Holly rolls by Lapeer West for fifth straight win
HOLLY— Back-to-back losses to Lapeer East and Swartz Creek may haunt Holly in the final Flint Metro League standings. But since that 0-2 start, the Bronchos have been downright scary.
Holly captured its fifth straight win Friday, all league games, to move into a first place tie in the nine-school FML with Ortonville Brandon. Holly must win in Week 9 at Brandon to secure its first league championship since 1952.
The Bronchos lost their first two games by a combined eight points, dropping a 30-29 decision to Lapeer East in the opener and a 34-27 setback to Swartz Creek in Week 2. They have since defeated five teams by a 129-49 margin, including wins over Fenton Linden and Lapeer West, three of the top teams in the preseason coaches’ poll.
“I think we learned from the first two games that we need to finish,” said Holly coach Ryan Culloty. “We made some mistakes in those games and it cost us. But I think that we have learned from those mistakes and it showed on the field.”
Against Lapeer West, Holly found itself in a 7-7 deadlock coming out of the locker room for the third quarter, but outscored the Panthers 13-0 after that point.
Junior quarterback Johnny Williams scored on a 30-yard run, although the kick failed leaving the advantage at 13-7 midway through the third frame. In the fourth quarter, Williams stuck again, this time on a 12-year run. Blake Ordiway nailed the extra point to cap the scoring and move Holly one win shy of its first league title in 59 years.
“Our D-Line has played very well the past few weeks,” said Culloty. “They have really tightened up and we have not been allowing teams to move the football.”
Holly has a non-league game Friday against Lansing Waverly (4-3) before a week 9 showdown with rival Ortonville Brandon.
“We kind of do control our own destiny. If we can win out, we’ll have at least a share of the league title,” said Culloty. “I think right now the guys are trying to downplay that a little bit. We’re just concentrating on Lansing Waverly. If we beat them, then we’ll be in the playoffs. We beat them by a point last season. They are a good team with a nice mix and speed and size. We cannot look past them at all.”
Williams finished the night against Lapeer West with 178 yards rushing on 25 carries while he passed for 114 yards on a 9-for-15 performance.
Austin Hopkin gave Holly a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when he collected a 12-yard strike from Williams.
“Johnny Williams has a great sense for the game. He has bee a big part of all of this,” praised Culloty. “Austin Hopkin is a receiver-defensive back that has been a leader on both sides of the ball. These guys have become leaders and everyone is doing their part.”
Lapeer West (4-3, 4-3) clawed back when Michael Ledington scored on a 5-yard scamper and nailed the extra point. The Panthers would not score again.
RUNNING TOWARDS PAYDIRT: Holly's Johnny Williams and the Bronchos rolled past Lapeer West Friday and are now one win away from the the Flint Metro League championship. File Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com
FLINT METRO LEAGUE
FOOTBALL STANDINGS
SCHOOL CON ALL
Holly 5-2 5-2
Ortonville Brandon 5-2 5-2
Fenton 4-2 5-2
Lapeer East 4-2 5-2
Linden 4-2 4-3
Swartz Creek 3-3 4-3
Lapeer West 3-3 4-3
Flint Kearsley 1-5 1-6
Clio 0-7 0-7
To submit information to www.northoaklandsports.com, e-mail dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com. To advertise, e-mail advertising@northoaklandsports.com . Follow us on Twitter @LocalSportsFans and more than a dozen other social media networks.
Category: High School, High School (M-Z), Holly, Prep Wraps, Uncategorized
