Marengo’s Josh Holst scores 4 TDs as Indians run away from Johnsburg in KRC-opening victory

MARENGO – Marengo sophomore quarterback Josh Holst threw for three touchdowns and ran for one more as the Indians ran away from Johnsburg, 40-0, on Friday in their Kishwaukee River Conference season opener at Rod Poppe Field.

Holst, who started two postseason games for the Indians as a freshman, was sharp in his first start of the COVID-19 shortened season, completing 10 of 14 passes for 155 yards. His 1-yard quarterback sneak with 4:33 to go in the third quarter gave Marengo (1-0 overall, 1-0 KRC) a 40-point cushion and a running clock.

All three of Holst’s touchdown tosses required some nifty manuevering from his receivers.

With 2:11 left in the first quarter, Holst connected with Josh Bibbings (46 yards receiving) on a 29-yard touchdown grab, with Bibbing adjusting as the ball was in the air, turning around at the last second and catching it in the front of the end zone.

Michael Jennett (66 yards receiving) came up with a one-handed catch in the back of the end zone in the second quarter for an 18-yard score, pushing Marengo’s lead to 27-0 with 9:25 before halftime. Jennett beat two defenders for the ball, reaching out and snagging the ball with one hand as he was going to the ground.

Holst’s third and final touchdown pass was a 17-yard strike to Eli Garza with less than 10 seconds until the half. Holst’s fired a bullet into the end zone between two Skyhawks’ defenders.

Marengo opened the scoring on a 1-yard run by junior Dylan Stolz with 5:42 left in the first quarter. Stolz finished with 52 yards on 18 carries for the Indians. The Indians other score came on a 17-yard run by Mitch Kunde, who started games at quarterback last season. Kunde also had an electric 52-yard run on the scoring drive and finished with a game-high 109 yards on only four carries.

Marengo held Johnsburg to only 55 first-half yards and the Indians’ defense came up with four turnovers in the game.

Landon Oine had an interception to set up Jennett’s score in the second quarter. Jennett added an interception against Johnsburg quarterback Ian Boal, and Cole Nolen had a fumble recovery, and Collin Aubry had a blocked punt that set up Holst’s final touchdown.

Boal completed 9 of 21 passes for 64 yards and two interceptions. Austin Gibbs led the Skyhawks rushing attack with 46 yards on 15 carries. Jake Metze had six catches for 62 yards receiving.

Marengo will play at defending Class 4A state champion Richmond-Burton in Week 2, while the Skyhawks will look to win their first game of the season when they meet Woodstock in Johnsburg.

Marengo 40, Johnsburg 0

Johnsburg 0 0 0 0 – 0

Marengo 14 19 7 0 – 40

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING–Johnsburg: Hull 2-minus 1, Gibb 15-46, Metze 1-minus 2, I. Boal 2-4, Team 2-minus 15. Totals: 22-32. Marengo: Stolz 7-52, Kunde 10-109, Trotz 2-10, Holst 9-25, Steele 2-2, Team 2-minus 10. Totals: 32-188.

PASSING–Johnsburg: I. Boal 9-19-2-84. Marengo: Holst 10-14-0-155, Kunde 0-2-0-0.

RECEIVING–Johnsburg: Car. Piggott 1-8, Cad. Piggott 1-5, Metze 6-64, Hull 1-7. Marengo: Jennett 4-66, Heinberg 1-21, Bibbings 3-46, Mirtl 1-5, Garza 1-17.

TOTAL YARDS: Johnsburg 116, Marengo 343.

First quarter

Mgo–Stolz 1 run (Slavin kick), 5:42

Mgo–Bibbings 29 pass from Holst (Slavin kick), 2:11

Second quarter

Mgo–Kunde 17 run (kick blocked), 11:50

Mgo–Jennett 18 pass from Holst (Slavin kick), 9:25

Mgo–Garza 17 pass from Holst (kick missed), 0:07

Third quarter

Mgo–Holst 1 run (Slavin kick), 4:33