For the third time in two years, Perry Lecompton defeated Hayden on Friday night and avenged their only loss of the season with a 20-7 dominating win. The Kaws held Hayden to less than 100 yards of total offense and only two first downs in the entire second half to improve to 9-1 on the season and advance to host Prairie View in the Class 3A quarterfinals next week.  

Thad Metcalfe ran for 121 yards on 36 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns as Perry took a 6-0 lead early in the game and then went ahead for good with his second rushing TD to start the fourth quarter and make the score 14-7. Hayden had a pair of turnovers in the fourth quarter, including a fumble with 28 seconds remaining that Jackson Payne scooped and scored for 18-yards to get the final margin. 

Perry had opportunities to win the game by four of five touchdowns but couldn't capatlize a few times in the redzone. After Hayden went three-and-out to start the game, the Kaws blocked the punt and took over at the Wildcats 35-yard-line only to stall on dows at the 21. Three plays later, Hayden had to punt again and the snap sailed over the head of Desmond Purnell who recovered it at the one before Metcalfe scored to go up 6-0 with 6:24 to play in the first quarter.  Trailing 7-6, the Kaws put together a 17-play drive just before half time and had first and goal-to-go at the five, but failed to punch the ball in and trailed 7-6 at intermission.  

 Hayden took the lead on an impressive 19-play drive that was sparked by going for a fourth down and five inside their own 30-yard-line before Will Devader scored on a three-yard run. The Cats got five of their nine first downs and 83 on their 98 total yards in the game on that drive, but couldn't hang on to the lead and had four drives without a first down before turning the ball over twice in the fourth quarter. 

Hayden ran for 92 yards on 34 carries and struggled mightily throwing the football just 5-11 for six yards passing. Purnell was held to a team high 48 yards on 14 carries while Devader added 39 yards rushing before Hayden ended their season and 7-2 with a super senior class of 18, including 11 starters.  

Perry Lecompton finished with 200 yards of offense as Metcalfe was 7-13 passing for 57 yards besides his 121 rushing total. Dawson WIlliams had five receptions for 42 yards and Reichen Rush added 22 yards on the ground. Jaxson Folks intercepted a pass four plays after Perry took a 14-7 lead early in the fourth period. He had made a tackle for loss on a reverse handoff the play before. 

Not only was Perry playing their seventh game without all state quarterback, BIlly Welch, but they found out before the game they would also be without top receiver and cornerback, Parker Stone, who is also the team punter, and their biggest starting lineman on both sides of the football in Jeremiah Monroe. Both players were quarantined for this game. Yet, the Kaws showed so much grit and toughness in overcoming adversity as they have all season and winning their second straight road playoff game against a quality opponent, led by thier phenominal team defense.

Wesley Monaghan had a great game up front and was named the Giant Communications "Lineman of the Game," while Metcalfe took "Player to Bank on" honors from the Citizens State Bank and Trust Company in Hiawatha. That linebacking core of Ryley Besley, Hayden Robb, Jaxson Folks and Metcalfe is truly fantastic while Brad Robb played great stepping in for Stone at corner and also picked a couple passes and Dawson Williams had a huge game at safety, as well as punter and receiver. Sean Urban, Hunter Hess and Cam Jeter also had a huge night on defense.   

The win for Perry avenges a 10-0 loss to Hayden three weeks ago and puts the Kaws in a home quarterfinal game next Friday versus Prairie View (8-1), who was a 13-12 winner against Girard. Perry's 3A Playoff run and quest to return to the state championship game will continue to be broadcast live on KNZA 103.9 FM and www.mscsports.net