By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Jett Wahlmeier was extremely proud of the run his Hayden teammates made to the Class 3A state championship game last season.
Hayden senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier (7) has passed for 1,890 yards and 21 TDs this fall while throwing just one interception. [File photo/TSN]
However, watching from the sidelines was zero fun for the 5-foot-9, 192-pound quarterback, who missed the final four games of the year after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.
"It was Week 9 against Baldwin, the very first round of the playoffs,'' Wahlmeier said. "It was a draw up the middle for me and the corner came off the side and just got me really good with his helmet on my (left, throwing) shoulder.''
The injury required surgery on his labrum and relegated Wahlmeier to being a cheerleader for the remainder of the 2023 season as sophomore Connor Hanika took over at QB and helped the Wildcats win three straight playoff contests to reach the state final.
"It was torture, it was awful,'' Wahlmeier said about watching from the sidelines. "I obviously believe in Connor because he's able in every way, but you know you could help, you could just go in there and help.''
The hardest part was suffering through Hayden's 34-7 title-game loss to Cheney in a blizzard in Hutchinson.
"I was obviously happy we were winning games, but that last game watching my guys go out there, that second half was just brutal,'' Wahlmeier said.
As soon as he was cleared, Wahlmeier went to work to get prepared for his senior season.
"I got back in May to do all our camps and right when we started preparing for this season,'' Wahlmeier said. "It didn't feel 100 percent, but I was still pushing myself. June or July is when I really felt like myself again.''
Wahlmeier has responded with an outstanding '24 season, helping lead Hayden to an 11-1 record, including a 35-7 sub-state road victory over previously-unbeaten Wellsville last Friday.
Wahlmeier has completed 118 of 177 passes (.667 percent) for 1,890 yards and 21 touchdowns while throwing just one interception.
Senior quarterback Jett Wahlmeier (7) and the Hayden football team will take an 11-1 record into Saturday's Class 3A state championship game at Hutchinson. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden coach Bill Arnold, a former college quarterback, gives Wahlmeier high marks for his performance for the Wildcats.
"He's had a really smart career,'' Arnold said. "Honestly, it's a comfort from the standpoint that you don't have to overload anybody. He takes it all in and he goes out and makes the plays. Of course he makes some mistakes, but I feel like we're usually on the same page. Most of the time all I've got to do is give him a look and he knows what I'm talking about.
"He's thrown the ball well. He's got some really good receivers to throw the ball to, but at the same time you've still got to make the read and he quarterbacks the team. We're going to go as he goes.''
Said Wahlmeier: "I'm happy with it, but obviously there's still room for improvement in every single game. When we go back and watch film, you can always correct things and make things better.''
Now the aim for Wahlmeier and the Wildcats is to end the season with a bang in Saturday's Saturday's 12 p.m. championship game at Hutchinson Community College's Gowans Stadium. Hayden will face 12-0 Andale, a 55-14 semifinal winner over Holcomb.
"My goal was to get back right where we are right now and win it this time,'' Wahlmeier said.
