Local Sports Journal

After a four-year hiatus, the traveling “football trophy” has returned to Holton, thanks to the Red Devils’ 26-24 win Friday night against visiting Hesperia.

Holton took care of business late with a 5-yard scoring run by Tirzo Angiano with just over a minute left to play.

“It’s a great feeling,” said first-year Holton coach Jack Nummerdor. “We haven’t seen it (traveling trophy) in four years and it’s especially nice to see it on my first year here.”

The winning Holton drive looked as though it was over not long before the winning run.

Facing a fourth-and-12, Tristen Anderson connected on a 25-yard pass from senior quarterback Hayden Cregg.

Cregg led the Red Devil with 293 yards on 9-of-10 passing along with a pair of TDs. He also compiled 122 yards on the ground and a 16-yard scoring run.

“He’s a good player no doubt about that,” said Hesperia coach Aaron Sims. “On the final drive we had them and we had pressure on the quarterback (Cregg), but he’s a good athlete. He scrambled to his left, our defensive back had good coverage, started to press the line of scrimmage and he just threw it over their heads.”

The even game was tied 6-6 at halftime. Hesperia took advantage in the third quarter with a pair of touchdowns and a safety to lead 24-20 heading into the final quarter.

Hesperia was led on the night by sophomore Brandon Gowens with 202 yards rushing on 21 attempts. He finished with a pair of touchdowns and 19 tackles on defense.

Joe Allen also led the Panther’s ground attack with 135 yards rushing on 13 carries including a 55-yard TD run.

Holton’s Jake Bowden put up an 80-yard touchdown reception from Cregg. Tristen Anderson also connected with Cregg on a 54-yard air strike for the score.

Holton was led on defense by Mason Butchart with seven tackles and a pair of sacks. Zack Persian had seven tackles and a sack while Bowden had seven tackles.

Hesperia freshman Andrew Gents had 12 tackels and Tyler Quinn had eight.