After beating Hayden for the second time this season, the Perry Lecompton Kaws are headed to their second state football title game in school history (1980).  The Kaws rallied from an early 14-0 deficit to top the Wildcats 35-27 and will face undefeated Andale next Saturday in Hutchinson vying for their first State 3A Championship.

Desmond Purnell ran for a pair of early scores as Hayden led 14-0 before Perry scored 21 straight points and took their first lead in the third quarter with a Billy Welch to Parker Stone 15-yard TD pass.  Purnell again found the endzone to tie the score at 21 later in the third period but early in the fourth frame, Welch again his Stone who broke free down the sideline for a long touchdown to put Perry back ahead 28-21.  Hayden answered as Cade Pavlik, filling in for inured QB Johnny Holloway tossed a 10-yard TD strike but the PAT was blocked.  Thad Metcalfe returned the ensuing kickoff deep into Hayden territory and added his second touchdown of the night moments later for the final margin of 35-27.

Hayden ended their season 10-2 with both losses against Perry, including a 21-20 overtime loss earlier this year.  

Metcalfe ran for 87 yards and Welch threw for 233 yards and a trio of scores for the third straight game. Perry forced a pair of defensive takeaways to improve their season record to 9-3. Welch has now thrown for over 2,200 yards and 26 touchdowns in his junior campaign while classmate Metcalfe pushed his season rushing total past 1,300 and closed in on a 2,000 yard all purpose campaign.     

Perry will face Andale on Saturday at 1PM in Hutchinson for the 3A Championship and try to keep the championship trophy in the Big 7 League after Sabetha won the title the past two years. Andale is 12-0 after beating Cheney 55-20 in the semifinals and back in state for the fifth time overall (all in the last 13 years) and first time since 2017.