Homecoming victory keeps Tigercats undefeated in league

Homecoming week for the LaCrosse-Washtucna/Kahlotus football team ended with a 62-20 victory over the Colton Wildcats on Friday, Sept. 28. The Tigercats remain undefeated in the Southwest 1B league, defeating both league teams by over 40 points.

Head coach Jeff Nelson said the team thrived defensively and were able to shut down the Wildcat offense with constant pressure.

“We took it to them,” Nelson said. “The defense set the tone. We spread out the passing attack and had to pressure their quarterback.”

Senior player, Johnathan Holdren fought through the Wildcat offensive line, ending up in the backfield all night and earning six sacks. With constant defensive pressure, the Tigercats maintained a consistent lead throughout the game.

The Tigercats worked on their running game throughout the night, rarely going to the air for yardage. Quarterback Joey Guske completed four of six passes and came through on two fourth-down plays to help earn points for the Tigercats.

Sawyer Hostetler had an outstanding night with five touchdowns and also served as the Washtucna homecoming king. Hostetler had 29 carries for a total of 276 yards on the night.

Scoring started early for the Tigercats when Hostetler ran in a 60-yard touchdown during the first quarter. Hostetler would then score the second touchdown for the Tigercats in the first, with the two-point conversion being completed with a pass from Guske to Sam Harder.

After holding the Wildcats scoreless in the first quarter, the Colton team earned the first points in the second.

Quarterback Jake Straughan snuck past the Tigercat defensive for a one-yard run but the two-point attempt run failed for the Colton team.

The Tigercats quickly answered the second quarter score with a 25-yard run by Holdren, who also ran in the extra points play.

“Our pass coverage was phenomenal,” Nelson said. “We didn’t give up any long passes and made the tackle right on the spot.”

With a 22-6 lead at halftime, the Tigercats returned to the field to double the score. Hostetler scored all three touchdowns for the Tigercats in the third quarter with three running plays. Harder converted the first two-point play while Alec Fleming earned four points with the two other conversions.

Hostetler’s touchdowns were interrupted by one Colton touchdown and a two-point play. Straughan earned the touchdown off of a 45-yard run and the team earned two-points with a Straughan pass to Zach Devorak.

The fourth quarter scoring began with a Straughan touchdown off of an 18-yard run. The Wildcats failed to earn the extra points and remained scoreless the rest of the quarter.

Guske connected with Harder on a 20-yard pass for a Tigercat touchdown while Holdren ran in the extra point play.

The highlight of the game occurred in the final minute when Fleming intercepted the ball in the Tigercats own end zone and scored off of an 102-yard run with six seconds remaining the game. Guske completed a pass to Holdren to put the final points on the board and give the Tigercats the homecoming win.

After walking away with the win, Nelson wants the team to focus on reducing turnovers. The Tigercats had three fumbles during the Colton game and Nelson said it has become a reoccurring problem.

“It’s been a focus since the first game. We have to quit giving other teams opportunities,” Nelson explained about the constant fumbles.

The Tigercats are now preparing to face Pomeroy on Friday, Oct. 5, at Pomeroy High School. Nelson said the Pomeroy team significantly out sizes the Tigercats and the quarterback is quick.

“We need to make him try to throw instead of take off and run. We’ve got to get the ball out of his hands,” said Nelson. “They’re big and physical, we’re going to have to have better technique.”

The game begins at 7 p.m. and marks the third league game for the Tigercats football season.