MANHATTAN — The Manhattan Tigers are 4-0 on the season and their quarterback, senior Caden Holgate, is leading the Tigers on offense.
He's completing 73 percent of his passes with 11 touchdowns and only one interception.
“I got time to throw it because of the line," Caden said. "The line’s been doing a great job in the pass game. We just got players who make big plays. We just have all these different weapons that we can go to.”
However, he’s not the only Holgate on the team. His brother Cal, who graduated from Manhattan in 2018, played at Minot State and Montana State University-Northern.
“In college I got a few injuries that were kind of keeping me off the field, and I thought I would come back home and be more successful coaching than on the field,” said Cal.
Cal is now the wide receivers coach for the Tigers
“At the time, I thought it would be hard (to stop playing), but I’m still around football," he said. "That’s the big thing, I like being around football -- coaching is just as fun.”
Cal starred as a wide receiver for Manhattan, which set the bar high for Caden.
“It’s tough, he was a good player," said Caden. "He did a lot of big things here, has like six records or something. I don’t play the same position or try to live up to that, but it’s cool.”
But there’s also another family member. Their father, Eddy, is also an assistant coach on the team.
“(I'm) pretty fortunate to coach both my boys," said Eddy. "Being here in Manhattan, it’s something that every dad would want to have a chance to do, it’s a pretty neat deal. I’m just proud of my boys, I’m glad they have the opportunity to play for this program (and head coach Chris Grabowska). They’ve excelled.”
For Caden, playing for his dad and brother has to be fun, right?
“It’s kind of fun. It’s a little frustrating at times, for sure, but I enjoy it,” the senior quarterback said.
What does Eddy think has made Caden so successful this year at quarterback?
“He’s a free safety, so that helps getting reads from the defense and he’s reading the field really well right now,” said Eddy.
With a successful team comes high expectations, but Caden is ready to get his team back to the Class B state championship game after last year's runner-up finish.
"There’s been a little pressure here and there, but I’m kind of excited to be in this position. It’s nice and I’m enjoying it," said Caden.
