Going into the 2020 high school football season DeWitt was coming off of a 10-3 record that saw them lose in the State Semifinals. They thought they had their starting quarterterback, but weren’t ready for the competition that was getting ready to unfold.
Ty Holtz wasn’t the Quarterback for DeWitt in 2019, that honor was Grant Uyl’s, but Holtz wasn’t going to go easy as that isn’t how he is. He’s a fighter, just like his mom who beat cancer twice. Compared to that, a quarterback competition wasn’t anything. According to Holtz ,“My mom really taught me how to handle adversity.” He went on to say when Covid came and shut down the season after he was named the starter, he was prepared to lead his team any way possible. Holtz went on to say that he and the other captains were able to keep everyone on track, and keep the team’s eye on the goal.
That goal was a state title which would be the first for the school and coach who had been there six times before. Holtz did mention that leading up to that game they had former players call and text Coach (Rob) Zimmerman. He then said that the community was behind them also and that was huge for the team.
Heading into the game Holtz said the team knew it was going to be a fight, but he had faith in his team that they would overcome. He went back to what had gained him attention and the accolades, like being a finalist for the Mr. Football Award and AP Player of the Year for division three in Michigan, that’s the lessons his mom instilled in him of hard work and leadership. Well, the hard work paid off big time in that game as Holtz was able to dissect the Rouge defense on the way to 12/16 passing for 177 yards and four touchdowns while adding another 118 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries on the way to a 40-30 win over the defending division three champions.
Holtz will be heading into his senior season next year with a good shot to defend as State Champions, and with the work ethic and comps to Baker Mayfield, Holtz and DeWitt will be a force next season.