By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Traditional state football power Hayden is in very unfamiliar territory after dropping a 49-28 Homecoming decision to St. Mary's South Side, Mo. on Friday night to fall to 0-4 on the season.
Hayden sophomore Jairus Todwong rushed for 97 yards and scored two TDs and a 2-point conversion in Friday's 49-28 loss to St. Mary's South Side. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
But with the start of Class 3A district play looming next week, the Wildcats long-term goals are still very much within reach and veteran Hayden coach Bill Arnold said that's what his team has to hang its hat on moving forward.
"I thought our kids played hard and we didn't quit, and that bodes well because a couple of weeks ago I didn't feel like we finished the game,'' Arnold said. "So our seniors have stepped up and they understand where we're at.
"And at the same time I really don't like being on this end of the stick, but if you look at it, it's a new season and I'll be honest with you, we're making improvements.''
Because of transporation issues that St. Mary's South Side experienced traveling from St. Louis, Mo. Friday's game was 75 minutes late starting, but those issues didn't faze the Dragons, who turned in a dominating performance once they arrived in Topeka.
St. Mary's, which improved to 3-2, never trailed after scoring the first 14 points of the game and scored on four pass plays of between 22 and 54 yards while also forcing four Hayden turnovers, including returning a pair of interceptions for touchdowns.
"We're our own worst enemy,'' Arnold said of the Wildcats' miscues. "Those are things you've got to shore up. Otherwise you're probably not going to be in too many games.
"We've got some individuals who have got to grow up at a faster rate than what they probably should.''
St. Mary's freshman quarterback Jakhori Battle connected with senior Greg Hollis on 22 and 52-yard touchdown strikes while also hitting senior Caleb Harris for a game-opening 48-yard score and sophomore Ric'Khy McCaw for a 54-yard TD, finishing the night 10 of 16 for 209 yards.
The Dragons also got a 26-yard touchdown run from junior Milano Mitchell while McCaw scored on a 60-yard interception return and sophomore Montelle Lomax Jr. had a 23-yard pick six.
Sophomore Jairus Todwong had a big night for Hayden, carrying the ball 18 times for 97 yards and scoring on 13 and 2-yard runs while also catching a 2-point conversion pass from junior Ryker Tetuan.
Hayden junior quarterback Ryker Tetuan (8) threw for 128 yards and a touchdown in Friday's 49-28 home loss to St. Mary's South Side. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Hayden also scored on a 21-yard pass from Tetuan to senior Mason Becker and a 1-yard TD plunge from senior Jace Wolff.
Senior Logan Power had seven catches for 88 yards.
Hayden officially re-named its football stadium Tom Stringer Family Stadium Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Family members gathered on the football field Friday for the dedication of Tom Stringer Family Stadium. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
At halftime Hayden officially re-named its stadium Tom Stringer Family Stadium in honor of its legendary coach, who passed away in 2025.
The Wildcats will be back at home next Friday to host Baldwin in their district opener.
ST. MARY'S SOUTH SIDE 49, HAYDEN 28
St. Mary's South Side (3-2) 14 21 0 14 -- 49
Hayden (0-4) 8 0 7 13 -- 28
St. Mary's -- Harris 48 pass from Battle (G. Hollis kick)
St. Mary's -- G. Hollis 22 pass from Battle (G. Hollis kick)
Hayden -- Todwong 13 run (Todwong pass from Tetuan)
St. Mary's -- G. Hollis 52 pass from Battle (G. Hollis kick)
St. Mary's -- Mitchell 26 run (G. Hollis kick)
St. Mary's -- McCaw 60 interception return (G. Hollis kick)
Hayden -- Becker 21 pass from Tetuan (Becker kick)
St. Mary's -- Lomax Jr. 23 interception return (G. Hollis kick)
Hayden -- Wolff 1 run (run failed)
St. Mary's -- McCaw 54 pass from Battle (Hollis kick)
Hayden -- Todwong 2 run (Becker kick)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing -- St. Mary's: Mitchell 16-79, G. Hollis 1-6, Brooks 1-2, Frazier 1-0, Battle 2-(minus)-3, Conner 1-(minus)-4, Team 1-(minus)-2. Hayden: Todwong 18-97, Wolff 9-75, Becker 8-48, Huntley 6-27, Power 1-14, Tetuan 3-(minus)-4.
Passing -- St. Mary's: Battle 10-16-0, 209 yards. Hayden: Tetuan 15-26-2, 128.
Receiving -- St. Mary's: Frazier 4-29, G. Hollis 2-74, McCaw 1-54, Harris 1-48, Moore 1-3, Mitchell 1-1. Hayden: Power 7-88, Wilson 3-8, Becker 2-28, Wolff 2-6, Todwong 1-16.
Punting -- St. Mary's: M. Hollis 2-40.5. Hayden: Becker 1-50.0; Tetuan 1-33.0.
