MONTEZUMA – The Baxter Bolts are aptly named – strong-armed throwers who send lightning strikes out to a bevy of receivers who run precise routes and can get yards after catches.
They found out Friday that you dare not spot Montezuma quarterback Brady Boulton an early two-touchdown lead. He has happy feet.
VERY happy feet – and he can make you chase him around all night.
Montezuma ended up on top 55-44 in this non-district thriller which should have been an excellent preparation for the post-season.
Baxter put up big numbers – as in those 44 points in total, including 30 in a rousing second quarter.
The Bolts got as close as four points – at 48-44 after scoring on the first play of the fourth quarter – after trailing 14-0 after one quarter, 34-30 at halftime and 48-36 after three.
But they never caught up to Boulton and his gang of assassins. The Brady bunch was just too quick on one play, too physical on another.
Boulton rushed for five touchdowns, on carries of 24, 11, 45, 67 and 39 yards. He totaled 239 yards on 14 rushes, 17.1 per attempt. The five touchdowns totaled 186 yards alone.
Boulton is quicker than a lizard’s tongue, and his big and rangy offensive linemen protect him like he was the gold at Fort Knox. They didn’t hold off defenders in this game – they knocked them down while Boulton darted around them, then hit the afterburners.
Montezuma scored eight rushing touchdowns in this game. Fullback Brett Plants scored on runs of two and 23 yards and halfback Broox Stockman scored from nine yards out.
Boulton and David Rose intercepted passes and deep back Luke Brennan had a great pass knock down in the end zone.
The Braves outscored the Bolts 21-14 in the second half to pull away at the end after Baxter almost caught them after three quarters.
The win lifted Montezuma to 7-1 on the season and the Braves already are a Class 8 district champion.
Baxter fell to 3-4.
UP NEXT – The Braves close out district play next Friday at winless Twin Cedars.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Baxter 0 30 6 8 – 44
Montezuma 14 20 14 7 – 56
Braves passing – Brady Boulton 3-8, 27 yards.
Rushing – Boulton 14-239, 5 touchdowns; Brett Plants 13-73, 2 touchdowns; Broox Stockman 11-51, one touchdown. Team total – 38-328, 8 touchdowns.
Receiving – Rose 2-12; Stockman 1-15.
Tackles – Stockman 11.5 with (6) solo, 1.0 sacks, 1.0 tackles for loss; Brett Plants 9.0 (4), 0.5 tackles for loss; Luke Erselius 8.0 (4); Boultom 2.5 (2); Carter Michalek 2.5 (1); Rose 5.0 (3); Luke Brennan 3.5 (2); Rett Pargeon 3.5 (3); Lars Taylor 1.5 (1); Braxton Plants 3.0 (2), 1.0 sacks, 2.0 tackles for loss; Houston Van Roekel 0.5; Briar Simpson 5.0 (2); Blake Smith 0.5, 0.5 TFL. Team totals – 56.0 (30), 2.0 sacks, 4.0 TFL.
Interceptions – Boulton 1.0, Rose 1.0.
Kickoff returns – Rose 2-38; Boulton 1-8; Erselius 1-4.
Kicking – Alex Becerril 9 kickoffs, 2 touchbacks, 420 yards. PATs – 7-8.
Punts – Boulton 1-30.
