Deep Dive Preview: Hayden at Holton

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week, I will be scouting in Holton as the Wildcats (3-2) host the Hayden Wildcats (4-1) in a Class 3A district contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two teams love to run the football so I am expecting a fast-moving, hard-hitting affair. I had to look it up, but multiple wildcats are known as a "Destruction." Well, these two teams will look to destroy the other on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayden and Holton have both rushed for over 1,000 yards through five games. Running backs and linebackers in this contest could post some head-scratching numbers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a deep-dive preview of six prospects expected to play in this game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402155' first='Jude' last='Krentz'],</strong> LB, 5'9”, 170, Hayden, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the Hayden defenders who will look to slow down the Holton run game is Krentz. The junior linebacker is currently ranked No. 106 overall in the class of 2026. He leads the team in tackles with 49. I have seen Krentz practice and on film, but looking forward to seeing in-game action for the first time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1264514' first='Jackson' last='McGivern'], </strong>LB/RB, 5'10”, 190, Hayden, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McGivern is a gritty athlete contributing on both sides of the ball for Hayden. He is currenlty ranked No. 162 overall by Prep Redzone. He is the second leading rusher for Hayden gaining 206 yards on 33 carries. He has found the end zone four times on the ground. &nbsp;He has collected 26 total tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='716114' first='Jett' last='Wahlmeier'], </strong>QB, 5'10”, 185, Hayden, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The difference in this game could come down to which team has more success in the air. Wahlmeier has thrown for 684 and eight touchdowns, while Holton has a whopping total of 13 yards through the air. I scouted one of Hayden's early practices and was impressed with how quickly Wahlmeier releases the ball. He will have to make quick decisions against an aggressive Holton defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115433' first='Kyler' last='Jackson'],</strong> RB, 5'1”, 175, Holton, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson is the leading rusher for Holton through five games. He has carried the ball 76 times for 406 yards. He has found the end zone five times for the Wildcats. Defensively he recorded 42 tackles, forced one fumble, and recovered a fumble. Jackson is currently ranked No. 417 overall by Prep Redzone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1311569' first='Korban' last='Wilson']</strong>, K/RB, 6'0”, 185, Holton, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson is listed as a kicker in our ranking and is ranked No. 173 overall. He has converted 14-of-17 extra point attempts and was successful on his lone field goal attempt. He is another of the Wildcat backs with 200-plus rushing yards. He has scored five touchdowns on the ground for Holton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bodie Dillon,</strong> QB, 6'0”, 175, Holton, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dillon is an unranked prospect taking snaps for Holton. He is more of a threat with his legs than his arm in Holton's offensive scheme. He has toted the rock 32 times and gained 253 yards. Wait for it . . . he has five rushing touchdowns. Holton's backs are unselfish when it comes to capping-off scoring drives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->