Welcome to Top Sports News

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

Hayden took another step in resurrecting its season from an 0-4 start by steamrolling visiting Perry-Lecompton 42-13 Friday.

Hayden junior quarterback Ryker Tetuan (8) threw for 61 yards in Friday's 42-13 home district win over Perry-Lecompton. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Rather than pack it in after a winless month of September, the Wildcats regrouped behind a backup quarterback to get in the win column against Baldwin last Friday. Utilizing two quarterbacks against Perry-Lecompton, the Hayden defense throttled the Kaws, and the offense took advantage of short fields to rack up points.

After a scoreless first period in which both teams put together long drives resulting in no points, Hayden’s defense clamped down in the second quarter. The Wildcats held Perry-Lecompton without a first down in the period and utilized good field position to post three touchdowns in quick succession.

The Wildcats started the game with sophomore Grant Lenherr at quarterback. Lenherr, who played the entire game against Baldwin the previous week in place of junior Ryker Tetuan, went up top for a 37-yard scoring strike to Logan Power to put Hayden on the board.

After forcing the Kaws to punt from deep in their own territory, Hayden had just 33 yards to go for another touchdown. Coach Bill Arnold inserted Tetuan for the drive, and the Wildcats marched quickly to a second score, this one on a 10-yard run by Evan Huntley to put Hayden up 14-0 halfway through the second period.

Senior Logan Power scored a pair of touchdowns in Friday's 42-13 Hayden district win over Perry-Lecompton. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Hayden held the Kaws to another three-and-out, and just three plays later, Power scored his second touchdown, this time on a 10-yard end around.

“I felt like we came out tonight a little flat, unfortunately. But then things got rolling there after we got that first touchdown,” Arnold said. “I thought we dominated up front, which is a good thing, because we’re still fairly young up there.”

Hayden senior Mason Becker rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown on six carries in Friday's 42-13 district win over Perry-Lecompton. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN[

Touchdown runs by Mason Becker and Jace Wolff padded Hayden’s lead in the second half.

Arnold said it was by design that Tetuan replaced Lenherr in the second quarter. Tetuan completed six of his eight throws in his return to the offense. Lenherr completed all three of his attempts, including the touchdown strike to open the game.

“That was the plan,” Arnold said. “Grant did a good job last week and Ryker’s coming off an injury and we wanted to get him worked back in there.”

“It never feels good to be on the sidelines. It never feels good to see your guys go out there without you,” said Tetuan, who was forced out by a shoulder injury. “But you always support them and want them to do their best whether you’re out there or not. And I was very proud of how Grant went out there and did his job.

“It felt great to be back out there with my guys. There’s no better feeling.”

What looked dismal two weeks ago suddenly appears hopeful for the Wildcats. They improved to 2-0, in a commanding position in the Class 3A District 3 race. Hayden travels to Santa Fe Trail next Friday, before hosting Bishop Ward on Oct. 23. Ward was recently forced to forfeit back-to-back games due to a lack of players.

Arnold said the Wildcats have stayed positive and made continuous improvement despite adversity this season.

“I think these guys have been making progress all year long,” Arnold said. “You don’t always see it on the scoreboard, but at the same time, they never folded their tents.”

“I know my guys,” Tetuan said. “I know we’re willing to put the hard work in, to do what we need to do. We just want to get better so we can win.”

For Perry-Lecompton, senior Kayden Baker produced several big plays in the losing effort. His 43-yard reception set up his two-yard scoring run. Then he hauled in a long pass from quarterback AJ Campbell for a 62-yard touchdown reception.

The Kaws dropped to 3-3, 1-2 in Class 3A District 3.

HAYDEN 42, PERRY-LECOMPTON 13

Read more …

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Traditional MIAA and NCAA Division II stalwart Pittsburg State is an uncharacteristic 1-4 entering Saturday's 12 p.m. Hall of Fame contest against Washburn University in Yager Stadium.

Washburn quarterback Logan Madden has passed for 1,279 yards and 10 touchddowns through five games, helping the Ichabods get off to a 3-1-1 record to the 2026 season. [File photo/TSN]

But the Ichabods, 3-1-1 overall and 2-1 in the MIAA, are more focused on playing well and continuing their solid play to start the 2026 campaign than they are the opponent.

"We tell our guys every week we're playing a nameless, faceless opponent,'' Washburn coach Zach Watkins said. "It doesn't matter who you're playing, what color jerseys  they wear or what their team name is, we have an opponent on Saturday and we have a seven-day season process that we work through to play that game.

"Their record doesn't matter, who you're playing doesn't matter. You can't take any MIAA team lightly and we never will. It's going to be a really good game and we have to play to win.''  

Washburn was off last week after not allowing an offensive touchdown by Nebraska-Kearney last time out in a 42-7 road win over the Lopers.

"You can't ask for a better bye week smack dab in the middle of the season, so I think it was good,'' Washburn quarterback Logan Madden said. "Obviously we're rolling, so you don't want to take that momentum away, but I don't that will hinder us to be honest.

"I think we had a really good plan with the bye week and got our guys the rest that needed it, guys that needed to shore up some individual things we got that done, so I thought it was perfect.''

The Gorillas (1-4, 1-2) are coming off a 34-27 overtime win over the Lopers on Oct. 3 in Kearney.

Pitt State is in a stretch of four games away from Carnie Smith Stadium and has not played a home game since a 21-10 loss to Emporia State on Sept. 5.

The Gorillas lead the all-time series with Washburn 67-27-1 and have won the last four meetings after the Ichabods won the previous four before that. Overall the teams have split the last 10 meetings.

WU's Madden is 28th in the nation in total passing yards at 1,279 and he is 19th in passing yards per game at 255.8.

Madden has completed 101 of 173 passes with 10 touchdowns.

Tre Calhoun leads the Ichabods with 28 catches for 384 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 13.7 yards per catch and 76.8 yards per game.

Against Nebraska-Kearney Quinton Renfro and Cam Robinson became the first pair of Ichabods to rush for over 100 yards in the same game since Justin Cooper (111) and Sean McPherson (102) both hit the century mark against Fort Hays State on Oct. 29, 2011.

Robinson scored two touchdowns in the same game for the first time in his Washburn career and his 19 rushing attempts and 108 rushing yards were career highs.

The Ichabod defense is tied for the national lead with eight fumble recoveries with West Alabama and Western Colorado.

Washburn returns to the road next week to face Central Missouri, starting a string of two straight road games. The Ichabods will travel to Fort Hays State on Oct. 24.

Washburn's next home game will be on Oct. 31 in a Halloween Homecoming contest against Missouri Western.
 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

It's probably safe to say that everybody associated with the Washburn University football program is excited about the big jump the Ichabods have made this fall.

Jayden Norman

And that's especially true for former Topeka High standout wide receiver Jayden Norman, who has earned considerable playing time as a redshirt freshman for the 3-1-1 Ichabods. 

It was clear through his four high school seasons that the 6-foot, 195-pound Norman had considerable talent, but the Trojans struggled as a team throughout his prep career, posting an 8-28 overall record, including a pair of 1-8 campaigns and a 2-7 season.

Norman isn't sure if the lack of team success scared off some of the college recruiters, but it doesn't matter because he still ended up where he wanted to be.

"I do not feel like it really hurt me; I was still the same player,'' Norman said. "I feel like some of the coaches maybe didn't look at me as much because of the losing seasons, but it's all good. I'm glad I'm here right now and just doing well right now.''

When Washburn came calling, Norman said his college decision was an easy one.

"Yes it was,'' he said. "I know it sounds cliche, but Washburn really did feel like home. The coaching staff did a great job of recruiting, the facilities are great, and it's awesome here.''

A multi-time All-Centennial and All-Shawnee County honoree for the Trojans, Norman redshirted his freshman season at WU, which helped get him ready to become a contributor this season. 

"It helped a lot, just getting developed and learning from the older guys,'' he said. "It was great. I did get hurt the last half of the season -- torn meniscus -- but I'm healthy now and it feels good being back.''

Norman has caught six passes for 62 yards thus far, including four passes for 46 yards against MIAA power Northwest Missouri. 

"I've worked so hard for these opportunities and just blessed to keeping getting more of them and can't wait to take advantage of them,'' Norman said.

"Obviously winning more feels good, being part of a winning season. It's just great getting developed and I just want to take advantage of all opportunities.'' 

Washburn coach Zach Watkins said Norman is very deserving of his chance to contribute for the Ichabods.

"His athletic ability and work ethic falls in line with being a really good player now, and moving forward,'' Watkins said. "He's so young in his career, but our program is all about development and he's developed in a big way from when he first got here to now.

"Now it's his first game experience and he's made some big plays in some of our early games and he'll have an increased role this last half of this season and then springboard into future years.

 "Like anything, it takes reps to be perfect at something, but when you're a great kid with great character, great work ethic, very intelligent, good student and all that stuff, you can say it one time and is usually gets done or tries to get done. I'm looking forward to see how he developes moving forward.''

Following a bye week, Norman and the Ichabods will return to action at 12 p.m. Saturday against Pittsburg State in Yager Stadium.