Sep. 18—The Mayo High School football team has lofty goals this season.
A Big Southeast District title, a deep playoff run and of course, keeping ahold of the Addington Jug.
Well, Mayo is now one step closer to keeping that glorious Jug for the season as it ran away from Century 42-0 in a Big Southeast District matchup Friday night in front of a sold out crowd at Mayo High School Stadium.
The Spartans — ranked ninth in state Class AAAAA — led from start to finish to improve to 3-0 overall and 3-0 in the Big Southeast.
“We were locked in from the start,” Mayo receiver/defensive back Cayden Holcomb said. “We’re preparing all week for it. And we just couldn’t lose the jug. I think it’s the first time we’ve had it for — well, we still have to play (John Marshall) — but it would be the first time we have had it for two years in a row since 2017 I think.”
It was Holcomb that got the Spartans on the board first.
The senior receiver left his defender in the dust and found himself wide open in the end zone with a lovely double move that resulted in a 27-yard touchdown.
In fact, Holcomb was a force to be reckoned with throughout, as he also hauled in a 52-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. He had 107 yards receiving with two touchdowns on six receptions in the first half alone and finished with 138 yards on eight receptions.
“He seems to always find a way (to get open),” quarterback Bennett Ellsworth said.
Cayden’s younger brother, Carter, made it 14-0 when he took a bouncing punt 60 yards for a score as the first quarter clock expired. Carter scored again when he caught an eight-yard route, before shedding a tackle and going 39 yards to the house to make it 28-0 and give Ellsworth his third touchdown of the half.
It was another efficient day for Ellsworth. The senior quarterback finished 13-for-18 with 244 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
“We’re firing on all cylinders,” Ellsworth said.
The next Mayo possession saw Noah Smith join in on the fun with a 51-yard touchdown run to make it 35-0 right before the half. Smith had 107 yards rushing in the first half on just nine carries. Mayo had 314 yards of total offense and a 35-0 lead heading into the half.
“We all feel like we can’t be stopped,” Cayden Holcomb said. “I mean, if they double me, then Carter’s going to be open. If they try to bracket him then Spencer (Pearson) will come out of nowhere and get a 60-yard pass. And then Noah’s running the ball. It’s a lot of fun.”
“They are a super focused group,” coach Donny Holcomb said. “The kids are confident in each other and they went out, executed and just did what they came out to do.”
Meanwhile, Century’s offense was stuck in neutral most of the night.
The Panthers (0-3, 0-3) had just 36 total yards at the half and didn’t record a first down until nearly midway through the second quarter.
“We had some things that were there we felt,” Century coach Jon Vik said. “There were some things we didn’t execute that we thought we could have. But at the same time let’s give them the credit. They played a great defensive game, it was a shutout for a reason.”
The Panthers next host Mankato West Friday, while the Spartans will go for the city sweep and hope to hold onto the jug for another year when they play at John Marshall.
“We just have to keep focused,” Ellsworth said. “It’d be really special, but we just have to keep focused and come out like every game is a challenge.”
MAYO 42, CENTURY 0
Century 0-0-0-0—0
Mayo 14-21-7-0—42
First Quarter
M — Cayden Holcomb 27 pass from Bennett Ellsworth (Magnotto kick) 9:00.
M — Carter Holcomb 60 punt return (Magnotto kick) 0:00.
Second Quarter
M — Cayden Holcomb 52 pass from Ellsworth 9:30.
M — Carter Holcomb 39 pass (Magnotto kick) 5:22.
M — Noah Smith 51 run (Magnotto kick) 3:19.
Third Quarter
M — Rudy Lozoya 16 run (Magnotto kick) 8:30.
TEAM TOTALS
C — M
Total Net Yards 148 — 382
Rushes-Yards 27-114 — 28-141
Passing Yards 34 — 244
Comp.-att.-int. 6-25-0 — 13-18-1
Penalties-Yds. 3-19 — 5-44
Fumbles-lost 2-1 — 0-0
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
C: Ahmante Davis 8 carries-54 yards; Matt Haun 9-41; Cole Elbing 10-20; Jose Mares 1-5.
M: Noah Smith 13-115, 1 TD; LeBron See-Stadstad 7-13; Bennett Ellsworth 5 -(-)22; Rudy Lozoya 2-18, 1 TD; Carter Holcomb 1-6; Rees Grimsrud 1-0.
Passing
C: Matt Haun 3 comp.-17 att.-0 INT, 16 yards; Harrison Esau 3-5-0, 18. M: Bennett Ellsworth 13-18-1, 244, 3 TDs.
Receiving
C: Eli Thompson 1 rec.-10 yards; Griffin Langer 1-9; Ryann Lindner 1-6; Josh Berg 1-5; Jacob Wills 1-4; Damian Gerads 1-0.
M: Cayden Holcomb 8-138, 2 TD; Carter Holcomb 2-51, 1 TD; Spencer Pearson 3-56.