Sabetha hosted the 3-2 Holton Wildcats last Friday, Oct. 5, in another Big Seven match-up. The Jays took control of the game early.   Holton’s high-powered run game was shut out from the end zone and held to just 132 yards rushing in the 31-0 Sabetha win.

“Our defense played very well,” said Head Coach Garrett Michael, “and it all starts up front.”

Both offenses sputtered to start the contest with the Jays’ first two possessions ending in a punt and a fumble that was recovered by Holton, and the Wildcats ran three plays and punted.

Junior Gabe Garber put the Bluejays on the board first with just under five minutes to play in the first quarter, capping off an 11-play, 54-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run. Senior Braeden Cox’s kick was good, and Sabetha led 7-0 at the end of the first.

Holton had the possession to start the second quarter and marched the ball down the field from their own 26 to inside Sabetha’s 5-yard line.

Safety Drew Schmelzle had a sack for a loss, pushing the Wildcats to the 5, and the defense held.

“We had a tremendous goal line stand,” Coach Michael said.

Joseph Gruber added a 3-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to put the Jays up by two possessions. Sabetha’s offense went to the air with more frequency in the last two contests, and Garber connected with receiver Ryan Stapleton for a 50-yard pass for a touchdown with a minute left in the half. The Jays led 21-0 at the break.

“When Holton has to double defensive linemen, our other guys have more space to make plays,” Coach Michael said.

Both teams were held scoreless in the third quarter, but Sabetha got more points on the board in the fourth.

“The special teams were special again with our return game giving us good field position and Braeden Cox kicked a 39-yard field goal,” Coach Michael said.

Cox has been automatic as of late and hit the 39-yarder early in the fourth quarter.

Gruber added his second touchdown of the night with 5:43 left in the game, and the Bluejays cruised to a 31-0 victory.

Sabetha improves to 6-0 and will host 4-2 Wamego this Friday, Oct. 12.

“This will be a difficult test for us,” Coach Michael said. “They have quite a few playmakers and their returners are dangerous. We will have to play physical, win the time of possession and eliminate turnovers.”