Holcomb pulls away late from Scott City
Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–For about 2 1/2 quarters, Friday night’s showdown between Scott City and Holcomb was about as evenly matched as it could be. From the midway point of the third quarter, the Longhorns would pull away and improve to 6-0 with a 32-7 victory over the Beavers at Darner Field.
After a scoreless first quarter, Scott City had an opportunity to put the first points up on the board. On fourth and goal at the Longhorn one, the Holcomb defense would make a goal line stand and preserve a scoreless game. The second opportunity came after a Longhorn fumble at their own 28. Scott City would get to the 15 and have a 32-yard field goal blocked with 9:30 left before halftime. The missed scoring opportunities by the Beavers would see Holcomb cash in. With 6:55 left before halftime, Cooper Cranston connected with Korbin Johnson on a 12-yard pass play to make it 6-0. The extra point was no good. Scott City turned the ball over on the next series and Holcomb would drive down to the Beaver 23 before a turnover on downs in the final minute of the half.
It would be back and forth to begin the second half as the teams traded possessions. A short punt by Scott City set up Holcomb at the Beaver 49 yard line. It took the four plays to find the end zone. With 5:55 left in the third quarter. Chasyn Cosner scored from 34 yards out to make it a 12-0 Longhorn lead after the missed extra point. The teams would trade interceptions. After a Holcomb penalty on second and 11 at their own 18, Cranston found a crease and scored from 82 yards out with 39.7 second left in the third frame to extend the lead to 18-0, as their two-point attempt was no good.
Scott City got on the board on the first play of the fourth quarter on a 44-yard halfback pass from Cayden Couchman to Peyton Bergner to pull them to within 18-7. The Beavers forced Holcomb to punt on their next possession and had an opportunity to pull a little closer. An interception at the Scott City 46 on the first play of the series ended the threat and the wind would go out of the sails of the Beavers. Holcomb took advantage with a Cosner 15-yard run with 7:12 left to extend the lead to 25-7 with the Juan Anguiano PAT. The Beavers ensuing drive took them down to the Holcomb 19, but a turnover on downs late would give the ball to the Longhorns.With 1:07 left, the final dagger was put in on a 14-yard touchdown run by Cosner to extend the lead to 32-7.
Cooper Cranston rushed for 208 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown run. He also added 115 passing yards on 4-6 passing with a tocudhwon. Korbin Johnson led the team with 71 receiving yards on three receptions and a touchdown. Holcomb finished with 208 rushing yards and 161 passing yards for a total of 469 yards.
Drew Metzger threw for 169 yards on 17-27 passing with three interceptions. The leading receiver was Peyton Bergner, who hauled in five catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. Matthew Wheeler led the ground game wiht 73 yards on 20 carries. The Beavers had 368 yards of offense, with 213 coming through the air.
Holcomb is 6-0 for the first time since 2016, and its the first time since 2017 they were 3-0 in district play. Scott City is 0-2 in district play for the first time since 2005. It’s also the first time they’ve lost to the Longhorns in the regular season at home. Holcomb’s two wins at Darner Field were in the playoffs. Scott City leads the all-time series 21-7
At 6-0 overall and 3-0 in district play, Holcomb will have a chance to wrap up the district title at Hugoton next Friday. The Eagles are 6-0 ovearll and 2-0 in district play after a 35-7 non-district win at Cimarron on Friday. Scott City is 0-2 in district play and 3-2 overall, as they face Goodland, who dropped to 2-4 overall and 0-2 in district play after a 28-24 loss at Colby.
Coach Jim Turner Postgame
Box Score
Holcomb 0 6 12 14–32
Scott City 0 0 0 7–7
Scoring Summary
2nd QTR
Hol 6:55 Korbin Johnson 12 Yard Pass from Cooper Cranston (PAT Failed) 6-80, 2:35
3rd QTR
Hol 5:54 Chasyn Cosner 34 Yard Run (PAT Failed) 4-49, 1:15
Hol 39.7 Cranston 82 Yard Run (2PT Conv. Failed) 2-81, 1:08
4th QTR
SC 11:51 Peyton Bergner 44Yard Pass from Cayden Couchman (Pablo Solis Kick) 3-63, :48
Hol 7:12 Cosner 15 Yard Run (Juan Anguiano Kick) 5-41, 2:06
Hol 1:07 Cosner 14 Yard Run (Anguiano Kick) 6-91, 1:52
Holcomb
Rushing
Cooper Cranston 16-208; Chasyn Cosner 8-93; Ryan Wickwar 2-9; Korbin Johnson 2-(-2); Total: 28-308
Passing
Cooper Cranston 4-6 115 1-0; Ryan Wickwar 5-11 46 0-1
Receiving
Korbin Johnson 3-71; Javid Corral 1-44; Clay Tolbert 3-22; Cooper Cranston 1-15; Luke Thyne 1-9
Total Yards: 469
Scott City
Rushing
Matthew Wheeler 20-73; Cayden Couchman 9-52; Drew Metzger 8-17; Peyton Bergner 6-13; Total: 43-155
Passing
Drew Metzger 17-27 169 0-3; Cayden Couchman 1-1 44 1-0
Receiving
Peyton Bergner 5-73; Adan Tarango 3-48; Cooper Irvin 4-41; Cayden Couchman 3-25; Mickey Gossman 2-25; Matthew Wheeler 1-(-2)
Total Yards: 368
