It really can’t any bigger than this in the regular season. When the Hayden Wildcats and the Holton Wildcats butt heads tonight in Holton, it will be a match up of Class 4A’s No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams. “This will be the largest crowd these two teams have played in front of this year,” Hayden head coach Bill Arnold said. “It’s a tremendous situation for these kids to be in. It’s district, but it’s not a do or die situation. I believe both teams will probably be in the playoffs, but more than anything it comes down to a pride factor.” The two rivals are meeting for the first time since 2005 when Holton bested Hayden 41-0 in the state semifinals. Holton has won four of the past five meetings. “This is clearly a big game,” Holton head coach Brooks Barta said. “It will be the focus of the area and is one both teams are looking forward to. This may be a game to see where you’re at before the playoffs.” Both teams are coming off big wins from the first week of districts. Hayden stomped previously unbeaten Royal Valley 54-0, and Holton crushed Wamego 55-0. Hayden opened the season with a 7-6 loss to 6A’s second-ranked Manhattan Indians. Since then, Hayden (6-1, 1-0 district) has posted wins against some of the best 6A and 5A teams in the state. “I’m happy with the progress that we’ve made,” Arnold said. “The kids have come out and competed each week. The Centennial League has been very competitive this year. I think it’s helped us. We’ve seen some phenomenal athletes each week.” Hayden boasts some talented athletes as well with Alec Steuber rushing for 552 yards on 79 carries. “He’s a key player for us on both sides of the football,” Arnold said. “Brings toughness and a burning desire to win. He runs the ball well and has great leadership. A will to win is contagious, and he’s got it.” Hayden also has worked to develop the passing game. Quarterback Grant Arnold completed 9 of 14 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown in last week’s win against Royal Valley. However, defense is where Hayden wins games. Class 4A’s top-ranked team has limited opponents to eight points or less four times this season. “They kind of build their team around defense,” Barta said. “They really hustle to the ball and are hard to block.” The goal of Hayden’s defense this week will be to slow down Holton running back Gunner McKenna, who has rushed for more than 700 yards this season. He has displayed great explosion, returning a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown last week against Wamego. However, Holton’s wishbone offense isn’t limited to McKenna. Holton has had six players produce 100-yard rushing games. Like Hayden, Holton lost its opener to a 6A school - falling 33-22 to Topeka High - but has run the table since then. “It’s a typical Holton team,” Arnold said. “Coach Barta has been there a long time and does a great job. They are good up front, and they have backs who run extremely hard.” The game will likely decide the winner of 4A West District 9. The loser will need to win in the final week to make the playoffs. If either team has an advantage, it may be that Holton is at home. “We have kind of a unique facility where everyone is packed in close,” Barta said. “We expect a large crowd. It should be an exciting football game.”
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