Season review: Holt Indians
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The Holt High School football program has been on a steady rise over the past five years, from going 0-10 in 2015, to two wins in 2016, four wins in 2017 and 2018 to six wins in 2019. The 2020…
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Continue ReadingThe Holt High School football program has been on a steady rise over the past five years, from going 0-10 in 2015, to two wins in 2016, four wins in 2017 and 2018 to six wins in 2019.
The 2020 season, for all of its challenges, continued that trend and was a breakthrough campaign for coach Ethan Place’s program, which went 8-1 before the Indians were forced to forfeit due to issues with COVID-19.
“We started to become more of a complete football team this year, in all three phases – offense, defense and special teams,” Place said.
“We were playing our best ball” when the season ended, the coach added.
The good news is after establishing themselves as one of the St. Louis area’s better squads in 2020, the Wentzville school could be even better in 2021 with a large group of key players returning.
Here’s a look at some of Holt’s players to watch for the 2021 campaign…
Cooper Brown Cooper Brown 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Holt | 2022 State MO , QB, 6-3, 190, Class of 2022
Brown put up some of the best numbers in the state this fall, completing 69 percent of his passes for 2,057 yards, with 32 touchdowns against six interceptions.
“He’s the triggerman for the offense and had a great season,” Place said. “… We were very efficient throwing the football. We didn’t just sling it around all game.”
Place said he thinks Brown is a Division I prospect and college interest is starting to come in. Brown has been hitting the showcase circuit this offseason, including the Prep Redzone Missouri Showcase last month, and will be a quarterback who impresses with his size and all-around skill set.
Jackson Smith Jackson Smith 5'9" | 175 lbs | WR Holt | 2022 State MO , WR, 5-9, 170, Class of 2022
Brown’s favorite target this fall was Smith, who caught a team-high 59 passes for 714 yards and 12 touchdowns and added 198 yards rushing and four more scores. His 16 total touchdowns also led the Indians.
“He’s a lightning rod for us,” Place said. “He can run any route. He’s a very good route runner. He’s got great hands. … He can also play running back. He’s a punt returner.”
Colin Bunner, WR-OLB, 6-3, 190, Class of 2022
Bunner is an interesting two-way prospect from an athletic family with connections to the University of Missouri – Place said Bunner’s father was a wrestler for the Tigers and his mother played basketball there.
“He’s a difference maker on both sides of the ball,” Place said.
Bunner had 32 receptions for 765 yards — averaging 23.9 yards per catch — and 13 touchdowns this season. Defensively, he recorded 60 tackles, three sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery.
Alex Ginnever, TE/DE, 6-4, 220, Class of 2022
Ginnever was Holt’s third-leading receiver this past season. He caught 13 passes for 369 yards and three touchdowns. He also recorded six tackles and two sacks on defense.
“He’s got a high ceiling,” Place said. “He’s almost 6-5 now and weighs 220. He’s a tight end/receiver for us and he’ll play defensive end.”
Isaiah Slaughter Isaiah Slaughter 5'11" | 205 lbs | DB Holt | 2022 State MO , DB, 5-11, 200, Class of 2022
“He’s the quarterback of our defense,” Place said. “…He’s a physical safety. He’s good in coverage. He comes down into the box for us. He can hit.”
Slaughter ranked second on the team with 76 tackles.
Kaden Moore, LB, 6-0, 205, Class of 2023
Place said Moore, who led the Indians with 86 tackles and also recorded two sacks, was the team’s defensive most valuable player this season despite only being a sophomore.
“He’ll be a kid who can go anywhere he wants,” Place said.
Kyle Wuebbeling Kyle Wuebbeling 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Holt | 2022 State MO , RB-K, 5-11, 200, Class of 2022
Holt’s leading rusher, Wuebbeling had a hamstring issue this season, according to the coach, but still racked up 1,007 yards and 11 touchdowns on 126 carries in seven games. He also caught seven passes for 55 yards and a touchdown.
Wuebbeling should be one of the area’s better running backs in 2021.
“He could be a Division I kicker,” Place said. “He’s a lefty. His brother is a Division I lacrosse player.”
Dallas Winner-Johnson, WR-DB, 6-6, 200, Class of 2023
Just a sophomore, Winner-Johnson caught 10 passes for 142 and three touchdowns this past season and looks like he has a very bright future.
“He’s one of our outside receivers,” Place said. “He’s still growing into his body. He plays some safety as well. He’s a big cat.”
Zakhi Johnson, LB-RB, 5-11, 185, Class of 2022
Johnson ranked third on the team with 72 tackles and also added one sack. He also carried 26 times for 172 yards and three touchdowns.
“He can hit,” Place said. “He’s got great speed. He can run sideline to sideline. I think our linebacking corps is about as good as it gets in high school football.”
Richard Meyer, OLB-RB, 6-0, 185, Class of 2023
Meyer ranked third on the Indians with 65 tackles and also added one sack and one interception. He racked up 84 yards and a touchdown on just six carries.
“He played some running back for us, but he’s all over the place as a defensive player,” Place said. “… He chases down the ball carrier.”
Quinn Brown, OL, 6-3, 245, Class of 2023
The younger brother of Cooper, Holt’s quarterback, Quinn started every game at right tackle this past season as a sophomore and held his own at that spot.
“He’s still growing,” Place said. “… He’s got good feet and carries his weight well.”