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Wildcats' quest for Class 3A title ends in 38-6 loss to perennial state champ Andale
By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
For the third year in a row, the Hayden Wildcats came up short in the state championship game at Hutchinson. And for the second consecutive year, the Wildcats hung close with Andale, only to see the game turn into a double-digit defeat late.
Kade Mitchell (25) scored Hayden's lone touchdown on a pass from Connor Hanika (3) in the Wildcats' 38-6 loss to Andale Friday in Hutchinson. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Hayden fell to the Indians by a score of 38-6 in Friday's Class 3A championship game Hutchinson Community College's Gowans Stadium, a rematch of the Wildcats' 36-19 loss to Andale a year ago.
The game got away from the Wildcats late, but the final score is misleading.
“Until the very end, we felt like we had a shot,” Hayden coach Bill Arnold said. “I felt like we would do really well defensively, and then we would give up a big play. We had opportunities early on. We didn’t capitalize on them.”
Hayden stopped Andale’s long opening drive at the 4-yard line. The Wildcats then ran off 16 plays, burning up the rest of the first period, flipping the field, but failing to produce points. Hayden was forced to punt, pinning the Indians at the 9-yard line. A couple of big plays brought Andale to the doorstep, where Indian quarterback Samuel Harp plunged in from the 1-yard line.
The Indians scored again just before the half and led 16-0 at the intermission.
The Wildcats temporarily took the momentum following the break, marching 69 yards on 11 plays and finishing the drive with a 7-yard scoring pass from Connor Hanika to Kade Mitchell.
Despite a failed attempt for two points, the scoring drive breathed life into the Wildcats. Three plays into the ensuing Andale drive, Hayden defensive back Mason Becker intercepted an Andale pass, giving the Wildcats the ball at midfield trailing by just 10 points.
But after moving to the Andale 35, Hayden mishandled a reverse, turning the ball over and squandering the momentum.
“We got a nice interception there and then we just turned the ball right back over,” Arnold said. “It’s uncharacteristic of our kids because we didn’t fumble the ball this year. I think (we had) maybe two fumbles the entire year.”
Hayden seniors Andrew Rohr (52), Jackson McGivern (36) and Xander Blasing (6) react at the end of Friday's 38-6 loss to Andale in the Class 3A state title game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
From that point on, it was all Andale. The Indians hammered out three quick touchdowns, turning a 16-6 struggle into a 38-6 rout as Andale won its sixth state crown over the past seven seasons.
Miscues foiled the Wildcats’ chances. Hayden turned the ball over twice on interceptions in addition to the lost fumble. The Wildcats generated just 245 total yards and were penalized for 55 yards.
“We played too inconsistent,” Arnold said. “We had some really good sets and some really good plays, and then we come back and fumble the ball here, or we’re slow getting in and out of the huddle, getting the calls. I don’t know exactly what happened there. But at the same time, you’ve got to tip your cap (to Andale). They’ve got a good program.”
Hayden junior Mason Becker (4) tackles Andale quarterback Samuel Harp in Friday's Class 3A state championship game at Hutchinson. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
The Indians capped their second straight undefeated season with a win over Hayden. And for the second year in a row, the Andale attack featured quarterback Harp. The senior raced for 144 yards on 17 carries and added three touchdowns to his total of 30 going into Friday. Andale outrushed Hayden 330 yards to 104.
Hayden senior Xander Blasing caught six passes for 67 yards in Friday's 38-6 loss to Andale in the Class 3A state championship game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
Hanika threw for 133 yards to lead senior-laden Hayden. Mitchell returned from a recent injury to provide 60 yards from scrimmage and several long kickoff returns. Xander Blasing caught six passes for 67 yards.
“We’ve got a great group of seniors and it’s sad that we weren’t able to finish off the right way for them tonight,” Arnold said. “This group of seniors, they work hard. They showed good leadership all year long, and we just came up short for them tonight.”
ANDALE 38, HAYDEN 6
Trojan boys open Robbie Sanders era with dominating 82-54 romp past Wamego
By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Topeka High graduate Robbie Sanders, a longtime assistant at Topeka High and Shawnee Heights, recorded his first victory as a head coach Thursday as his alma mater ran away from guest Wamego, 82-54.
Former Topeka High star Robbie Sanders notched his first win as a head coach Thursday night, with the Trojans rolling to an 82-54 win over Wamego. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The Trojans demonstrated some firepower they didn’t have a year ago when they won just one game against 19 losses. Thursday, Topeka High exploded out of the gate for 26 first-quarter points, then put up another 26 in the second period to lead 52-29 at the half.
“I’ve been waiting my whole life for this moment. I’m just so happy and proud to lead these guys in this program,” Sanders said. “I was emotional. I feel like I put a lot of work in over the years, and I’ve prepared for this moment. But my emotions… I struggled. I saw my dad. I saw my mom up there, and I almost lost it. I had to go back in the office and sit down for a little while.
“But I knew the guys were ready. I knew we would play pretty well, but they surprised the heck out of me by how hard they competed tonight.”
In the locker room, Sanders was presented the game ball by Topeka High administrators in recognition of his first victory. And he had some familiar faces – the Shawnee Heights team – in the stands behind him. Sanders even paused at halftime to shake the hands of the T-Birds in attendance and thank them for being there.
“That’s my family. I love those guys at Shawnee Heights, coach (Ken) Darting and all the players, and I was really happy to see them,” Sanders said. “It feels a little weird not coaching them anymore. But I love the guys that I got right now.”
Senior Bryson McComas scored a game-high 24 points Thursday as Topeka High opened its season with an 82-54 win over Wamego. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Sanders started five seniors who combined for 69 of the Trojans’ 82 points. Bryson McComas led the team with 24 points, with Elisha Guest and Jalen Aldridge tossing in 16 and 15, respectively.
“These seniors believed. They never gave up,” Sanders said. “Any of them could have tried to quit, transfer, go somewhere else and see greener pastures. They believed in each other. They believed in me.”
No. 2-ranked Washburn men to host Ottawa in final tuneup for start of MIAA play
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The No. 2-ranked Washburn Ichabods will host the Ottawa Braves at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Lee Arena in their final tuneup up before opening MIAA play next week.
Washburn is 7-0 after rolling to a 105-51 win over Friends on Tuesday while Ottawa is 5-3 this season after dropping an 84-69 decision to McPherson in its last outing.
Former Washburn Rural star Jack Bachelor is averaging a team-high 17.4 points and 5.0 assists for 7-0 Washburn men's basketball. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN
After facing an NAIA foe for the second straight game on Saturday, Washburn will open its MIAA season next Thursday against Nebraska-Kearney and next Saturday against Fort Hays State, with both games in Lee Arena.
"The good thing about this week is we're able to focus a little bit more on ourselves and it's a little more self-scouting than it is on the opponent,'' Washburn coach Brett Ballard said. "We've got to respect those guys, but this has been good to hopefully use this practice time to tighten things up.''
"We look at every day as you're getting better or you're getting worse,'' junior Jack Bachelor said. "So taking steps in practice, taking steps in games and just working together and keep getting better as a team and individually is our goal because we know this MIAA conference is the best in the country, so there's going to be no off nights.''
Washburn's players also got the chance to take a short Thanksgiving break from Wednesday afternoon until returning to practice on Friday.
"This is a little bit of a time for them to re-charge,'' Ballard said. "It's a quick break, but a little bit of a re-charge for the players.''
Both Bachelor and sophomore Dillon Claussen have cracked double figures in all seven games this season and sneior Bryson Smith has scored no fewer than 12 points in each of the last six games, including 22 points in a win over Rockhurst.
Bachelor is averaging a team-high 17.4 points and 5.0 assists while shooting 88.9 percent from the free throw line.
Claussen is averaging 16.4 points and 7.3 rebounds.
Claussen led the way with 19 points against Friends, shooting 9 of 11 from the field while adding six rebounds, two steals, and a block. Bachelor followed with 16 points, six assists, five steals, and three rebounds, while hitting four 3-pointers, and Smith added 14 points, three assists, and three steals.
