Wellington’s John Michael Holcomb (10) ran for 226 yards with four touchdowns in the Skyrockets 60-41 win over Panhandle. [Mackenzie Teal/ Press Pass Sports]
Wellington’s John Michael Holcomb didn’t play in the first half of the Skyrockets nondistrict showdown against No. 5 Panhandle from Class 2A Division I on Friday night.
But that didn’t stop the Texas Tech commit from being the difference maker in the No. 7 Skyrockets 60-41 shootout win in front of a packed house at Panthers Stadium.
Holcomb was suspended for the first two quarters after being ejected last week for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty last week against West Texas High.
After watching his teammates head to the locker room, trailing 21-20 to Panhande, Holcomb was ready to make his presence felt.
“I was pacing on the sideline,” Holcomb said. “I just couldn’t wait to get out there, I couldn’t stand watching.”
Holcomb lined up at quarterback on the opening play of the third quarter, took the snap from shotgun and went untouched 59 yards for a touchdown, putting the Wellington up 28-21. A lead the Skyrockets wouldn’t relinquish the rest of the contest.
Holcomb continued his strong running on the ensuing drive. He broke loose for 30 yards down to the Panthers 22-yard line. On the next play, Holcomb found pay-dirt again, running untouched from 22-yards out, extending the lead, 36-21 after a 2-point conversion.
“Jose Tellez was the one that started taking snaps for us as a running back under center,” Holcomb said. “It’s a powerhouse set. It takes some speed but credit goes to our line. They were opening holes. There wasn’t anyone in my way.”
In just two quarters of football, Holcomb had his most explosive night of the season, rushing for a career-high 226 yards on 15 carries with four total touchdowns.
“We have a good senior class,” Wellington head coach Greg Proffitt said. “John’s certainly the leader. He was a great teammate all week. But we’re not surrounded by him. We have a lot of guys that can play and we proved it tonight.”
Panhandle’s Wesley Jones threw for 298 yards with fou
OFFENSIVE BARRAGE
This game between two of the best small school teams in the Texas Panhandle saw plenty of offense. Wellington and Panhandle combined for 101 points, and a combined 1,012 total offensive yards.
In the third quarter alone, the two teams combined for 46 points, with Wellington putting up 32 of those.
Wesley Jones did have a big night through the air for Panhandle, throwing for 298 yards and four touchdowns.
Wellington’s Marc Ramirez hurdles Panhandle’s Houston Heck on Friday night. [Mackenzie Teal/ Press Pass Sports]
GROUND ATTACK
Out of Wellington’s 509 total yards, the Skyrockets hit the Panthers up front with 421 rushing yards. Holcomb did lead the team with 226 yards, however, teammate Jaden Combs added 76 yards, followed by Marc Ramirez with 68.
UP NEXT
Both teams will head into the bye week before opening their respective district schedules. Wellington has found new life after a lopsided loss to Abernathy, going into district at 4-1.
Panhandle suffers its first loss of the season, heading into the bye week with a 4-1 mark.
Wellington 6 14 32 8 — 60
Panhandle 14 7 12 8 — 41
Top performers
Wellington
Rushing: John Michael Holcomb 15-226.
Passing: Creighton Killian 4-6-1-62.
Receiving: Creed Riley 4-61.
Panhandle
Rushing: Houston Heck 15-101.
Passing: Wesley Jones 23-33-1-298.
Receiving: Landon Hack 5-105
