzales extra point, with 10:53 remaining.

Holcomb would march down the field and fumble the ball at the Beaver 8 with 5:10 left. Two plays later, the Longhorns would intercept Scott City. Williams would score the final touchdown of the night with a six-yard run at the 4:06 mark of the fourth quarter, and Rodriguez’ extra point made it 34-20.

The Beavers had a couple of chances, but Holcomb would grab a pair of interceptions down the stretch, and the Longhorns advanced on to the Sectional round.

Trey Gilbert was only three of six passing for 86 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Brandon Stegman had two catches for 80 yards and a touchdown. Dillon Williams had 22 carries for 210 yards and two touchdowns. Holcomb finished with 368 yards on the ground and 454 yards of offense.

For Scott City, Bo Hess was 12-18 for 213 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Hess had a season high in passing yardage. Justin Faurot had a career-best five catches for 107 yards and a touchdown. Wyatt Hayes had 15 rushes for 67 yards and a touchdown. Scott City finished with 55 yards on the ground and 268 total yards of offense.

The win by Holcomb was their first in postseason play in three tries. Scott City lost their second straight Regional playoff game, and was their first playoff-opening loss since 1998. In that same year, the Beavers lost to Pratt in week two to start 0-2, and lost in their first playoff game to Pratt.

Holcomb will host Wichita Collegiate next week in the Sectional round of the playoffs. The Spartans defeated Clay Center 35-7 Friday night in Wichita to improve to 7-3 on the year.

Holcomb Coach Kent Teeter Postgame