By NICHOLAS GAINEY
Special to TopSports.news
EUDORA -- The Hayden Wildcats opened their 2024 football campaign on Friday with a 35-7 win over the Eudora Cardinals at the Eudora District Stadium.
Junior Kade Mitchell rushed for 81 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns in Hayden's 35-7 non-league win at Eudora Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier threw for 277 yards and a TD in the Wildcats' 35-7 win at Eudora Friday night. [File photo/TSN]
After winning the coin toss and deferring to the second half, the Wildcats came away with the football after a botched snap on the Cardinals’ first offensive play. However, the Cardinal defense held firm and forced a turnover on downs to keep Hayden off the scoreboard.
Hayden and Eudora would remain scoreless after the first quarter, but the Wildcats would break the deadlock with a 5-yard touchdown run from Kade Mitchell in the second quarter.
Hayden would add another score before halftime courtesy of a 1-yard touchdown run from Broderick Desch.
The Wildcats would open up a 21-0 lead early in the third quarter after a 6-yard run from Jackson McGivern. The Cardinals would show some signs of life when Errol Siemon broke free for a 14-yard touchdown, but Hayden would answer with a 26-yard run from Mitchell, his second touchdown of the night.
The Wildcats would put the finishing touches on their opening-night win in the fourth quarter with a one-handed grab from junior Connor Hanika.
Senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier led the Hayden aerial attack, going 16 of 21 passing for 277 yards and one touchdown.
Jensen Schrickel hauled in six catches for 87 yards to lead the Wildcats, who had seven players record receptions. Mitchell led Hayden in rushing, earning 81 yards on 13 carries with two touchdowns.
Eudora quarterback Connor Watson ran the ball 16 times for 91 yards, while Siemon tallied 78 yards on 17 carries.
Despite his team’s slow start, Hayden coach Bill Arnold was pleased with his squad’s performance and results.
“It’s the first game of the year. You’re not going to be a polished product right now, and we’ve laid a foundation tonight,” Arnold said. “We have lots of things to improve on.''
Hayden players were happy to celebrate the win, but after coming up short in last season’s Class 3A state championship game, Wahlmeier knows the work is just beginning.
“I’m obviously happy after tonight’s win, but the biggest jump for us is going to be week one to week two,” Wahlmeier said. “Coming up short last year just gives us a whole new motivation, because we know how to get there, we just gotta finish.”
Hayden will play its first home game of the 2024 campaign when it hosts the St. Michael the Archangel Guardians (Mo.) next Friday.
HAYDEN 35, EUDORA 7
Hayden (1-0) 0 14 14 7 – 35
Eudora (0-1) 0 0 7 0 – 7
Hayden -- Mitchell 5 run (Becker kick)
Hayden -- Desch 1 run (Becker kick)
Hayden -- McGivern 6 run (Becker kick)
Eudora -- Siemon14 run (Moody kick)
Hayden -- Mitchell 26 run (Becker kick)
Hayden -- Hanika 7 pass from Wahlmeier (Becker kick)
Individual statistics
Rushing – Hayden: Mitchell 13-81, McGivern 7-38, Schrickel 3-19, Desch 4-14, Heinen 1-2, Wahlmeier 3-(minus)-22. Eudora: Watson 16-91, Siemon 17-78, Moody 8-14, VanDonge 1-1.
Passing – Hayden: Wahlmeier 16-21-0, 277 yards. Eudora: Watson 3-7-0, 60yards.
Receiving – Hayden: Schrickel 6-87, Heinen 2-69, Mitchell 2-27, McGivern 1-27, Hanika 4-26, Desch 1-21, Tetuan 1-20. Eudora: Jarrett 1-32, VanDonge 1-16, Hagen1-12.
