By ADAM WELCH
pressbox1.com

JACKSON, Tenn. - Many questions were being asked about the Huntingdon Mustangs' chances coming into Friday’s first-round state playoff game at heavily-favored USJ. Most thought that USJ’s high-powered offense would be too much to overcome. Some thought the Mustangs didn’t even deserve to make the playoffs. But after a solid 28-14 victory over Adamsville to end the regular season, Huntingdon shocked everyone but themselves Friday night.

The the biggest shocker here Friday night may have been the record-setting performance of Huntingdon junior running back DeShawn Holder, or shall we saw Kennon "Record" Holder. He rushed for 503 yards and six touchdowns and shattered the mark of 477 yards set by Jack Keisling of Livingston Academy vs. Gordonsville in 1948.

As a result, Huntingdon came away with a shocking 63-28 upset victory over the host Bruins in the first-round of the Class 2A state playoffs. Holder had touchdown runs of 33, 43 and 50 yards in the first half.

“We started getting some confidence," said first-year Huntingdon coach Eric Swenson. "Confidence in a young team goes a long way.”

Sophomore Brittain Thompson's impact defensively and on special teams my have been overshadowed by Holder's performance, especially in the second quarter. His effort may have opened the floodgates for Huntingdon.

After a Mustang fumble resulted in an Austin Martindale recovery for a touchdown, Thompson took the ensuing kickoff back to the USJ 18 yard line. Then on third-and-goal with less than 2:00 until half, The mustangs shocked the Bruins. USJ stacked the box and the Bruins seemed to be looking for Holder to get the nod. Instead, quarterback Colin Hatch found Caleb Crocker wide open in the flat on the play-action for the touchdown.

This concluded the first half shootout as Holder finished with 245 yards and Huntingdon held a 35-24 lead. The Mustang defensive pressure up front also was essential as it forced sophomore quarterback Jake Overbey into three first-half interceptions.

“We wanted to be physical with them," Swenson said. "Coach Miller and the rest of the staff had a good defensive game plan for them.”

Huntingdon set the tone for the second half with dominant play up front that kept the Bruin offense on the sideline. Huntingdon’s drive lasted almost 7 minutes using 13 plays for 80 yards where gaping holes were opened up for Crocker and Holder to churn up yardage. This set up Holder’s 29 yard touchdown run.

After USJ answered with a score, the Mustangs made the Bruin task tougher. On fourth-and-one. Holder took the pitch on the toss sweep right for the touchdown to give Huntingdon a commanding 51-31 lead.

Later in the fourth quarter, Holder added an exclamation point breaking free 67 yards untouched up the right sideline for the score.

With the game all but over and less than two minutes to go in the game the Mustangs had one more opportunity. Swenson opted to pull his starters in a classy move, as the mustangs were about to score. They took the quarterback kneel to run out the clock and sent Huntingdon to a thrilling 63-38 victory.

Up next Huntingdon will entertain JCS in second round of the TSSAA state 2A football playoffs.

“JCS is a very good football team. It’ll be another challenge," Swenson said. "They’re spread team also. We’re a young football team and happy to still be playing.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. next Friday at Paul Ward Stadium. Admission is $7.