Watching Cato-Meridian football this season, it wasn't hard to pick out the best player on the field. The unusual thing was, it was on both sides of it, which is why he was an easy selection for The Citizen's Football Player of the Year.

Offensively and defensively, the Blue Devils' senior was getting it done in just about every game. At running back, Holt pummeled opponents to the tune of 1,503 yards and 12 touchdowns. At the linebacker position, all he did was lead the team in tackles by being seemingly everywhere on the field. One would think that Holt's preference would be the hitter, not the one getting tackled.

“It's fun to hit people,” said the senior. “But I love getting hit. I don't know why, I just do.”

Maybe because it wasn't that often. Holt will be the first one to say that his big and powerful offensive line opened up gaping holes for him all season and on the rare occasions when they didn't, he was just able to find one, or two, on his own.

“Those guys just stepped up,” Holt said. “They did what they had to do all year, they were awesome.”

Cody Humberstone, Ben Kline, Matt Schmitt, Ethan Pratt and RC Gratton certainly deserve a hand in some of Holt's success, but there is no denying his athletic prowess. A wrestler in the winter, admiringly so he can stay in shape for football, he has been on of the top grapplers on a loaded team. In the spring, he plays golf for his “cool down sport.”

So when the averaged-sized Holt, who averaged 80-90 yards a game in 2007, set a goal for himself to top 130 a game this season, it might have been a reach. That was, until he surpassed the mark in every game but the Blue Devils' first - against then-defending state champion Bishop Ludden. Holt was the key ingredient to Cato-Meridian's 6-2 season, in which they lost their playoff game, but upended local rival Weedsport in Holt's final high school contest.

“This year felt good, but it was a little disappointing because of sectionals,” he said. “But if our two losses came against two teams that went to the (Carrier) Dome, its not that bad. I was glad to get that win (over Weedsport), they tried to get one on us, but we finished pretty well.”