Holt Gets on Track Against Francis Howell North

Holt got back on track in impressive fashion Friday in its homecoming football game against .

The Indians, despite entering the contest having lost four of five games to start the season, made short work of the visiting Knights with a 37-12 win before a big crowd at Soby Field.

"It wasn't the win as much as how we won and what we were able to do offensively, defensively and on special teams," Holt's first-year coach Ken Moore said. "All that stuff we felt somewhat came together tonight. We're still not perfect, but we're getting better."

Freshman quarterback Devin Pettit led the way offensively while senior Clint Koons was the Indians' standout defensive player. Together, they helped the Indians mount a 30-0 halftime lead.

Pettit converted 11 of his 13 passes attempts and threw touchdowns to three different receivers in Michael Carter, Trent Harvill and Jeff Deuser.

"We've been trying to get him to execute better and tonight was a good night for him," Moore said of Pettit. "Our senior wide receivers all had a good night too, and it's awesome to see all of them get a touchdown."

Koons, whose defense did not allow a Francis Howell North first down until the final play of the first half, scored his first career touchdown just before halftime when he returned Mark Cushing's second blocked punt of the night five yards to the end zone.

"It's was a great play by Cushing and a lucky bounce to me," Koons said. "I'm just glad we got a big win in our homecoming game."

Holt junior Travion Vaughn netted 33 of his 55 total yards on a single run - a touchdown scamper that opened the scoring in the final minute of the first quarter.

Howell North, which fell to 1-5 overall, broke the shutout in the fourth quarter when Terron Givans got loose on a 40-yard touchdown run. Knights quarterback Justin Hayden later connected with Davon McClelland on an 18-yard touchdown pass to cap the scoring.

"It's just kind of been one of those seasons for us," Howell North coach John Brune said. "We give the other team the ball in the red zone three times and it turns into 21 points real quick. That's what you can't do. We're struggling but we're finding a lot of positives we're trying to build on. The kids aren't quitting and are still playing hard. I think we can still do some good things and find some success down the stretch. We've just got to come back Monday and keep working."

Holt improved to 2-4 overall and 2-3 in Gateway Athletic Conference South play and will begin district play in Class 5 next Friday at Fort Zumwalt South.

Francis Howell North, which fell to 1-5 and 0-3, will next play Troy before beginning play in its Class 6 district.