Holtville Keeps the Axe, Wins 35-19 Against Calipatria

WORDS & PHOTOS BY LUKE PHILLIPS

   The Holtville Vikings dominated over the Calipatria Hornets on the gridiron at Holtville High School Thursday night, winning the annual Axe Game 35-19 to keep the axe in Holtville for another year. After a scoreless first quarter, Holtville made three touchdowns in quick succession in the second quarter, followed by one touchdown from Calipatria, putting the score at 21-7 going into half-time.

   The Hornets managed one more touchdown during the third quarter, but couldn't hold off Holtville as the Vikings scored twice more in the fourth to put the final score at 35-19.

   The game was a rough one with two of the Vikings sustaining minor injuries and one Calipatria player being taken off the field in an ambulance after suffering an apparent neck or back injury.

   It was also a treat to see a military osprey aircraft fly low over the game with green tracer lights on the tips of their propellers, creating giant green circles in the sky. Guess they must be Vikings fans!