By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden posted its second straight rout Friday night to open the 2024 football season, rolling to a 42-14 win over St. Michael Archangel (Mo.) in the Wildcats' home opener.
Hayden junior Kade Mitchell had a 90-yard kickoff return for a TD and also topped the 100-yard rushing mark in the Wildcats' 42-14 win over St. Michael Archangel. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
Senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier threw for three touchdowns in Hayden's 42-14 win over St. Michael Archangel Friday night. [Photo by Kyle Manthe/Special to TSN]
Hayden dominated the first quarter, not allowing St. Michael a first down until the first series of the second quarter.
Hayden opened its scoring in the first quarter on a six-play, 50-yard drive, with Jett Wahlmeier's 5-yard jump pass to Xander Blasing. The Wildcats added a 2-point conversion to to go up, 8-0.
The Wildcats got a second-series touchdown on a 2-yard TD run from Jackson McGivern. The Wildcats added the extra point kick to take a 15-0 lead.
Hayden took a 21-0 lead in the second quarter on a 16-yard pass from Wahlmeier to Jensen Schrickel.
St. Micheal got on the board on an 85-yard pass from Gage Burgess to Bryon Buster. Schrickel deflected the pass but Buster was able to catch it and sprint to the end zone. The Guardians added the extra point to cut their deficit to 21-7.
Hayden answered right back, however, with junior Kade Mitchell going 90 yards on the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. Mason Becker added the kick to give Hayden a 28-7 lead.
Luis Tellado scored on a 2-yard run for St. Michael to cap a 15-play drive, getting the Guardians within 28-14.
Wahlmeier connected on a 17-yard pass from Wahlmeier to Brady Heinen (Becker kick) to give Hayden a 35-14 halftime advantage and Broderick Desch scored on a 44-yard run to open the second half, giving the Wildcats their final 42-14 margin.
Mitchell rushed for 116 yards in addition to the 90-yard kickoff return while Desch had 54 rushing yards.
