By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden entered Friday's Class 3A state semifinal against Santa Fe Trail without injured senior Kade Mitchell, one of its top players on offense, defense and special teams.
But Mitchell's teammates quickly picked up the slack, none more than junior Mason Becker, as Hayden rolled to its third straight state title game appearance with a 46-0 home romp past previously-unbeaten Santa Trail.
Hayden's seniors celebrate the Wildcats' Class 3A sub-state championship after Friday's 46-0 win over Santa Fe Trail. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Taking over for Mitchell at halfback, Becker rushed for 201 yards on 14 carries, including touchdown runs of 53 and 65 yards, while also kicking a 25-yard field and three of three extra points and completing a 2-point conversion pass, as Hayden reeled off its 12th straight victory.
Hayden junior Mason Becker ran for 201 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Friday's 46-0 Class 3A semifinal victory over Santa Fe Trail. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
"Kade's a good player, he's a competitor out there, but Mason's grown into it,'' Hayden coach Bill Arnold said. "He's got some speed and he does a really, really good job of reading the blocks in front of him, probably better than anybody else on the team, honestly.
"I'm proud of them. We've got some good players out here that are in a situation where they've got seniors in front of them with the experience. They're all getting better and we've still got some room for growth, so we hope this next week we get some good practices in.''
Becker played running back earlier in his carrier, which helped make filling in for Mitchell an easy transition.
"I like it,'' Becker said. "I don't care. I can play anywhere, it doesn't matter to me.''
Hayden senior Jackson McGivern (36) scored the game's first touchdown in Friday's 46-0 win over Santa Fe Trail. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
After recovering Santa Fe Trail's onsides kick attempt to open the game, Hayden scored the only touchdown it would need on a 10-yard run from senior Jackson McGivern just 1:46 in the first quarter.
Hayden senior Makhi Kidd (5) celebrates his 28-yard TD reception from Connor Hanika in Friday's 46-0 win over Santa Fe Trail. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
An interception from senior Logan Saenz set up a one-play Wildcat scoring drive, a 28-yard TD strike from senior quarterback Connor Hanika to senior Makhi Kidd followed by a 2-point conversion to put Hayden in front 14-0.
After taking over on downs after Santa Fe Trail made a rare drive into Hayden territory, Becker burst loose for his 53-yard TD two plays later and hit junior Daniel Moore for a 2-point conversion and the rout was on.
"That was a big momentum switch,'' Becker said. "I saw the seam and I just went and scored.''
Hayden forced a Santa Fe Trail punt on the Chargers' next possession and senior Jude Krentz scored from a yard out (Becker kick) to cap the Wildcats' 29-point first-quarter onslaught with 10 seconds remaining.
The Wildcats tacked on Becker's 25-yard field goal with 38 seconds left in the half to put Hayden in command 32-0 at the break.
Krentz scored his second touchdown of the night on a 15-yard run midway through the third quarter before Becker ended the scoring on his 65-yard TD with 5:05 remaining, forcing a running clock the rest of the way.
Senior Julion Daniels led 11-1 Santa Fe Trail with 59 rushing yards on 14 attempts while junior Trevin Cox, one of three quarterbacks used by the Chargers, passed for 104 yards.
Santa Fe Trail starting quarterback Rigley Sleichter did not return after being injured in the first half.
With Friday's win Hayden advances to face 12-0 Andale, a 41-7 winner over Rock Creek, in the 3A championship game for the second straight season.
Hayden and Andale will square off at 6 p.m. Friday at Hutchinson Community College.
"They've got a great program down there,'' Arnold said of the Indians. "They do a fantastic job on both sides of the ball, but so do we, and I think if our kids will stay focused we'll go down there and we'll compete and that's what it's all about, give yourself an opportunity.''
HAYDEN 46, SANTA FE TRAIL 0
Santa Fe Trail (11-1) 0 0 0 0 -- 0
Hayden (12-0) 29 3 7 7-- 46
Hayden -- McGivern 10 run (pass failed)
Hayden -- Kidd 28 pass from Hanika (Branson pass from Hanika)
Hayden -- Becker 53 run (Moore pass from Becker)
Hayden -- Krentz 1 run (Becker kick)
Hayden -- Becker 25 FG
Hayden -- Krentz 15 run (Becker kick)
Hayden -- Becker 65 run (Becker kick)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing -- Santa Fe Trail: Daniels 14-59, Cox 9-34, Sleichter 4-10, Crotinger 8-5. Hayden: Becker 14-201, Krentz 9-40, McGivern 7-40, Power 1-10, Wolff 1-6.
Passing -- Santa Fe Trail: Cox 9-18-0, 104 yards; Sleichter 2-7-1, 20; Daniels 0-3-1, 0. Hayden: Hanika 3-8-2, 44.
Receiving -- Santa Fe Trail: Davis 4-51, Tantaros 4-32, Brooks 2-34, Hinck 1-7. Hayden: Kidd 1-28, Blasing 2-17.
Punting -- Santa Fe Trail: Daniels 5-27.6. Hayden: Becker 1-37.0.
