In a game that saw good offense at times, good defense at times and everything in between, the Holton Wildcats used a potent rushing attack that resulted in 28-14 win on the road Friday night at Nemaha Central.

The Wildcats rushed for 307 yards in the contest and went on two long drives in the first half to jump out on top and lead 14-0 at halftime.

Holton’s opening possession could not have started any better as the Wildcats went on an eight-play, 64-yard drive that ended with a Canon Karn 14-yard run to jump out to a quick 7-0 lead.

After a three-and-out and a beautiful punt from the Thunder’s Trenton Schmitz which was downed at the three, the Wildcats went on a 14-play, 97-yard drive that was capped off by a Konnor Tannahill 6-yard run giving Holton a 14-0 lead at the break.

Nemaha Central came out of the halftime break and got quickly back within one score on a 37-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Schultejans to Austin Ahlquist making it 14-6.

Holton had an answer though, as the Wildcats went on a 12-play, 65-yard drive and got Tannahill’s second rushing touchdown of the game on a 4-yard run to jump back up 21-6 late in the third.

After forcing a punt, the Wildcats put the game away for good as on the first play of the fourth quarter as Taygen Fletcher went 40 yards to the house for his first touchdown and put Holton up 28-6.

Nemaha Central picked up one more score on the night on a Gage Palic 2-yard run, but it came with just 2:51 remaining and after Holton recovered an onside kick, they were able to ice the clock away.

The Wildcats overcame 10 penalties for 76 yards and were led on the ground by Konnor Tannahill who rushed 19 times for 131 yards and two touchdowns while Taygen Fletcher added 86 yards and a score.

Nemaha Central had just 191 total yards of offense in the loss with Dylan Schultejans doing most of that through the air as he completed 12 passes for 146 yards and one score while Austin Ahlquist caught five passes for 74 yards and one touchdown.

Holton (2-1) now gets set for a home game against Hiawatha next week while the Thunder (1-2) will open up district play at Horton.