Friday became a homecoming affair for the 6A Hamilton Huskies, who hosted the defending 5A champ, the Horizon Huskies.

The site was all too familiar for Horizon head coach Andy Litten, Hamilton’s former offensive coordinator. Unfortunately, Litten’s return turned bitter.

After a series of weather delays, Horizon struggled to find any rhythm offensively and its defense couldn’t stop Hamilton during a 66-21 blowout. The victory and ceremony for Hamilton football’s first senior class (2002) gave their fans plenty to celebrate on their Homecoming night.

After Horizon went three and out on its first possession, it only took three plays for Hamilton to score. Senior quarterback Roch Cholowsky connected with senior Jaxon Haynes on a screen pass that resulted in a 54-yard touchdown catch and run.

“It feels great going out there scoring on the first drive,” Cholowsky said. “We haven’t done it in each of our first three games. (It) started out slow every game and picked up later on, but I mean today scoring on every drive that we took in the first half, it was such a huge momentum swing.”

In their second drive, Cholowsky found Haynes again, scoring from four yards out.

With 8:02 left in the first quarter, things got uglier for Horizon. Trying to crack the defense of Hamilton was a tough task for Litten’s Huskies.

Almost every first quarter drive for Horizon ended with a punt. Cholowsky and Haynes completed the hat-trick in the first quarter, connecting on a 51-yard touchdown pass.

By the end of the first quarter, Hamilton was leading Horizon 35-0.

“We had the delay from the weather,” Hamilton offensive line coach Mark Tucker said. “So you know there’s always that concern that your guys will lose their mojo going into a game like this. Having an opponent that you know the coach, you kind of know his philosophy and their offense and things of that nature, our kids, man, they understood the mindset coming into this game.”

Hamilton kept pouring it on in the second quarter, when Cholowsky added two more touchdown passes, both to senior receiver Tré Spivey. Cholowsky threw for 266 yards and five touchdowns.

The senior quarterback also had a rushing touchdown. Haynes finished the night with six receptions for 144 yards and three touchdowns.

“We finally got the offense clicking,” Haynes, a slot receiver, said. “It took us a couple of games, but it’s always been there. We just finally got it going.”

Since its probation was lifted in late August, there has been nothing but high hopes for Hamilton football.

It improved to 3-1 heading into this week’s big matchup against defending 6A champ Highland. After back-to-back blowout performances, the Huskies may have found their offensive identity.

Their run game is a big reason why.

“You have be able to run the football to throw the football,” Tucker said. “Over the last couple of weeks our run game has improved. Guys are starting to understand what their responsibilities are. It’s just that continuity of having those same five (offensive line) guys play every week.”